The Somerset reporter., 1909-05-06

cottage built by Dirk Van Pelt was as
pretty a little Dutch home as any ro-
mantle girl would wish.
Vines were planted and soon grew
about the porch. n bed of tulips flaunt-
ed gayly colored blossoms in the front
yard and kitchen garden fourished
in the rear.
Things soon prospered with Dirk.
and after six months of anxious wait
Ing he ventured to call on Jan Wander
street to ask for the hand of his
daughter. The mynheer. with unusual
promptness, Immediately gave Dirk -
understand that he wished to hear 20
more of the matter and very politely
intimated that the doors of the Van
derstreet residence would be closed
thenceforth to him.
Disappointed. but not discouraged,
Dirk went slowly home. vowing to
himself with genuine Holland deter
mination that he would never give up
the girl he loved.
His resolution was strengthened by
the sight of Ankle standing at the win
dow holding out a letter. which she
dropped and he picked up.
The letter told him that she would
be his, with or without her fathers
blessing, and bade him have patience.
Dirk continued to work his little
place industriously. hoping to hear
from Ankle. But three weeks elapsed
before he had an opportunity of talk
ing with her. He left her presence,
feeling much encouraged and fell
asleep that night more hopeful. He
was awakened from sweet dreams of
his love by the cry of fire.
Throwing on his clothes, he rushed
from the house. The town was al
ready aroused. and down the streets
the people came running In all stages
of dress. the clatter of their wooden
shoes making as much noise as the
modern fire engine.
1T is Jan Vanderstreetsm some one
screamed. The place is doomedw
On hearing these words Dirk ran
faster than before and outstripped
the crowd. When he reached the
house he found the family coming out,
laden with plunder. and heard Mistress
Vanderstreet eXclaim: mo more must
we 20 back! 1t is not safe. and it is
better to lose ones goods than ones
lifew
"But my pipes! My precious pipes!"
cried old Jan, all his pblegmatic rest
fulness gone. II must get themr
His wife seized him firmly by the
arm.
That you shall not do. Everything
is afre. | will not let you risk your
life for n set of worthless pipes"
Worthless pipesi" thundered Jan.
How dare you speak so? They are a
part Of my life. l have been collect
Ing them all my life long, until now
more than hundred hang in my rack.
And must | lose them all because of
your hard headedness? Let me go. |
say; let me go!'
He struggled wildly in her grasp.
but it was in vain. Mistress Wander
street was a very strong and q nobly
determined woman and held him In so
firm grip he could do naught but
writhe and groan.
Dirk Van Pelt had a great emotion
and reached great determination
with an almost American swiftness.
He knew that the rafters of the blaz-
ing house would fail in soon-might
tumble in crimson ruin at any mo-
ment. But not in vain did he have In
his veins the blood of the wonderful
race that cut the dikes and drowned
their beloved land rather than Weld it
to the invaders
He went to tank of water and wet
his coat. Throwing it over his head,
he plunged into the burning house. not
needing the shrill cry of distress which
issued from the lips Of the trembling
Ankle.
Five minutes of dreadful suspense
followed, during which the rafters fell
in and sent the sparks flying upward
In mad shower. Surely no one could
live in such a place. Ankle, moaning
plteously. sank to the ground, heed
less Of the crowd of spectators, and
burst out into wild weeping.
Suddenly n shout of Joy arrested her
attention. and. sitting up, she saw
through mist of tears the form of
Dirk issuing from the burning house.
He staggered like n drunken man un-
der the weight Of n huge rack which
held the precious pipes. not one of
which was missing.
Straight to the man who had refused
him his daughters hand stumbled
Dirk Van Pelt. Then as old Jan took
the burden from him the young man
fell senseless at his feet.
When he opened his eyes. Jan Van
derstreet was standing by him. tears
streaming down his cheeks. He took
Dirk's hand, saying brokenly: "a
house one can soon acquire, but such
treasure Of pipes-ah, that takes
very lifetime to acquire. Such deed
as yours, Dirk. Is worthy of any re-
ward What coD do to repay Won p'