The true northerner., 1900-06-13
gone. For II had happened that one au-


house back of the garden was empty.
1t had been n sad rloment for her. She
had felt the tears come 10 her eyes as
she looked at The untidy piece of
ground where the eXquisitely kept gar
den of Jacob Van Brunt had been, and
the windows from which the round
face of her friend hal often smiled at
her repulsed her now WITH taeir bare
ness
1t happened that in course of time
Bertha had notion TO go abroad, and,
having the consciousness of her certif-
icate of graduation In her trunk. she
was i'm no haste TO return TO her home.
So she fingered where she pleased, ar
rogantly directing the movements of
her party, which consisted of maiden
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 go 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 it came
about that before they had been there
long they were invited TO dinner by an
American lady, Mrs. TruaX, whose hus-
band was engaged in some mercantile
enterprise there.
The TruaX house was cosmopolitan
one. and at il 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, Grrayed for
the occasion in the most unbecoming
of their best silks.
"What dear old frumps they are"
Bertha commented to herself. 81 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 subordinate place.
This was not as il 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 n moment for an
other guest" Mrs. Truax said 81 wish
ed 10 present TO your niece, Miss Man
derson," she said, addressing Bertha'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 garden
er would be at the home of Mrs. Truax.
But in the young man who entered
Bertha saw with unmistakable recog-
milton the amiable, soft eyes, the round
face and high brow and quiet, kindly
manners of her old friend borne with
the assurance and ease that come of
self confidence.
The hostess managed to whisper to
Bertha's aunt and of course Bertha
overheard: ~ e
This young man has distinguished
himself In landscape gardEning. He
has just laid out a park for Prince
Zagenwell and is much thought of both
in Holland and Germany. | hear that
the Duke Cf York is likely 20 send for
him for his new place in Scotland"
Dominlcus Van Brunt saluted his
hostess with a profound bow. How
well Bertha remembered that quaint
reverence of manner, He was present
ed 10 the guests and at last was led
up to Bertha, who suddenly felt as if
she were in short frocks, with freckles
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 ceremony.
What, you are acquaintedr' cried
the hostess. They explained. The
hostess turned in some perplexity 20
the spinster aunt. She wondered If she
had unintentionally committed an in
discretion. But there was no annoy
ance in the face of the elder Miss Man
derson, and the hostess felt at liberty
to permit the two young people to go
down to dinner together.
The conversation at dinner would not
be particularly interesting to recount
But Bertha remembered every word Of
it. Perhaps Dominicus Van Brunt did
too-but 1t has been impossible to Sc
cure his confidence 1t is a certain
thing, however, that the next day q
basket came for the young American
lady containing a dozen yellow toma-
toes, dropped like eggs in a nest Of
white daisies. Which was, surely, q
curious gift!
Now 1t is undeniable that Bertha
Manderson found Amsterdam interest
ing, yet for 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 certain
that about the time of her departure q
young landscape gardener ran 70 yews
and weeping willows In his designs
and accepted with alacrity the oppor-
tunity Of designing a cemetery for
some new American town. But he re-
covered from his gloom when there
ron cbp1 him from fba cboras of tho