SUZE'S LOVE LETTER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9642, 14 January 1899, Page 3

SUZE'S LOVE LETTER.

By Ellis Marstost.

Swiah went tbe well-directed rain

against the second floor windows of Mevrouw Ten Bruggenkate's house in Haarlem, and Suxe, looking up, received an impromptu shower bath on' her pretty face. Pretty would Suze be accounted anywhere, and just then she looked particularly so, as she laughed back at Betji, who was looking down at her from an open window. Mevrouw Ten Bruggenkate was away for a day or two, visiting her rich" brother Cornelius in Amsterdam, and we all know what happens in every country when the cat is away. Suze poised the syringe again and sent another jet against the windows, standing further back as she did so, that the shower might not descend again upon her face. Suze had a complexion of milk and roses, eyes like a blue porcelain, and soft straight hair of light brown, which was parted on her forehead and put neatly away behind her white frilled cap. Her blue woollen skirt was pinned up over a scarlet petticoat,' and her white ribbed stockings, knitted by her own deft fingers, were tucked into pointed wooden shoes.

Swish — this time the shower was directed against the first floor windows.

'You are well set to work, Suze,' said a voice bohiDd her. ' See how you have drenched my hat.' ' Ton Bhould not go near the windows,' Suze replied, without

turning her hend. ' Why, I had a note to deliver to Mina, the cook, so I bad no choice. Your mistress returns to- morrow, and brings Mynheer Cornelius with her for one night only; and Movrouw desires Mina to prepare his favorite chicken mayonnaise, without which the Heer hardly thinks life worth living ' Suez turned round and confronted the speaker, a good-looking young fellow, in a blue serge jacket, wide knickerbockers of the same material, and a large grey felt hat. ' Oh, it's you Jan,' she said innocently. ' Dag, Jan." ' Dag, Suze. So you did not know me at first ?' i

Suze's color heightened ever so little, but she did not reply, and sent the water against the ground windows with a will.

' I brought you something, 1 said Jan, taking a lea rosebud from the little basket he held ; he added to it a spray of maidenhair fern, and then with a pin which he extracted out of his jacket pinned the flower to the front of Suze's dress.

Now, you look like a flower yourself,' he said with an unwonted poetic outburst. • You will be late home if you loiter here, Jan, and you know that Mynheer Cornelius is very exact.' 'True,' he said. 'Good-bye. Suze, look out for the postman,' and with a wave of his hand he was gone. • What had Jan to say to theo ?' asked Betji, appearing again at the top floor window. '.Oh, that Mevrouw was coming home to-morrow. Oh, yes,, and he mentioned also the flowers.'

' Does Mynheer Cornelius exhibit at the orchid show the end of this month ?' asked Berji. ' Surely, yes, for he took several prizes hat year, and Jan was highly commended by the judges.' _ ' I know not,' said Suze indifferently. ' I had not time for gossip, and, Betji, the windows are finished whilst thou haa been lazying, and now I am ready to help thee with the linen.'

! Three days afterwards the postman ietV<-a letter for Suze. It was addressed 'in a large round round, and after minutely inspecting it nbe put it away in a little locked box, where Bhe kept a bag of dried rose leaves, her beat earrings and pocket handkercßie'ff?, her Bible and prayer book, and the other little odds and ends which made up the sum total of

lier treasures.

' Suze and Betji occupied together alonglowioom at the top of the House, where two little wooden bedsteads, hung with the whitesh of dimity, awaited them after the day's work was over. At nine o'clock both the maidens were in bed, and Belji's regular breathing speedily announced that Bhe was in the land of dreams. Then Suze cautiously lit a candle, and stealing out of bed openod her rosewood box, and took therefrom a letter, which she had not yet opened. It was not long, but Suze took a long lime in read-

ing it. 1 Respected and dear Suze —it began. ' The tulips are now in full bloom, and the roses are coming on apace, The orchids also are beginning to make & ghow, and I think we shall have the finest flowers of all this year. We exhibit at The Hague next month ; and Heer says if he is awarded first medal he will raise my wages. He has oho given me a house noar Myn Brough, which, as you know, is his country estate. It is small but commodious, the door and window frames are deep red, and the front of the house is stained yellow. The window will look well with lace curtains such as my mother has laid by. There is a small garden in front where flowers may be cultivated, and a large one at the back which will grow onions and cabbages, How much dost thou think it will take to furnish the house ? And dost thou think wall paper of blue or red will look best ? Thesß questions I should like answered. I hope tbe honorable lady, the mistress is well.— Thy friend and well wisher, Jan Vreede.'

Suzb read this epistle through three timeß, and replaced it in the fragrant little box, which she carefully locked, and put the key under her pillow. Suze took a week to think over Jan's letter, and during that time she was rather dißtrait, so that her mistress had to call her to account. She brought in the tea water several times very much off the boil, and used the same duster three days running, a crime utterly forbidden

in Mevrouw Ten Bruggenkate's household.

