The Pensacola journal., 1906-04-07
The J0aynaI'S Daily ShOyt Story
Beauty's Christmas Tree
BY EMILIA ELLIOTT
Copyright, 1903, by Charles N. Lurie.

hAAAA Al5IL III lnC AAAaAAC VI LAAC ACtt ~
Full of action, isn't It? What do you
Think?
81 think the hero is a splendid mark,
and l wonder that he got away" said
Florence. But there's a heap Of good
drawing in that picture. You've told
the truth. no matter what the author
has done"
"As to that" responded Varick, II
suppose Chase doesn't know much
about shooting. He's made his reputa-
ton as a portrayer of simple life and
homely characters. That's where he
stumps me. 1 made that picture in two
days and had no trouble at all, but I'm
going crazy over this one" And as he
spoke he set another board upon the
easel.
THAT little girl is seeing her first
Christmas tree" explained Varick
''The heroine-a New York society belle
named Livingstone-and Loren, the ex-
schOOlmaster, take q fancy to a child
between three and four years old and
get up Christmas celebration for her.
They set up the tree behind a curtain
in Miss Livingstone's drawing. room
and bring in the little girl-Beauty-
without telling her what she's going to
see. Here's the passage in the story:
will you draw the curtain or will ~
asked Miss Livingstone.
4 think you had better answered LO-
rem in a gently authoritative tone, remi-
niscent Of his schoOlmaster days.
cat that moment Beauty. who had es-
capped from the maid, came running into
the room, exclaiming: Where is my
Christmas tree? I want 1t right nowT
Loren gathered the child in his arms
and talked to her wisely of the virtue Of
patience. while Miss Livingstone darken-
ed the room, so that the lights upon tho
tree shone through the curtain, just like
the beautiful stars in heaven as little
Beauty said.
"At last all was ready, and Miss Living
stone proceeded to slowly draw aside the
curtain until the glittering marvel was
revealed. Then Loren could no longer
hold the clll1, though he would have
liked to have done so. Quick and elusive
as a fairy. he was unable to hold her.
With outstretched arms, as II to clasp
the tree and all its wealth Of good things
to her little bosom, the eager child sprang
forward.
That's what I'm trying to show"
said Varick, ''but so17ahow can't man.
age It. The child eludes NE 5mEt as she
eluded Loren in the story. I've had
half a dozen models here, but they
won't do anything. They Just stand
still, as If they were hypnOtized. 1
suppose l don't know how to manage
them. I'm not accustomed to children"
The girl in that picture is seventeen
years DID, said Florence.
"After the children went back on me
1 got Lucy to pose just on the chance
Of a suggestion, and Sister Lucy is not
in her hrst youth. She's thirty; that's
what she is, though perhaps oughtn't
to mention it. However" he proceeded,
1--WE got the scheme now. I'm going to
reproduce the scene, by jingo! There's
my tree, there's my curtain, and I've
bought lot Of candles and orna-
ments'-
"Have you chosen your model?'
There are the ones I've had here al
ready, Of course, but I'd like a new one.
Don't you know a little girl who could
play Beauty in my sceneP
II know one who'll look the part" an
swered Florence, "but whether she can
play it,
"That'lI be all right when she has the
tree to look at. She'll run for it fast
enough. When can you bring herP'
''T'll have her here at 2 o'clock this
afternoon"
He thanked her heartily and prom
ised help in return for hers.
Gas soon as this job is off my hands,"
said he, "I'll take hold Of your work
with you, and We'll thump it into
shape You can't fall Florence.
won't have it. Just look at it as a mat
ter Of life or death and fight your way
through"
Promptly at 2 Florence brought the
model and at the sight Of the child
Varick's joy nearly paralyzed him.
ideal, ideal-absolutely idealr' be
cried and repeated the words over and
over again as if he had no more in his
acabulary.
The child clung to Florence and ex- (
nibited a lively terror whenever the
wild eyed artist approached her
II suppose a studio is a strange spec
tacle for her." said Varick.
"At three and a half" responded
Florence, ''most spectacles are strange.
She'll get used to it. That's what living
ls-'a process Of getting used to things
Nice place, isn't it, BeautyT
Eyes" said the child.
What's your name for this after
noonT
''Reauty," answered the little girl
And she laughed timidly, as II asking
permission.
''What are you going to seer"
'sTris'mas tree"
''What is it like2"
Beauty hid her face In the folds Of
gown and refused to reply.