Western Kansas world., 1893-07-15

gOOQ u0Wry 700.
ssCan it be oossible?"
sLeave it to me. As the canals
are all closed by the ice, be ready with
/ two saddle horses at daylight to-mor.
row. All! My son! If you only in
herit your fathers genius" !"
/. The next morning the rising sun
saw the two travellers on their way to
Brock. They arrived about midday,
but were obliged to leave their horses
at an inn outside the village, as
! neither horses nor carriages were per.
mitted to enter the streets. Brook
enjoys in Holland an extraordinary
/ reputation for neatness.
The streets are paved with polished
stones in different colors, which are
arranged in Mosaic designs. In front
of each house is a space reserved for
the use of the inhabitants, which is
enclosed by an iron railing with bright
ornaments of brass and furnished with
settees of carved wood. So great is
the mania for cleanliness that with
cred leaf cannot fall in one of those
elegant parQuets without the family's
rushing out in the utmost haste to
! remove it.
! When. Master Woerden and his son
arrived with snow-laden shoes, many
covert glances of indignation followed
their progress toward Master Van
| Elberg's house; but as they were at
once well known and greatly re-
spected, no open remonstrance was
made. On reaching their destination,
! however, the servant met them at
the door with slippers in hand that
they might leave their heavy shoes
outside.
When the travellers entered the
parlor, not only Master Van Elberg,
but his charming daughter also re-
ceived them with much cordialiUY.
Clotilda wore the costume Of her
country. The short, full skirt, richly
decorated with embroidery, the velvet
bodice and the dainty cap with it's
border of lace, the gold band across
her dark hair. and the heavy gold ear
rings thickly set with jewels, made a
picturesque garb that daintily set off
her fair, placid features.
Good morning, Master Woerdenw
cried Van EIberg, as he held out his
hand cheerily to his visitor.
You know I care as little for the
French as for the Prince of Orange.
Politics never interest me. 1 come to
propose a good speculation"
That is we'll. What is it," re-
turned Van Elberg.
II have engaged to deliver 40O,O
herring in month. Can you fur
nish them to me in three weeks?"
"At what price?"
'Ten forms a thousand"
"Ten forms? Yes! 1 will under
take to supply them"
''Good!" returned Woerden, rub
bing his hands together contentedly,
as the dining room door was now
open, displaying the plentiful break
fast which awaited them.
After partaking literally of the
good things before him, for the long
ride had sharpened his appetite,
Master Woerden glanced significantly
at the young girl, VINO shyly turned
her eyes away from him as he began
to discuss the question Of the young
folks marriage. binding his host
firmly insisting on giving his daugh-
ter only the dowry he had before
mentioned, Master Woerden made
but feigned remonstrance to these
terms, and at the end conceded the
disputed point 1t was then decided
that the marriage should take place
in eight days.
AS they returned to Amsterdam
the next day, William ventured to
ask his father why he had thus agreed
to Master Van Elberg's terms.
MY son." replied Master Woerden
gravely, do not disturb me about
trifles The contract for herring is
serious matter and requires all my
thoughts.
Once more in his own house,
Master Woerdcn shut himself up for
hours in his own room, and when he
at length came forth he gave his SER
want large package of letters to
mail.
Three days later the old man, with
his wrinkled face alight with tri-
umph, whispered to his son:
"Ah, William, 1 have your dowry
all ready for YOU"
On the day appointed for the we'd
ding Master Woerden and his son re-
turned to Brock. This time they
were received with great ceremony.
The wide folding doors that are only
opened for christenings, weddings,
and funerals were drawn apart, and
a large party assembled.
The master Of the house, however,
came to meet them with so pale and
troubled countenance that William
feared he had some bad news to make
known Master Woerden did not
share his sons alarm, for he knew
only too surely the cause Of his hosts
distress.
"What troubles you, dear friend?"
he said, with a hypocritical smile
"You look anxious and worried"
''Ah! am cruelty embarrassed. I
must speak with you at once"
"Can it be this marriage that dis
pleases you? Do you wish to retract
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