The Argosy — page 226: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Caterina. 207. had not been present; but Vrow Steen merely said, as she got up slowly from the floor: ‘‘ Evil will come to Teresa through that Italian : she is not as she should be. Ask the old Mynheer’s Truda, a prudent, religious woman, whose husband was burnt for the faith in the dark days that are gone " “Hush, wife,” thundered Hans. ‘“ We all had relatives martyred in those evil days; but that is no reason why we should turn persecutors ; and our mistress offends no man—the little oratory in her bed-chamber ———” ‘Fool, idiot of a man, thou hast learnt thy parrot song from the Captain. I’m not talking of the lady’s popery, but of her sorcery. She is able to call our daughter to her side without speaking one word. It is useless for me to set her tasks. She is up and away, and the excuse is that she feels sure madame wants her. ‘This much is certain, the Italian can draw her away from her duty, and keep her whole days in that bedroom, and what they do there heaven only knows. ‘Truda says ———” Teresa and her lover had withdrawn, and were whispering in the doorway. ‘And thou wilt be gone to-morrow? Cruel to leave me, and to brave the horrors of those icy seas!” said Teresa, laying her hands upon his shoulders. ‘“‘ Ay, dear, I must go. Could I desert my noble Captain, and our good ship ?” “Thou lovest them more than me.” ‘Not so, darling. We'll be home again in autumn, and I'll take thee to our own house where none shall scold thee. I’ll bring bear- skins home and fine wages, and thou shalt dress in brocades like madame if thou wilt.” “But thy perils! The white bears, the crashing icebergs—the bitter cold! Oh, do not go—I’ll hide thee, and the Orange shall sail without thee.” “No, no!” ‘“What do madame or I care for good wages or brocades, or glory or fatherland ei” “Hush, love, hush! Is not our country dear to thee?” and he stopped her words with kisses. Meanwhile the parents were reconciled over their supper. ‘The soup was excellent, so were the fish and “ Zuyckes-Koicken,” or sweet cake, the crowning dish of the repast ; and Hans had a good appetite. “Come, lest I eat all before me. ‘Thou wilt not taste such a supper as this in the Polar seas, Jan, my boy. My vrow is unrivalled asa cook; not but that Teresa can do something in that way too: but she idles and dreams too much.” He was often angry with his wife for scolding Teresa, but her words had weight nevertheless. COnnicloookKks am