Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-04-24
Cupid'S
P:n.c -
By MARION DEXTER.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.
BY MARION DEXTER.

Jhu NuuutEotEtct NuS WtuOul uuuUt
and by unanimous consent, especially
his own, the leading citizen OF the lit
tie painted village OF Dykheld.
Therefore when he impaired to his
fellow citizens the information that he
had bought n large tract of land In
America, where fortunes were to be
made In an incredible hurry. half a
hundred very substantial and phleg-
matte Hollanders marshaled their fam
lilies after grave elaboration and en-
parked with him, after selling their
queer little painted houses and tulip
gardens and cows with true Dutch
thrift.
Jan yanderstreet took with him his
wonderful collection Of pipes. famed
throughout all Gelderland and even
beyond that beautiful district. He
also took with him what he valued al
most as much as his pipes-his very
buxom and still blooming wife. his
blooming daughter. Ankle. and his
blooming orphaned niece. Johanna de
Koop.
The only member Of the party Of
Holland Adventures who was not tru-
~ substantial. according to sound
Dutch standards. was Dirk Van Pelt
Mynheer vanderstreet had frowned
on his admission as a member OF the
solemn exodus. But Dirk had cunrng
~ used such n-Hollandlike haste IN
putting his entire patrimony of $1,000
into the speculation that be had an in
terest In II before the more deliberate
mynheer knew It,
Jan vanderstreet did not like this at
all. The trouble was that Dirk was
altogether too fond OF Ankle. II the
broad shouldered, sturdy, handsome
youth had only exhibited enough sense
to be fond of some one not In the Van
derstreet family the mynheer might
have felt quite glad to have him In
the party. for Dirk was not at all dis
agreeable to anybody, with his kind
smile and his readiness to help every
one who needed 1t.
Mynheer Vanderstreet determined to
keep close watch during the voyage.
But what could one do on shipboard?
Could a worthy Dutchman OF five and
sixty be expected to go on guard over
his daughter when all the men folks
were smoking their pipes on deck,
telling tales of the past and speculat-
ing about the future? Truly not.
The chaperonage Of Ankle was there
fore left to her mother. But even ON
shipboard that industrious Dutch
housewife could not be idle. and when
one has huge stocking and ball Of
yarn, also set Of knitting needles. In
hand 1t is not always convenient to
follow a will-o'-the-wisp OF a girl.
Besides, Johanna was always with
her cousin. and lovemaking when a
third person Is present Is not so easy
to carry on. At least so argued Mis-
tress vanderstreet. forgetting that
there is language Of the eye which
expresses as clearly as speech what Is
In ones heart and that pressure OF
the hand may convey an assurance of
iov. just ns plainly as il one SAID
aloud. Il love you"
Although Dirk had little opportunity
Of telling Ankle of his love by word Of
mouth. that he was her devoted slave
and wished for no greater happiness
than to call her his wife. Ankle knew
what was In his heart, because she re-
turned his love.
BY the end Of the voyage Dirk knew
that her heart was In his keeping, and
he determined to wrest from the soil
Of the prairie living that would enti-
tie him to old vanderstreet's respect.
Busy days followed the arrival Of
the Hollanders in the little Iowa set
Element. Ground was broken, teams
purchased, grain sowed and houses
erected.
The vanderstreet residence was the
most pretentious in the place. but the
cottage built by Dirk Van Pelt was as
pretty little Dutch home rs any ro-
mantle girl would wish.
Vines were planted and soon grew
about the porch, bed Of tulips faunt-
ed gayly colored blossoms In the front
yard. and a kitchen garden Hourished
In the rear.
| uiubc ooOn PAoopSAeu WIN Dh n,
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 to
understand that he wished to hear no
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 mp
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 babe him have patience.
Dirk continued to work his little
place industriously, hoping TO hear