The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-05-06
shoes making as much noise as III.

modern f1re engine.
1T Is Jan vanderstreets!" some one
screamed. "The place is doomedv'
On hearing these words Dirk ran
faster than before aud outstripped
the crowd. When he reached the
house he found the family coming out.
laden with plumber, and heard Mistress
Vanderstreet exclaim: mo more must
we go back! 1t is not safe, and It is
better to lose ones goods than one's
life.'
But my pipes! Ny precious pipesv'
cried old Jan, all his phlegmatic rest
fulness gone. Il must get them"
His wife seized him firmly by the
arm.
THAT you shall not do. Everything
is anre. will not let you risk your
life for set Of worthless pipes"
worthless pipesw Numbered Jan.
How dare You speak SO? They are a
part Of my life. I have been collect.
Ing them all my life long, until now
more than a hundred hang in my rack.
And must lose them all because OF
your hard headedness? Let me 20. I
say: let me go!'
He struggled wildly in her grasp.
but II was In vain. Mistress Wander
street was a very strong and a nobly
determined woman and held him In so
hrm a grip he could do naught but
writhe and groan.
Dirk Van Pelt had great emotion
aud reached great determination
with an almost American swiftness.
He knew that the rafters Of the blaz-
Ing house would fall In soon-might
tumble In crimson ruin at any mo-
ment But not in vain did he have in
bis veins the blood Of the wonderful
race that cut the bikes and drowned
their beloved land rather than yield II
to the invaders.
lie went TO tank Of water and wet
his coat. Throwing II over his head.
ne 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 tn such place. Ankle. moaning
piteously. sank 10 the ground. heed.
less OF the crowd OF spectators, and
burst out into wild weeping.
Suddenly shout OF Joy arrested her
attention. and. sitting up, she saw
through a mist Of tears the form OF
Dirk Issuing from the burning house.
He staggered like drunken man I'm.
der the weight Of a huge rack which
held the precious pipes. not one OF
which was missing.
Straight 10 the man who had refused
him bis daughters hand stumbled
Dirk Van Pelt. Then as old Jan took
the burden from him the young man
fell senseless nj 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
a treasure Of pipes-ah. that takes a
very lifetime 10 acquire. Such deed
as yours. Dirk. Is worthy Of any re-
ward. What can do 10 repay your
Raising himself on HIS elbow. Dirk
summoned Ankle. who was lowering
near. Then. with determined glance.
he signiiied 10 her father what reward |
he wished.
$50" said Jan slowly. '.you still |
want Ankle; ! have already told you
she was not FOR you. bui--take her,
Dirk Van Pclt. She Is yours. All. what
4 collection Of plpesl What coloring. |
What noble bowls and what grand |
STEMS
Ankle Is worth all the pipes that |
EVER were made or ever win be made"
the happy lover. holding her
hand tightly In his own and gazing
adoringiy into her tender blue eyes.
Perhaps so. perhaps So" muttered
Ian absentiy. but such pipes as
mine lie turned and summoned a
man 20 help him carry the rack Of
pipes 10 place Of safety
md left the lovers still looking happily
INTO each others eyes.