Adelé van Soothsbay

by JH Terry

  “Leave?” asked Higgles happily. “Where to?”

  “I have some business in Canada, but that can wait, my child. Would you like to go to New Amsterdam?”

  “Yes, completely,” said Higgles happily. “How did you know that I might want to go there.”

  With a smile, Bernard said, “You had a handkerchief on your person that read van Soothsbay, are you at all related to Pieter Fritter?”

  For the first time in her life, Higgles was happy to be related to Uncle Pieter. “Yes, I am his niece.”

  “And he trades with the Iroquois, if I am not mistaken?”

  “Perhaps,” said Higgles unsure of where this was leading. “Well, I really do not know, I have never met him before.”

  “Never met your own uncle, my child, that seems very strange.”

  “Well, he hates us, it is not so strange.”

  “Oh,” said Bernard sadly.

  “But, my younger sister, Adelé, was killed by Indians when she traveled to the Catskill Mountains.”

  “You do not seem sad with this.”

  “Well, she was no loss if that is what you mean,” said Higgles with laughter shared by no one. Seeing this she stopped laughing.

  “Well, I will take you to your home in New Amsterdam. Perhaps I can sell my fur there. Besides, I can talk to your parents about your dear Uncle Pieter.”

  Unsure of what was happening, but not caring since all she really wanted was to go home, Higgles said, “All right.”

  With that Bernard talked to the old men about something in, of course, another language unknown to Higgles. After ten minutes, however, they seemed to have reached an agreement as Bernard led Higgles out of the cabin to a carriage of his with several furs on it. Soon, the two were off, Higgles covered warmly by the furs, as they left the Mississippian village behind them.

  XX. The Ball

  It was already two days since Adelé had met Mrs. Heinz, and since then she had not talked to Louis van Pargoo. It seemed that he did not want to talk to her, making Adelé feel bad about what she had said to him. However, in the evening would be the ball, but Adelé was not excited for that. She would rather be with Uncle Pieter playing card games than go to the ball. For her, being a lady fit for society was boring. It seemed as if women were meant only to be the symbol of a man’s pride, and that made her sick to her stomach. She hated that feeling, rather wanting to live alone than to live as that. However, she could see by the eyes of Sarie and Jan that they felt differently. She did not understand what they liked about it so much, but they certainly did.

  On that night, half an hour before the ball was to start, she was getting her dress ready by a maid, when Sarie entered. She looked to Adelé’s dress in disgust, even though she had said to Jan after he showed it to all that it was ‘beautiful.’ With a cold tone, Sarie told the maid, “Get out.”

  With a flash the maid was gone. Sarie walked over to Adelé.

  “Why must you always be cruel to me?” asked Adelé angrily. “Always you have hated me, why?”

  “Why?” asked Sarie slightly amused. “Of course, I know why. You remind me of only one person I have met before, a person who was just as freaky as you, my mother.” There was a pause as Sarie continued. “Yes, my always perfect mother. She always did everything correctly and properly. I could never get her approval, the odd one out. She always helped everyone and I was always selfish, inconsiderate Sarie. I guess I could have been a good, helpful girl like my other sister Anne, but then I wouldn’t be me, I wouldn’t be normal. Yes, but even when I made the mistake of having you she also took care of my imperfectness in raising you up.”

  “You mean Mrs. Heinz is my grandmother?” asked Adelé surprised.

  “Of course she is,” said Sarie angrily. “I guess she never told you, but then it is just like her to hide it up and keep it in her pride. You too are just the same, always against people like Higgles and I, just trying to live normally while you freaks destroy the world. Luckily for me I raised Higgles to be someone wonderful, who married herself a real prince, not some Indian savage like you will!”

  “If I am lucky enough I will never marry. I would rather die than to marry someone you call normal.”

  “Do not worry, Adelé,” said Sarie coldly. “No one normal would want you anyway. Get ready my dear, your entrance will be coming soon.”

  Adelé looked out of her window sadden by what she had heard. Now she understood nearly everything, Jan comforted his spoiled wife and child because he thought that to make them happy was to make himself happy. Suddenly, Adelé heard shouts from downstairs. Opening her door she heard screams and shouts of ‘Higgles, you’re back,’ ‘life was dull without you,’ and ‘where have you been.’ Just by the shouts Adelé knew that Higgles was back, and no one remembered that she existed at all.

  Adelé walked down the stairs quietly, passing by the dining room unnoticed as she could hear Higgles recant her story. She also heard shouts as Higgles talked of news clippings.

  To the kitchen Adelé walked to the back door to see Uncle Pieter talking angrily with another man, a priest with balding hair.

  “You must see the seriousness, yourself Pieter, of such an assault upon the Mississippians. We do not want the Iroquois to know of where we are leaving. We need your help Pieter to make them wait a while until they come after us. Can you do that?”

  “I can Bernard, anything for a good old friend,” said Pieter with a firm handshake with the priest.

