The Argosy — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

218 Caterina. he poured forth his fears for his son. He was becoming leaner and more hollow-eyed each day. An, anxious, sorrowful expression had become so habitual to him that Vrow Steen, hearing his step in the passage, expected to see him enter with his eyes upon the ground. Instead of this he came in looking por oe mingled rage and terror in his glare. ‘Van Rennen, what ails thee ?” cried the poor woman. Van Rennen’s look was threatening. ‘“ Tell me, hast thou seen that damned picture yonder—the picture in which the sorceress has painted my son as a corpse? Speak!” She hesitated, stuttered, and turned pale. ‘Speak out, woman! ‘Tell the truth, or [ll ‘““Come here, Hans!” she cried, escaping from him and running to the door. Hans hurried in from thie yard. ‘‘What’s up now?” he asked, staring from his wife to Van Rennen. Ma ‘‘ Matter enough,” and the angry man repeated what he had just said. ‘I tell thee she has painted my son stiff and dead, and being carried to his burial. Hast thou seen the wicked picture ? ” “Ay, neighbour, but, faith, Truda had little to do when she showed it to thee.” ‘Don’t tell his poor mother,” pleaded Babette. ‘Who knows but that her magic may have: killed my son?” con- tinued the angry father. ‘She shall die—her death warrant is out ) | already. Our Stadholder may be her friend, but. even he shall not save her.” The Steens shrank back ening. 3 aS hie saw the glare of mad rage in his eyes. ‘‘ Ay,” he repeated, ‘“‘ she shall burn—she: shall feel a foretaste of hell-fire. ‘Truda and Stinsen and I have sworn its but tell me,” stopping short and staring at them, “‘ where is Teresa ? You have hidden her—say where she 1s.” There was no answer eechicotime ap © ; torture could not Ainbel extidetil one. : “* Dont tell me where Teresa is,” said Truda that same: evening, “for it is better I should not know.” ‘The parents thought this speech very ominous, and terror glued their lips together. When they saw Caterina roll along the streets in her handsome coach, dressed in brocade, looking calm and stately, they shuddered, feeling convinced that the sword of Damocles was hanging over her. She was much honoured by the burghers ; the rich ladies came to call upon her, and once the greatest man in Holland, Prince Maurice himself, alighted at the Fabriek, come to condole with the gallant Heemskerk’s supposed widow. When the Steens saw him arrive, they recollected that Van Rennen had said, ‘‘ The Prince himself could not save her.” ‘The day after his visit, Caterina glided through Truda’s kitchen, and crossing the factory yard, made her way to Vrow Steen’s cottage. Eomichbooks.co