Then one day when Mina. the cook, was busy elsewhere, and Betji had been allowed out to tea with a friend, Suze sat down in the kitchen and wrote her letter. <

' Eespected friend Jan. — The honored Mevrouw, my mistresw, is in good health. I am glad to hear that the tulips are blooming, aud that the roseo are forward. It is also good news that the orchids will make ao fine a show. Thy mother will rejoice tbat the honored Heer approves of thee, and intends to show his approval as thou has said. It is my opinion, after thinking long Ou tho subject, that red paper looks best with some rooms and blue with others. The lace curtains will go well with the windows, and thy mother I know well to be a clever and thrifty housewife. I look to j thee to assure her of my dutiful respects. As to the expenses of furnishing I know little, but can consult my mother as thou canst thine. It rejoices my heart to know that tulips may be cultivated in the front gardea, and that onions and cabbages will grow well at the back. — Thy friend and well-wisher, Suze Klops. 1

When Su7,o finished her epistle she asked leave oE her mistress to go and post it.

'Yes,- child, and take these of mine at the same time,' said Mcv romr, putting half a dozen into the girl's hand?. She went to the post, and just as she was dropping the lettero in an acquaintance from one of the neighboring houses came there on the same errand, anJ in the interesting conversation that ensued poor Suze did not notice that her letter to Jan fell on to the ground, and that a mischievous little breeze out for a holiday seized it and whirled it away round the corner of a street, finally dropping it into a water butt which stood in a backyard. She went back with a heart at ense, feeling that the die was cast, aud that she had only to wait until the orchid show was over to give her three months' notice to her mistress.

But week followed week and there came no sign from Jan, nor did she ever see him coming to the house with messages and letters. At first she thought it was because Jan was busy preparing for the orchid show ; but when that was long past, and still she neither saw nor heard anything of him, Suze's heart began to ache at his apparent desertion on the part or an old and tried friend.

'You aro looking pale and ill, Suze,' said Mevrouw Ten Biuggenkute'toher one day. 'You had belter pack up your things and go home for a week.'

In vain Suza protested that ehe was perfectly well. Her mistress was resolute, and in (he end the girl had to give way and go.

' Well, child, 1 said her mother, a short, stout woman with generous waist and hips ; ' so thou hnst been getting ill up yonder. Ah ! in town it is no wonder that folk are never well. My poor head aches always with the noise whenever I go to Rotterdam, if only fora few days. But out hore where it is quiet always and the air is pure, thou wilt soon be well again.' Suze looked mournfully out on

the landscape, and thought it had never "looked so dreary. Far away, as far as the eye could reach, spread grazing meadows; oh the canal a barge was slowly wending its way, and tho red caps of the men ou board made Iho only bit of bright coloring in the landscape. A herd of black nnd white cows, of which old Piet Klops, Suie's father, had charge, grazed in< the foreground ; pollard willows, grew everywhere, and against the '.hozizon the sails of windmills whirled unceasingly. The girl shrank and shivered a little.

' tieaven send thou hast not the ague, 1 exclaimed Vrouw Klops, bustling to the cupboard and bring ing out an infallible remedy for that malady, * Ah, theße cities ! They are indeed nurseries of all evils, both of mind and bodj .'

Old Piet Klops was away in Amsterdam, whither he had gone to buy some cows. Mynheer Cornelius, his master, had large herds already, but he was one of those men de nounced in Scripture who are ever ready to increase their stock ot possessionu. Piet had,, various errands in the city, and did not return until Suze had been at home three days. ' Groat news in Amsterdam,' he said, regaiding bis daughter narrowly, as he sat over his bread and cheese. ' Jan Vreede is, they say, betrothed to Vrouw Stene, the 1 ich widow of tho grccer. I had. not thought that Jan was on tho lookout for money, but so it is, Tho Heer took first prize for orchids at The Haguo, and Jan has now a higher salary ; but, if he mari'ies Vrouw Steene he will likely give rip his gardening and take to the shop.' I Where art thou going, Suze ?' for she was vanishing through the open door. I 1 forgot to feed the hens, 1 the girl answered, in a faint voice. The old Dutchman ehook his head solemnly. After ho had finished his meal ho shook it again ; and when he bad finished his beloved pipe, and, retiring to the bench outside the cottage door, was oojjying the sweets of well-earned repose, he shook it many times,

At this precise time Jan Vreede was e&toving the sbop of Vrotiw Steene, with a long list of articles which the cook had desired him to order on his way to the station. Jan looked graver than when Suze had last seen him, and his brown eyes had a puzzled expression, as if be were trying to solve some problem which was too hard for him.

Vrouw Steene, a buxom widow, with lively black eyes and a comely visage, was serving in her shop when he entered, and hor face lit up with a smile as she saw him, for Jan was always a welcome caller, not only for his own sake, but also because Mynheer Cornelius was a good cus tomer, and never grumbled at her prices,

' Dng, Jap,' she said ; and Jan, taking off his hat, responded : ' Dag, Vrouw Steene, and how goea the world with you ?' ' Well enough,' answered the widow, with a sigh, ' but the business i:> too much for me. It needs a stronger hand and head than mine to keep it going as it should, Mynheer Vreede.'

