The Argosy — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

Caterina. 215 this time, but she must now speak out. ‘Do they call her so? Ah, then, the obstinate minx has destroyed herself. Speak low, she is overhead ——— ” | “But explain, vrow.. I will not be kept in the dark any longer. You women are so fond of mystery. Out with it at once.” “Well, then,” faltered the poor woman, “‘ our child has confessed to me that she takes a journey each time she visits the young mistress :; “What dost thou mean, idiot ? Speak plain, in God’s name.” “Be patient, Hans, or I can never tell thee. She says she goes to the ice plains where the Orange is hemmed in, and sees the Skipper and Jan, and is able to tell the mistress what they are doing.” “But that’ must be witchcraft, wife. I fear me old Truda has reason on her side. ‘Thinkest thou our wench invents these stories ?” “© And then,” she proceeded without noticing his question, “madame goes to her easel and paints what Teresa had told her: Our child is distraught indeed. She raves of a white bear, larger than any common bear, that she says is standing at the door of their hut, and I fear neighbour Van Rennen heard her, for he ‘4 The turmoil in the street began again. Voices were raised, and ominous words were heard. ‘The parents grew silent, shuddering. Like a bird of evil omen Truda now appeared in the doorway. She shut the door carefully, and said in a hoarse whisper, “ If you don’t keep Teresa silent I shall not be able to save her... Keep her away from that sorceress yonder, and make her hold her tongue, or I cannot answer for her life.” . » “ Shame,” said Hans; ‘‘art thou exciting the rabble against thy mistress ?” | | Truda gave a malicious grin. --“T cannot keep Teresa away from her,” said the mother. ‘‘ She swears that she must go when madame wishes for her.” ~“Tt looks like magic,” muttered the warehouseman. ‘‘ Let me see those pictures that the girl tells of.” ““ Come along, then, both of you. Madame is safe in the dining- room,'and her paintings are in the salon. She has no caution : she leaves them there to witness against her. Come.” And she went before them through the passage leading to the basement story of Heemskerk’s dwelling-house. She lighted a lamp in the kitchen, and, followed by two gaping servants as well as by the Steens, led the way to the salon. The long room looked gloomy enough to excuse the shiver that ran over the group as they raised the portitre, and went in. The substantial furniture was covered with Utrecht velvet of a sombre hue; the figures on the tapestry told of battle, murder, and sudden death; but the shiver was not caused by these objects, but by superstitious dread. Against the wall beneath the four tall narrow windows were ranged the paintings that told the whole GomilGcyaooks (S©) im