The Soul of Nicholas Snyders | Page 3

but the tone of his voice
fell agreeably on Nicholas Snyders' ear. Nicholas Snyders loved best
beating the dog that, growled and showed its teeth.
"Better not wait for that," said Nicholas Snyders. "You might have to
wait long."
Jan rose, an angry flush upon his face. "So nothing changes you,
Nicholas Snyders. Have it your own way, then."
"You will marry her in spite of me?"
"In spite of you and of your friends the fiends, and of your master the
Devil!" flung out Jan. For Jan had a soul that was generous and brave
and tender and excessively short-tempered. Even the best of souls have
their failings.
"I am sorry," said old Nicholas.
"I am glad to hear it," answered Jan.
"I am sorry for your mother," explained Nicholas. "The poor dame, I
fear, will be homeless in her old age. The mortgage shall be foreclosed,
Jan, on your wedding-day. I am sorry for your father, Jan. His creditors,
Jan--you have overlooked just one. I am sorry for him, Jan. Prison has
always been his dread. I am sorry even for you, my young friend. You
will have to begin life over again. Burgomaster Allart is in the hollow
of my hand. I have but to say the word, your ship is mine. I wish you
joy of your bride, my young friend. You must love her very dearly--you
will be paying a high price for her."
It was Nicholas Snyders' grin that maddened Jan. He sought for

something that, thrown straight at the wicked mouth, should silence it,
and by chance his hand lighted on the pedlar's silver flask. In the same
instance Nicholas Snyders' hand had closed upon it also. The grin had
died away.
"Sit down," commanded Nicholas Snyders. "Let us talk further." And
there was that in his voice that compelled the younger man's obedience.
"You wonder, Jan, why I seek always anger and hatred. I wonder at
times myself. Why do generous thoughts never come to me, as to other
men! Listen, Jan; I am in a whimsical mood. Such things cannot be, but
it is a whim of mine to think it might have been. Sell me your soul, Jan,
sell me your soul, that I, too, may taste this love and gladness that I
hear about. For a little while, Jan, only for a little while, and I will give
you all you desire."
The old man seized his pen and wrote.
"See, Jan, the ship is yours beyond mishap; the mill goes free; your
father may hold up his head again. And all I ask, Jan, is that you drink
to me, willing the while that your soul may go from you and become
the soul of old Nicholas Snyders--for a little while, Jan, only for a little
while."
With feverish hands the old man had drawn the stopper from the
pedlar's flagon, had poured the wine into twin glasses. Jan's inclination
was to laugh, but the old man's eagerness was almost frenzy. Surely he
was mad; but that would not make less binding the paper he had signed.
A true man does not jest with his soul, but the face of Christina was
shining down on Jan from out the gloom.
"You will mean it?" whispered Nicholas Snyders.
"May my soul pass from me and enter into Nicholas Snyders!"
answered Jan, replacing his empty glass upon the table. And the two
stood looking for a moment into one another's eyes.
And the high candles on the littered desk flickered and went out, as

though a breath had blown them, first one and then the other.
"I must be getting home," came the voice of Jan from the darkness.
"Why did you blow out the candles?"
"We can light them again from the fire," answered Nicholas. He did not
add that he had meant to ask that same question of Jan. He thrust them
among the glowing logs, first one and then the other; and the shadows
crept back into their corners.
"You will not stop and see Christina?" asked Nicholas.
"Not to-night," answered Jan.
"The paper that I signed," Nicholas reminded him--"you have it?"
"I had forgotten it," Jan answered.
The old man took it from the desk and handed it to him. Jan thrust it
into his pocket and went out. Nicholas bolted the door behind him and
returned to his desk; sat long there, his elbow resting on the open
ledger.
Nicholas pushed the ledger aside and laughed. "What foolery! As if
such things could be! The fellow must have bewitched me."
Nicholas crossed to the fire and warmed his hands before the blaze.
"Still, I am glad he is going to marry the little lass. A good lad, a good
lad."
Nicholas must have fallen asleep before the