Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-24

had gone more than mile from the house the Jog set
tied all around thei-so dense 50 thick botting out
everything, that they could than step
ahead They were not frightened however all they
had to do was to turn round and go straight ahead
toward home The children took anoiers hands at
Gretels direction stretching themselves the road
Katharine, who held Gretes hand, being end of
short time. talking busly though able 10 see where
they going, when suddenly Katharine felt her feet
spe wild ne 10 at e d then e, G d.
right down steep bank, and, splash! into pool of
water at the bottom For nlonient she lay half
as her sense came Oh thought she, must be killed.
or drowned, somethng! She tried to call Gretel'
but her voice sounded weak and far off, and she could
nothing. Slowly she crawed out OF the pool only TO
plunge splash into another She felt, oh, so cold wet
She thought III could find it. might night CHI Climb d'S up
again.. She got up and tried to walk but sank her
ankles in water at every STEP
She little lame from her fall, and soaked from
head to foot Her clothes hung around her most I'M
comfortably when She tried walk, But if she had
crawl on hands and Snees she must find the house
pungiig. tunhling rising again she crawcd nand out
OF ditches every minute getting cold and miserable
But on she went, shverng and sore, every moment
wandering farther from her friends, who
searching all along the bottom OF the dixie
After whit seemed to her long time came bump
up against something hard. She did not know what it
was, but shecoud have jumped for Joy, if her clothes
had not been 50 heavy to hear voice suddenly call
in Dutch What's that? Who has hit against my
Ash was,s N the world have you some irom M,
heart?
"I-I-feli down the dike. l hape-lost-everybody
Oh, how shall L ever get back to father " answered
Katharine in her very poor Dutch.
But tell me- little one, where you fronl--ach!.
cold and wet! -
1 was spending the day with Marie and Grassland
-Jan-and were walking on the dixie when the fog
came on; then fell, and could not find. my way
!. Gretel and Jan-coud they be Juffrouw Van Dyne's
children?"
YES, yes" eagerly; "that is where was Oh,
you take me back, dear, dear juffrouw +
Yes, when the fog clears away, my child. 4 could
here Besides you must put these clothes; you
willqget Your death of cold-poor lanlbkin.a
AT this Kattarines sobs broke forth afres 1t must
be late in the evening now she thought her father
would come to- Mares and would not be able to fnd
No, dear child; it is only four O'Clock in the after
noon The fog may clear away very soon, and then
will take you back 81. =. 81 5 -
about the stove. Katharine presently found herself
wrapped Zip in blankets in great armchair III OF
the fire. cushion at her back and a9tnsr under hsr
and comfortable that she fell fast asleep and awoke two
hours later to find the room quite light the Jog almost
gone, the jufrouw sitting beside her knitting: and
j think have been asleep She said
Il think You have said Dame Douk.
Just then loud knock heard at the door. head
pofed in then another, and still another. The cot
hs srt r bundle pl Ser
Jan with another smaller one, Grete carrying a
pair OF shoes; and of the sisters completely filling
the good e Dame Donk had despatched ! boy from
was, and thai her wardrobe would need replens,ig
The excitement on iudng the child safe and sound
may be betfcrsnnagied than described How she was
kissed, cried and laughed over, what questions were
asked and not answered she WAS taken into adj
joining room and arraysd in complete suit OF Gretes
clothes, to the klonpen, for. alas her French
shoes condition to be worn. the pretty
blue ffock torn and stained and opeessly wet the hat
with its dainty plume crushed and useless indeed every
article she had worn looked oily fit for the ragbag
Gretel was SO much smaller than Katharine that the
clothes werea very tight fit the skirt which hung round
Greters ankles reaching just below Kalarires knees
and funny little figure that stepped back into the
roon,-no longer a fashionaby dressed New YORK
maiden but golden-haifed child of Holland, even to
the blue eyes, sparkling with fun and nierrinent
But didn't yoa bring cap for me. Aare!.' She
asked in grlcvcd toie.
All, no. deary I never thought of a cap
WELL you must put one on me the minute we get
back"
Oh, what win father say - she cried deligtedy,
as she surveyed herself in the little mirror.
This sobcred Marie at once What Would father
say, indeed? Would he not have right to be very
angry with her. that she had allowed the child to get
intos such danger! 80
Where is Katharine. asked the colonel as he stood
tall and commanding, on the threheld later that
ing surveying eight small olandcrs looking so much
alike except for the difference their sizes. that they
might have passed for eight Dutch dolls propped up
in row against the wall
sudden shrek of laughter and one OF the dolls was
in his arms sIiiotfserng him with kisses. Then every
began to talk at once. as usual and 1t was not ut
late the next evening when he and Katharine were
steaning out of Amsterdam that the colonel told
tue whole story and for tile first time fully understood
all that had happened to his Htle girl on that eyentful
day.
Meanwhile the new light in his daughters eyes and
the laughter her lips Kept him from any desire to M
o,,ire too deeply into the reason for certain embar
rassed frightened Hook on the faces of the women
Before leaving Amsterdam the colonel was Obliged to
purchase complete suit of Dutch garments for Kata
rine as niernerto of this visit and because they are
so pretty She said and Oh father Just love
Hoiandi As for those Dutch children think they are
simply the dearest sweetest things ever saw and
have promised write to Grstel as soon - ever get
to Paris"