' Ah, ja, 1 said Jan, absently. ' See Anna has given me this list to bring to you, and will be glad if you will send the things as soon ns possible. lamon my way to Haarlem. Any messages or commissions, Vrouw Steone? You have relatives there, I believe.'

1 Thanks, 1 said the Vrouw, looking at him critically. ' I will trouble you with a small basket to leave with my aunt Janssen ; lam always glad to send her a few things. Are you going to call at Mevrouw Ten Bmegenkate's house? 1

' Jd ; the Heer has Bent her some cuttings, and I am to stay and see them properly set.'

lAh ! then you will have a long talk with Suze. A nice maiden is Suze.'

'Ja ' said Jan, indifferently, ' but I have not seen Suze for long. 1 No,' with an air of wonderment-, why I thought that — report did say

' Keport lies, 1 said Jan angrily. ' But now,' continued tbe widow, 'it Bays that the policeman Keppel loiters about the house, aid it is surmised Suze is not indifferent to him. 1 The unwonted color flushed Jan's face, but ho made no answer, and with a bow to Vrouw Steene, left the shop and mada his way to the station.

1 .'•'o, so,' said the widow, nodding her head complacently, ' you may spill your coffee while raising it to your lips, it seems.' Jan hurried on to tbe station, more perturbed in spirits than ever he had been in his life before. Suze false to him — she whom he had ever believed to be tho incarnation of truth and steadfastness. Oh ! a thousand devils ; why could he not have been contented in th« society of tulips and orchids, and not have troubled himself about such frivolous things 11s women.

When he reached the dwelling of Mevrouw Ten Bruggerikate, Jan was in as bad a temper aa it was possible for a very good-natured Dutchman to be. Opposite the house he caught sight of the policeman Keppel strolling along and 00 > casionally looking up at the house, and Jan fell vastly inclined to give nim a taste pi bis strong fists. But, remembering the dignity of his master, as also that the policeman was a larger and more powerful man than himself, he prudently restrained his wrath, and went up the steps.

Betji opened the door to him with a smile and a blush, ' Good morning, Jan ; it is long since you have been here.' '

' Yes ; I have been very busy. How is your honorable mistress ?'

1 My honorable mistress is well, but you do not inquire after old friends, Jan.'

1 Ab, yourself; I can see tbafc you are well and rosy. How .is Minaj the cook ?'

' Minn, the cook, is also well,' nnswered Betji demurely, ' but someone else is not. Someone else has gone away sick.' 'Indeed,' said Jan; 'and who is that ?' ' Can you not guess, Jan ? You used not to be so thick-headed. Why, Suze, of course. She has gone home ill.'

Jan nearly dropped the basket iv bis consternation.

1 Indeed, I had heard nothing of it, I swear to you, Betji.' 'No ? Oh, I daresay not ! Yon have been too much occupied with the rich widow Steene to remember old friends.'

' The widow Steene,' echoed Jan contemptuously. Then, with energy, •Betji, dear Betji, tell me what it all means. 1

' Why, you see, Jan, you never came here, and Suze got paler and thinner, till wo all thought she would go into a decline, and so Mevrouw sent her off home, think* ing the change would benefit her.'

' Why, 1 said the bewildered Jan, ' I thought I heard that Suze had token up w'lh the policeman Eeppel.'

• The policeman Keppel,' cried Betji shrilly. 'Noj Mynheer Jan, the policeman Keppel is courting' me. 1 ' OOh,'h — h,' said Tan, with it long whistle. 'Here, Belji, you very good girl, tell your mistreßs I have brought her some cuttings from Cornelius, and R'.n to stay and get them set ; so let me get to work at onco, for I have plenty to do elsewhere.'

* * * *

Tl c sun was setting over Holland, and canal and mere and broad meadows were all tinged with his dying glory. Old Piet Klops sat in hi 3 arbor, puffing at a long clay pipe, and occasionally taking a pull at a jug of ale which stood on the bench beside him, while at the open door of the house his wife sat at her knitting. Suze was at the back hanging led aud blue petticoats to to dn on a line, when the garden gnte opened with a hasty click, and a otrong decided step came up the little walk. "Good day, Vrouw Klops j where ia Suze ?'

' Good day', Jan ; it is long since thou bast been to sec uh, for an old friend and neighbor, bur.s Is out at the back ; I will go and call her.'

1 Nay, I will go myself,' said the young man, and, not waiting for the good dame, he strode out of the door aud round to tho back of the house. A. Dale girl wus standing poygiug garments 011 tho lino. Could thia be his blooming Suze?

With two strides Jan reached her, and catching her waist from behind before she was aware of him; imprinted a hearty kiss on both her cheeks. With a little scream Sux-i drew away from tho bold intruder, but) turning, caught sight of Jau'a

happy laughing taee, and threw her arms round his neisk.

'What are you two doing so long out there? 1 inquired Vrouw Klops, as she emerged from the back door shortly afterwards. •Mother,' said Jan, leading up the blushing Suze, ' we have only been putting a tanglod skein straight.'