El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-15

house back of the garden was empty.
1t had been y sad moment for her. She
had felt the tears come to 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 had often smiled at
her repulsed her now with their bare
ness.
1t happened that in course of time
Bertha had n 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
rogantIy directing the movements of
her party. which consisted of a 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 Ina bitatiOn, 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 n cosmopolitan
one. and at it the habitue expected to
meet all manner of celebrities and hu-
man curios- Bertha. much elated at
the prospect. whirled off, accompanied
by her decorOus relatives. arrayed for
the occasion in the most unbecoming
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 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.
IL have delayed for a moment for an
other guest Mrs. Truax said. 81 wish
ed to 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 nowv'
The man at the door announced q
moment later:
Herr Van Brunt."
Bertha turned with an anticipation
which she endeavored. to subdue. 1t
was not likely that the son of a garden
er would be a [ 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:
This young man has distinguished
himself in landscape gardening. He
has just laid out q park for Prince
Zagenweli and is much thought OF both
In Holland and Germany. 1 hear that
the Duke of York is likely to send for
him for his new place in Scotland"
Dominicus Van Brunt saIuted his
hostess with a profound bow. How
well Bertha remembered that quaint
reverence of manneri He was present
up to Bertha, who suddenly felt as IL
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
HI.s,
hostess turned in some perplexity to
the spin>trr aunt. She wondered il she
had Internationally 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 90
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 it has been impossible TO Sc
cure his confidence. 1t is a certain
thing. however. that the next day a
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 it is undeniable that Bertha |
Henderson found Amsterdam interest
ing. yet for some reason best under |
stood by her sex she remained I'm 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 to yews |
and weeping willows in his designs |
and accepted with alacrity the oppor-