The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-02-20
CHAPTER II-Continued

O11<Ak En- 11-OOntAnueQ
3
Selina's quick glance encompassed
the room. In the window were "a few
hardy plants in pots on green-paint-
ed wooden rack There was a sofa
with wrinkled calico cover; three
rocking chairs; some stark crayons of
Incredibly hard-featured Dutch an
clients on the wall. 1t was all neat,
stiff, unlovely. But Selma had known
too many years of clearinghouse ugli-
ness to be offended at this. :
Maartje had lighted small glass
bowled lamp. A steep, uncarpeted
stairway, inclosed, led off the sitting
room. Up this Maartje Pool, talking,
led the way to Selina's bedroom. Sc
lima was to learn that the farm WON
an, often inarticulate through lack of
companionship, becomes torrent of
talk when opportunity presents itself.
A narrow, dim, close-smelling hall
way, uncarpeted. At the end of it
door opening into the room that was
to be Selina's. AS its chill struck her
to the marrow three objects caught
her eyes The bed, huge and
not unhandsome walnut mausoleum,
reared its somber height almost to the
rooms top. The mattress of straw
and cornhusks was unworthy of this
editice, but over it Mrs. Pool had
mercifully placed a feather bed,
stitched and quilted so that Selma
lay soft and warm through the win
ter. Along one wall stood a low chest
so richly brown as to appear black.
\ The front panel of this was curiously
carved. Selma stopped before it and
for the second time that day said:
How beautiful then looked quick
ly round at Maartje Pool as though
fearful of finding her laughing as
Klaas Pool had laughed. But Mrs.
Pools face reflected the glow in her
own She came over to Selma and
stopped with her over the chest, hold
ing the lamp so that its yellow fame
lighted up the scrolls and tendrils of
the carved surface. With one dis
colored foreinger she traced the bold
nourishes on the panel. "See? How
it makes out letters?"
Selma peered closer. "Why, sure
enough! This first ones an 81"
Maartje was kneeling before the
chest now. "Sure an S. For Sophia.
II is IL Holland BRIDES chest. And
here is X. And here is big D. 1t
makes Sophia Kroon Devries. 1t is
anyways two hundred years. My
mother she gave it to me when was
married, and her mother she gave it
to her when she was married, and
her mother gave it to her when she
was married, and her"
Il should think so!' exclaimed Sc
lima, rather meaninglessly; but stem
ing the torrent. whats in it? Any
thing? There ought to be brides
clothes in it, yellow with age
1T isl cried Maartje Pool and gave
a little bounce that imperiled the
lamp. -
mol" The two on their knees sat
smiling at each other, wide-eyed. like
schoolgirls.
"Here--wait." Maartje Pool thrust
the lamp into Selina's hand, raised
the lid of the chest, dived expertly
into its depths amidst great rustling
Of old newspapers. and emerged red
faced with Dutch basque and volum-
nous skirt of silk; an age-yellOw cap
whose wings, stiff with embroidery,
stood out grandly on either side; a
pair of wooden shoes, stained terra
Gotta like the sails of the Vollendam
fishing boats. and carved from toe to
heel in delicate and intricate pat
tern. A bridal gown, bridal cap,
bridal shoes.
"Well!" said Selma, with the feel
ing Of little girl in a rich attic on
a rainy day. She. clasped Nher hands.
May dress up in it sometime%
Maartje Pool. folding the garments
hastily, looked shocked and Mortified.
''Never must anybody dress up in
brides dress, only to get married. 1t
brings had .uck." Then, as Selma
strolsed the stir silken folds of the
skirt with a slim and caressing fore
finger: 80 you get married to a
High Prairie Dutchman l let you wear
It." st this absurdity they both
laughed again. Selma thought that
this schOoI-teaching venture was start