t; my own soul
will come back to me. I shall be again the hard, cruel, mean old man I
was before, only now I shall be poor and helpless. The folks will laugh
at me, and I shall curse them, powerless to do them evil. Even Dame
Toelast will not want me when she learns all. And yet I must do this
thing. So long as Jan's soul is in me, I love Christina better than
myself. I must do this for her sake. I love her--I cannot help it."

Old Nicholas rose, took from the place, where a month before he had
hidden it, the silver flask of cunning workmanship.

"Just two more glassfuls left," mused Nicholas, as he gently shook the
flask against his ear. He laid it on the desk before him, then opened
once again the old green ledger, for there still remained work to be
done.

He woke Christina early. "Take these letters, Christina," he commanded.
"When you have delivered them all, but not before, go to Jan; tell him
I am waiting here to see him on a matter of business." He kissed her and
seemed loth to let her go.

"I shall only be a little while," smiled Christina.

"All partings take but a little while," he answered.

Old Nicholas had foreseen the trouble he would have. Jan was content,
had no desire to be again a sentimental young fool, eager to saddle
himself with a penniless wife. Jan had other dreams.

"Drink, man, drink!" cried Nicholas impatiently, "before I am tempted to
change my mind. Christina, provided you marry her, is the richest bride
in Zandam. There is the deed; read it; and read quickly."

Then Jan consented, and the two men drank. And there passed a breath
between them as before; and Jan with his hands covered his eyes a
moment.

It was a pity, perhaps, that he did so, for in that moment Nicholas
snatched at the deed that lay beside Jan on the desk. The next instant
it was blazing in the fire.

"Not so poor as you thought!" came the croaking voice of Nicholas. "Not
so poor as you thought! I can build again, I can build again!" And the
creature, laughing hideously, danced with its withered arms spread out
before the blaze, lest Jan should seek to rescue Christina's burning
dowry before it was destroyed.

Jan did not tell Christina. In spite of all Jan could say, she would go
back. Nicholas Snyders drove her from the door with curses. She could
not understand. The only thing clear was that Jan had come back to her.

"'Twas a strange madness that seized upon me," Jan explained. "Let the
good sea breezes b