Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-05-18


the round face of her friend had often
smiled at her, repulsed her now with
their baroness.
1t happened that in course of me
Bertha had notion to go abroad, and,
having the consciousness of her GER
tificate of graduation in her trunk, she
was in no haste to return to her home.
So she fingered where she pleased, ar
rogantly directing the movements of
her party, which consisted of maid
en- aunt and an elderly second cousin.
With this double chaperonage she was
allowed to do almost anything she
pleased.
At length they reached Amsterdam,
making headquarters for themselves
there, and planning to so upon many
excursions through the country. 1t
was natural enough that, having To-
cal habitation, they should make some
friends in the city, and SO 1t came
about that before they had been there
long they were invited to dinner by
an American lady, Mrs. Truax, whose
"
tile enterprise there.
The TruaX house was cosmopolitan
one, and at it the habitue expected to
meet all manner of celebrities and hui
man curios. Bertha, much elated at
the prospect, whirled off, accompanied
by her decorous relatives, arrayed for
the occasion in the most becoming OF
their best silks.
What dear old frumps they are"
Bertha commented to herself. Il think
the Amsterdam ladies will like them.
They Just suit this background"
They seemed to, indeed, and got on
better than Bertha, whose youth con-
demned her to a subordinate place.
This was not as it was in America,
Bertha reflected, and permitted herself
to indulge in a moment of homesick-
ness, as she sat apart, her glowing
beauty unnoticed by the middle-aged
people who were paying their respects
to her aunt and her second cousin.
81 have delayed for moment for
another guest" Mrs. TruaX said. Il
wished to present to your niece, Miss
Henderson" she said. addressing Ber-
tha's aunt, "a young man who is half
an American. All, there is the bell
now!"
The man at the door announced
moment later:
Herr Van Brunt."
Bertha turned with an anticipation
which she endeavored to subdue. 1t
was not likely that the son of a gar
dener would be at the home of Mrs.
Tuax. But in the young man who
Ell tered Bertha saw with unmistakable
recognition the amiable, soft eyes. the
round face and high brow, and the
quiet, kindly manners Of her old
ease that come with self-confdence.
The hostess managed to whisper to
Bertha's aunt, and of course Bertha
overheard:
This young man has distinguished
himself in landscape gardening. He
has just laid out park for Prince
Zagenwell, and is much thought of
both in Holland and Germany. l hear
that the Duke of York Is likely to send
for him for his new place in Scotland"
Dominicus Van Brunt saluted his
hostess with profound bow-how
we;. Bertha remembered that quaint
reverence of manner! He was pre-
sented to the guests and at last was
led up to Bertha, who suddenly felt as
if she were in short frocks, with FREE
kles on her face and braids down her
back. He started and flushed, and
then held out his hand in the good
American way, regardless of cere-
mony.
What, you are acquainted" cried
the hostess. They explained. The
hostess turned in some perplexity to
the spinster aunt. She wondered If
she had unintentionally committed an
indescretion. But there was no an
noyance in the face Of the elder Miss
Henderson, and the hostess felt at lib
erty to permit the two young people
to go down to dinner together.
The conversation at dinner would
not be particularly interesting to re-
count But Bertha remembered every
word of it. Perhaps Dominicus Van
Brunt did too-but it has been Nh
possible to secure his &C .$idence. 1t
is a certain thing, however, that the
next day basket came for the young
American lady, containing a dozen
yellow tomatoes, dropped like eggs in
nest Of white daisies. Which was.
surely, curious gift!
Now it is undeniable that Bertha
Henderson found Amsterdam interest
ing, yet lar some reason best under
stood by her sex she remained in it
but short time. Fastening away to
other points OF interest. 1t is also GER
tain that about the time of her depart
ure young landscape gardener ran
to yews and weeping willows in his de-
signs, and accepted with alacrity the
opportunity of designing cemetery
for some new american town. But he
recovered from his gloom when there
reached him from the shores of the
Baltic trinket fashioned Of lucent
amber, shaped like yellow tomato.
1t occurred to him that he ought also
to visit the storied beaches of the Bal
u l. ~