  Adelé walked outside to the two men, as Bernard stood transfixed. “Who is this?” he asked.

  “Oh,” said Pieter with a smile. “My great-niece, Adelé van Soothsbay.”

  “So, you are not dead. I am surprised, especially when your sister believes you to be.”

  “And everyone else when she is here. It is no matter though, Uncle Pieter I am ready to go back home.”

  “Really?” asked Pieter.

  “Yes, there is nothing to make me stay. However, I want to go and see Mrs. Heinz first.”

  “Of course,” said Pieter. “I will take you there. Goodbye Bernard.”

  “Goodbye, Pieter,” said Bernard. “Be good, and remember what I told you.”

  “How could I forget?”

  After walking some distance away from the house, Adelé asked Uncle Pieter, “Who was that man you were talking to?”

  “Why, that was Bernard DuPré, a fur trader who I knew when I was still fur trading before you were even born. He is a good man, a priest as well. He needs my help in getting his Mississippian friends out of Ohio. I must help him as best as I can, though it would be dangerous.”

  “Oh Uncle Pieter, at least I will be there to help you.”

  “No you will not, Adelé. I know you are stubborn, but not this time young lady. I will not have you dying for something like that. Besides, you are not coming with me.”

  “What do you mean, Uncle Pieter?”

  “You’ll see once you have come to Mrs. Heinz’s house.”

  Adelé began to feel excited. Was she to live with her grandmother? However, if she did then Uncle Pieter would be alone, and that did not make her happy at all. She loved Pieter and to leave him was not what she wanted in the least. She felt confused, even more so, as they opened the door to Mrs. Heinz’s house to see no one other than Louis van Pargoo sitting to a cup of tea. Louis seemed as shocked as her to see the other there, Louis even slightly blushed at her presence.

  “Good evening,” Louis mumbled from out of his mouth. “You look radiant this evening, Adelé.” It wasn’t until now that Adelé realized that she still had her ball dress on.

  “Thank you for your compliment, Louis,” said Adelé also feeling uneasy inside.

  “Well,” said Mrs. Heinz to Adelé. “Are you ready my dear?”

  “Ready for where?” asked Adelé concerned.

  “Ready for your trip to the Netherlands,” said Uncle Pieter. “Your grandmother and I de
cided long ago that once you reached the age of sixteen that I should bring you back here. She sent that to me in a letter when you were just born. She said that you would come when you were eight years old, that you would be in trouble as you would come to my place in the Catskills, so that I must take a look out to make sure you and the others were safe. Luckily I did find you, as well as Mary and Pickles. I have trained you to have courage, Adelé, but now it is time for you to be a lady.”

  “I don’t want to be with those people, Uncle Pieter,” said Adelé. “I don’t want to leave you.”

  “I will not be there for you forever, Adelé,” said Uncle Pieter. “Besides, you will have Mr. van Pargoo to transport you over to the Netherlands and to take care of you.”

  Adelé looked to Louis, who was red in his face yet again. “Mr. van Pargoo does not seem to like my company in the least Uncle Pieter. He has not talked to me in two days, hence the redness of his face.”

  “I am sorry, Adelé,” said Louis. “I know I have not talked to you for this time, but it was something else. I would be honored to take you to the Netherlands, until such time as when your Uncle Pieter will join you.”

  “Are you coming Uncle?” asked Adelé surprised.

  “Yes, but I must take care of work first alone. I will meet you there as soon as I am able. Until that time Mr. van Pargoo will take care of you.”

  Looking to Louis, who was still blushing, Adelé said, “Thank you. I am glad you are not angry with me.”

  “Oh, do not worry about that,” said Louis truthfully. “We better go. You do not need any packages, we will get you your things once we get to the Netherlands. Besides, your grandmother has placed several things for you upon the boat already, which will be enough for the journey.”

  Adelé looked to Mrs. Heinz, who smiled and said, “Now do you understand my dear?”

  “Not everything, but still I am happy about that I do know.”

  “You must grow up into the real world now, Adelé,” said Mrs. Heinz thoughtfully. “By being with your Uncle Pieter you have grown up beautifully to be an individual, but you must now live in the world. At least now you will not be like others and change yourself for what they want.”

  “But, grandmother, I do not want to marry,” but as she said this Adelé noticed that Louis’s skin was no longer red by very white.

  “You will marry one day Adelé, and even though he may not be like you entirely, he will respect you because he will love you. I know that you have many questions still unanswered in your heart, but you must believe me that you will marry and that he will take care of you and respect you always. You fear marriage because you do not wish to have someone treat you badly, but not everyone is like that. You must open your heart if you are to experience that happiness that will be yours.”

  Adelé looked to Louis, who smiled shyly and said, “Are you ready, Adelé?”

  “Yes, I am ready.” Looking to Pieter, she said, “You’ll be there soon?”

