or, The Silver Skates 309

““How red and freckled and ugly he is!” was Annie’s
secret comment when she looked at him.

“¢ How she stares, and stares!” thought Janzoon. “ Well,
I am a fine, weather-beaten fellow, anyway.”

“Janzoon Kolp, you impudent boy, go right away from

1

me
pany.”

“Ha, ha!” laughed Janzoon to himself. Girls never
say what they mean. Ill skate with her every chance I can
get.”

And so it came to pass that the pretty maid would not

Annie often said. “J don’t want any of your com-

look up that morning, when, skating homeward from Am-
sterdam, she became convinced that a great, burly boy was
coming down the canal toward her.

“ Humph! if I look at him,’ thought Annie, “ I ’Il—”

1»

“ Good-morrow, Annie Bouman said a pleasant voice.

[How a smile brightens a girl’s face !]

‘“*Good-morrow, Master Hans! I am right glad to meet
you.”

[How a smile brightens a boy’s face !]

‘“‘Good-morrow again, Annie! There has been a great
change at our house since you left.”

‘* How so? ” she exclaimed, opening her eyes very wide.

Hans, who had been in a great hurry, and rather moody,
grew talkative, and quite at leisure, in Annie’s sunshine.
Turning about, and skating slowly with her towards Broek,
he told the good news of his father. Annie was so true
a friend, that he told her even of their present distress, —
of how money was needed, and how everything depended
upon his obtaining work; and he could find nothing to do

in the neighborhood.