The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-04-30
YITI-contlnued.

"a - AAAGAYNR - - ~
little island green and low, Its banks
trisnly set with a single row OF poplars.
1t was perhaps a quarter OF a nile eN-
cry way. and a channel one-fourth as
wide separated It from the nearer shore
Of the river, to which, however. a long
narrow bridge OF planks laid on trestles
gave access. On the outer side OF the
Island. facing the rivers course, stood
a low white house. before which was a
ei0ping green terrace, also bordered
with poplars. led down to a tiny pier.
Behind and around the house We're
meadows as trim and neat as a child's
toys. over which the y roved with
pleasure until 1t reached the landward
side OF the islatid. and there detected,
nestling among gardens. a tiny village
OF half a dozen cottages. II was q
scene OF enchanting peace and quietude'
Al we slowly plowed out way up TO
the landing place | saw the rabbits
stand to gaze at us. and then with a
flick or their heels, dart of to their
holes. marked the cattle moving
h0Fae~ard In d string and heard the
wild fowl rise in creek n pool with a
whir of wings, Iturned with a full
heart to my neighbor. lis II not love-
Tyr" / cried with enthusiasm. rs II
not a peaceful place--a very garden OF
Hden2. IS
I looked to see her fall into raptures
sue as women are commonly more
prone to than men. But all women
are not the same. Mistress me vas
hooking. indeed, when / turned and sur
priHed her, ct the scene which had so
moved nle, but the expression OF her
fac was sad and bitter n utterly
melancholy. The WEAKNESS n fatigue
had often seen lurking In her eyes
bad invaded all her features. She
looked 1--WE years older-no longer q
Girl. ybrt-R gray faced, hopeless woman,
whom h sights OF this peaceful haven
rather smote to the heart than filed
with enticlpations OF safety and re-
pose.
It was but for a moment l saw her
= Then she dashed her hand across
her eyes--though I saw no tears I'm
them--and with a pettish exclamation
burned away. Poor girl" r thought.
"She. too, Is homesick. No doubt this
reminds her OF some places at home
or some other person" / thought this
more than likely. as Master BERTHE
came from Lincolnshire. which. he said.
had many OF the features of this
strange land, and it was conceivable
enough that she should know Lincoln
shire, too. being related to his wife.
soor forgot the matter in the ex-
rttement or landing. A few minutes or
hustle and 1t was over. The boat put
out again. and we our were left face
10 face with two strangers, an elderly
man and a girl. who had come down
20 the pier to meet us. The former,
stout. blum and red faced. with a thick
gray beard and a gold chain about his
neck. had the air of a man of posi-
tioH. He greeted us warmly. His COM
penion. who hung behind him, some
what shyly. was as pretty a girl as
n could find ina month. A second
look assured me of something more
that she formed an excellent foil to the
p.iquant brightness M keen vivacity,
the dark hair and nervous features Of
Mistress Anne For the Dutch girl
was feir and plump and OF perfect
eomplexion. Her hair was very ligiL
limos taken indeed. and her eyes were
SOFTLY n hnpfdiy Mue-graVe. Inno-
sent wondering eyes they were, I re-
emD guessed rightly that she
was the elderly mans daughter. Later
I tearned that she was his only child.
q that her name was Dymphna.
He WIS a M.stsr Lindst, an. ! mer-
ohalt OF standing In Arnheim. He had
visited England and spo:ze English
Eairly. and being under some obliga-
lions, Il appeared to the duchess,
Katherine was 70 be our host.
We all walked up the little avenue
together, Master Lindstrom talking as
he went 20 husband or wife, while his
daughter and Mistress Anne came next
gazing each at each In silence. as wom-
en- when they first meet will gaze. TAX
Ing stock, l suppose, OF a rivals weap-
ons. I walked last. wondering why
they had nothing TO say to one another.
As we entered the house the mys-
&ery Yves explained. She speaks no
English," said Mistress Anne, with a
touch of scorn.
And we no Dutch" I answered
emilipR. Here in Holland / am afraid
that she will ihaye somewhat the best
of US. Try her with Spanish
Spanish l know none"
"Well, l do-a little"
What, you know Spanish" Mis-
fress Anne's tone Of surprise amounted
almost to incredulity, and it battered
me. boy that | was. I dare say IL
would have battered many an older
head than mine. you know Spanish?
Where did you learn it?" she continued
sharply.
TAt home"
A home. Where is that7' And she
eyed me still more closely. Where Is
your home. Master Carey2 You have
never told met ~
Hsnt 1 had said already more than 1
1ntended, and / shook my head. 4
mean, 4 explained awkwardIy, that
learned X In q home / once had. Now
MY home is here. At any rate, I have
no other"
The Dutch girl. standing patiently
beside us, had looked first at one face
AAAn tHeH at the Olner as we talked.
We were all by this time In a long, low
parlor. warmed by a pretty closed
fireplace covered with glazed tiles. On
the shelves OF a great armoire, or
dresser, at n OF the room, ap-
peared q fine show OF silver plate.
Mt tho other end stood @ tall linen
press OF walnut wood, Handsomely
carved. and even the gratings of the
windows and the handles OF the doors
we're of hammered ironwork. There
we're no PUSHES en- the floor, which was
made of small pieces OF wood delicate
~ Joined and set together and brightly
polished. Blu everything in sight was
clean and trim to a degree which
4 would nave shamed our great hous,
nc Cotton, where the PUSHES sometime.
lay for a week unchanged. With eacI
glance round ] felt q livelier satisfac.
fAon. I turned TO Mistress Dymphna.
~SenoTita.,' 1 said. mastering my no
bIest accent. "Reso los pies de listed
Mabia- listed Castillano?"
Mistress Anne stared. while the eff
feet on the girl whom l addressed wa
greater than I had looked for. but Ger