  “Yes,” said Uncle Pieter. “Do not worry, I’ll let Mary and Pickles know all about it. They’ll be happy and perhaps visit you one day. You must leave this place Adelé, for the world is much more than just New Netherlands, it is a sea of knowledge that no one here can truly understand.”

  Adelé smiled to Uncle Pieter and hugged him goodbye. She then went over to Mrs. Heinz and hugged her as well. With parting words, she and Louis left the little brick house, never to return again.

  * * * * * * * * *

  As Adelé walked quietly next to Louis, she began to think of all that had happened so soon. She had in one day learned so much, the education of life. Louis looked to her in understanding, but something was still troubling Adelé.

  “Louis?”

  “Yes, Adelé?”

  “Why are you taking me to the Netherlands?”

  Silence filled the street, but just as Louis was going to speak they saw commotion ahead of them in the street at the van Soothsbay home. They walked quickly over to the shadows so that no one in the house could see them. Adelé was scared that they had noticed that she was gone, surprisingly already, but by the voices she could hear that they were not talking about her.

  “What are they talking about?” asked Adelé of Louis.

  “They are talking about Prince Isaac Raspereski, the husband of your sister.”

  “What of him?”

  “The scoundrel. He was no prince after all, but a murderer who was wanted for his crimes in the Netherlands. He was known under the name of Ernest Rembrandt. I heard of him before, did horrible things with his victims. I cannot even repeat them that they are so horrible. It seems that your butler was his brother.”

  “Gregory!”

  “Yes, Ernest hoped to stay low in New Amsterdam working for his brother, but when he heard of Higgles he hoped to marry her in a sort of want to, well, not for money but just to break her pride.”

  “Too bad it didn’t work.”

  “Well, actually he got so tired of her he tried to get the Iroquois to kill her off, but that did not work since she was saved by the Mississippian Indians.”

  “Of course, Bernard DuPré, he helped to save her and brought her here.”

  “Exactly, there goes that Ernest now. Of course, that was why he left in such a hurry and to have gone to Ohio. What prince in his right mind would go there? The police have been looking for him, but no one ever made the link. Tells you what having money does to people sometimes.”

  “How did he get all of that money though?”

  “He stole it from his victims, all wealthy. I guess he wanted paradise in Ohio and only got Higgles, who is perhaps the greatest demon in disguise.”

  Suddenly they saw a young man dressed in fancy clothing being held by two constables, but the man was resisting arrest.

  “Unhand me, you fools, I am Prince Isaac Daniel George Pierre Rupert Raspereski,” said Isaac. “I have come here for my wife.”

  “Really?” asked a constable. “What are you prince of?”

  After a pause of two minutes, Isaac said, “Do you dare question a prince?”

  “Do you dare not answer the question?”

  “Well…urr…I am a prince of Bavaria.”

  “With a name like that?”

  “What is wrong with my name? I am a Bavarian prince I tell you, unhand me at once.”

  “Really, I guess you can tell the others in jail that too, ‘prince,’ because that is the only royal suite you are sleeping in tonight.”

  “Unhand me this instant. Higgles, Higgles, my love, it is me, Isaac, your loving raspberry!”

  “You made me clean that log cabin!” exclaimed Higgles with tears. “Go to jail for all I care you mean man.”

  “I guess it does not matter that he killed all of those people to her,” said Louis to Adelé as the commotion on the street left and the van Soothsbays and their guests went back into the house for the ball. “Let’s go now to the ship.”

  “Now will you answer my question?” asked Adelé.

  “What?”

  “Why are you taking me to the Netherlands?”

  “For your safety, Adelé. Remember, I told you before you should not be alone and I consider it an honor to protect you.” However, Adelé could see that Louis was leaving something out of what he was saying. The two walked to the ship as Prince Isaac still protested his innocence, now in a fake German.

  XXI. Sailing Nowhere

  Soon Louis and Adelé were on the ship and the anchor was raised. Louis showed Adelé to her room and trunks bought for her by her grandmother, as he said to her, “If there is anything you need, anything at all, let me know.” With that he left to take command of the ship.

  Adelé began to look through her items when she saw that on the inside of one trunk was a letter addressed to her. Adelé opened it to see that it was from her grandmother.

  Adelé,

  I that upon reading this letter there are no problems that exist in y
our mind as to your past or future. However, I must remark one thing, which I had not discussed to you before. You probably know that on your wrist you have a birthmark, very plain, oval-shaped, but it is still there. However, I have been a midwife for many years and there was only one child that I know with the same mark, born seven years before you. It is a rare occurrence that such a thing could exist - the same mark at the same place, but then again nothing is coincidence. Such a mark would mean that the two people would be attached to each other always. That man, within the month, shall be at the Netherlands at the same time as you. Look to what I say as truth and learn to understand this man. For when you do begin to notice that you two are so closely together, you will see that what I have told you before will be true. Oh, by the way, I am a witch.