Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-05-17

kept SarQen OF jacob van bTuQL QaO
been; and the windows, from which
the round face of her friend had often
smiled at her, repulsed her now with
their baroness.
1t happened that in course of time
Bertha had a notion to go abroad, and,
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 go upon many
excursions through the country. 1t
was natural enough that, having a 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
husband was engaged in some mercanr
tile enterprise there.
The Truax house was a 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.
II have delayed for a moment for
another guest Mrs. Truax said. 81
wished to present to your niece, Miss
Manderson,'' she said, addressing Ber-
tha's aunt, ga young man who is hall
an American. All, there is the bell
now!"
The man at the door announced q
moment later:
Herr Van Brunt."
Bertha turned with an anticipation
which she endeavored to subdue. II
was not likely that the son of gar
Truax. But in the young man who
entered Bertha saw with unmistakable
recognition the amiable, soft eyes, the
round face and high brow, and the
quiet, kindly manners of her ole
friend, borne with the assurance anc
ease that come with self-confidence.
The hostess managed to whisper tt
Bertha's aunt, and of course Bertha
overheard:
"This young man has distinguished
himself in landscape gardening. HI
has just laid out a park for Prince
Zagenwell, and is much thought O.
both in Holland and Germany. I heal
that the Duke of York is likely to sent
for him for his new place in Scotland.
Dominicus Van Brunt saluted his
hostess with a profound bow-hoW
we'll Bertha remembered that quain
reverence of manner! He was pre-
sented to the guests and at last was
led up to Bertha, who suddenly felt a:
if she were in short frocks, with free
kles on her face and braids down bel
back. He started and flushed, anc
then held out his hand in the goo(
American way, regardless of cere
mony.
What, you are acquainted" criee
the hostess. They explained. The
hostess turned in some perplexity tt
the spinster aunt She wondered i
she had Internationally committed az
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
| "oAO VI ~. L V4 AopS OoW4AACuS ar
Brunt did too-but it has been i'm.
possible to secure his confidence. II
is certain thing, however, that the
next day basket came for the young
American lady, containing a dozer
yellow tomatoes, dropped like eggs in
nest of white daisies. Which was
surely, a curious gift!
Now it is undeniable that Bertha
Henderson found Amsterdam interest
ing, yet for some reason best under.
stood by her sex she remained in il
but a short time, fastening away t.
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
| hor ch IN