Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-06-27
A TranSvaal
Love Story.

'iSNien Two Drothers, raul and Hen
drick Hoopstad. sat in earnest CONVEX
sation.
"Win you come, Hendrickr
i cannot leave. Paul. There is Eng
hsh In our veins. and besides to ioin
the commando against the British
would be taking up arms against the
woman l love"
THE woman we love. Hendrick for
God knows | think OF her every min
ute or my life. You and have been all
In all TO each other ever since we were
born. but this mutual love for Nancy
Martin seems likely TO divide us. Even
supposing we put our chances TO the
test II win her you will hate me. and
III you were successful my thoughts
would turn TO you in anger Let us.
then. take our rifles. join the comman-
do and for the time forget her. and per
haps when the war Is over one of us
may gain by death what the other
could not give i'm life"
Il will not fight against the English.
Paul"
Think well. Hendrick. Nancy Mar.
tin has been In England for the last
~NNa - u not DOtSlOlR lnNI she
may have an English IoverY'
I'VE are being enticed and threaten
ed into foOlhardy war by those who
have their own ends TO serve. | will
take my rifle and fight. but IL Will be
with the English"
Then. Hendrick. we must Dart
though we part in all affection. God
bless you. my brother. and the woman
we love"
Farewell. Paul. and God grant that
We may not meet on the battlefield"
Paul turned his horse toward New
castle. while HendrIck rode I'm the on
posite direction. with the intention OF
making his way TO John Martins farm.
which lay on the banks OF the Calabon
river. between Basutol and Natal.
Hendrick Hoopstad'S love for Nancy.
the only daughter OF John Martin OF
the Cnladon farm. was the one thought
that engrOssed his mind. He loved her
and was willing 10 lay down his life
for her without thought OF reward. 1t
might he. as Paul had suggested, that
Nancy had an English lover. Well.
time would show. and whatever hap
pened he would always strive TO be
worthy OF her and be willing to serve
her In any way in his power
In about three hours he had sighted
John Martins farm. Down the hill
Hendrick let the reins drop on his
horses neck and proceeded at n walk
Ing pace. 1t was calm, still evening.
and the horses hOOfs made no sound
In the soft sand.
Reaching the orchard. the sound OF
voices fell upon his ear. and almost me-
chanically he stopped the horse and
listened. IL was the voice OF Nancy he
heard. and. standing in his stirrups, he
looked over the brush growth. Yes.
Paul was right-she was standing be-
meath the shade OF a spreading tree and
tall man dressed In the British khaki
uniform held her In his arms. her head
upon his shoulder and her lips upturn-
ed TO his.
The time was so long. Dick, 1
thought you would never come"
Did you, darling? Well, have
come at last. though | could wish a
more peaceful time for visiting my
beautiful sweetheart But when this
war is over l will make you my wife"
MY love for you. Dick. can never
change. Since | left you II has lived
on the memory OF those sweet hours OF
delirious happiness when we used to
sit together In the sunshine and plan
the joyful future-when we two shall
be always together"
The man on the horse heard the
words that pierced his heart like the
stab OF dagger. For some moments
he sat like a statue, his face grim and
set and his eyes staring into blank
ness. The steed moved forward OF its
own accord and wandered on upward
OF an hour. while its rider sat wres-
tling with himself. Then. with a sigh
and a sob that almost choked him, he
gathered up the reins and once more
turned toward John Martins farm.
Here John Martin met him with an
old fashioned English welcome, and
Hendrick was ushered into the sitting
room. where sat Nancy and her lover.
Nancy greeted him heartily. IL some
what shyly.
II am glad to see you. Hendrick-
let me introduce you to Mr.. Harvey.
Dick. this is our friend, Hendrick
HOOpstad."
II am very glad to know you; we
can't have too many friends these trou-
blOus times. You look like a lighting
man. I hope you are with usY'
Il cannot fight against Miss Martins
countrymen. and the blood In my veins
is more English than Dutch. l am on
my way now to volunteer"
Then we are well met: am enroll
ing a body OF volunteers to act as
scouts. saddle In n few hours, so II
you are willing we 20 together"
II ask nothing better. But what Of
Miss Martin-surely she must not stay
hereT
81 am glad you add your entreaties
10 mine. am trying to persuade Mr..