The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-24
THE EVENING STOR Y

~ Virginia Leila went. }


''Merci, monsieur" cried the con-
cierge as he cheerfully took the silver
coin. "A happy Noel monsieur"
Lansing Drake entered the little I'm
passe on the broad Avenue de Maine
shaking his shoulders, for his back
ached. He had been working at the
Louvre for five steady hours-till the
very last fraction of light held out.
Why not? What part had he in the
festivities of these happy French peo-
pie? Was not he one of the homeless
ones, separated by the width of an
ocean from his family?
In his studio apartment, he threw
himself on a divan with pipe and
Journal Amusant. But the Journal
was full of illusions to the season and
somehow, he sighed. The eve of Noel
Christmas eve! It had been the very
best time of the year over there
in his dear Southern home. What were
they doing now? Getting the things
for the trees, and tying up the wreaths
of holly with red ribbon, and hanging
branch of mistle-Oh, pshaw! what
right had he to think of such things
tonight?
A clatter Of sabots across the flag
stone court-the small daughter of the
concierge fetching water from the
tap common to the house; from the
Boulevard Montparnasse the loot of
silence Drake was picking up his pa
per again when
The snow lay on the ground.
The stars shone bright"
Ali 1t was the quaint old English
carol with its liquid, sweet melody,
which he'd learned at his mothers
knee, and 1t was the American girl
across the court who was singing It.
When Christ Our Lord was born
On Christmas night
No wonder the tears came to his
eyes. That particular carol and that
particular girl made up a combina-
ton to which he was bit sensitive, II
the truth had been dragged from him.
Just that very morning he had writ
ten home:
There's a little American girl op-
posite-I don't even know her name
but the mere sight of her keeps me
straight. She's all alone and she's evil
IDENTIFY studying music. AS for her
singing, she has the most beautiful
voice the good God ever saved from
lost violin. voice to make you pray,
little mother, to turn your laughter to
tears, to turn your tears to laughter.
From the day when he had first
seen her, watering her geraniums on
the sill. the window across the court
yonder had become a sort of shrine. |
And at each new glimpse of her an |
uniformed prayer of thanks surged up
within him that creature so lovely |
had been sent by Heaven to keep the
word gentleman" stainless; to make
it thing to strive for and to take d !
cleanly comfort in.
She WAS a stranger too; it was a |
bond between them. Tonight, per-
haps, she was suffering like HIM from !
inconsistencies and loneliness. How /
soon he could make her forget all |
that. They could have a revehIon of
their own and a jolly little supper, |
laughing together IN sheer happiness /
of a mutual understanding of the !
Christmas spirit abroad. Unchaper- |
Oned? What would they need of a |
chaperone, they two? Two tOilers for |
the sake of art: comrades in arms |
made equal in rank by the blessed |
chance OF being both strangers in this |
wonderful old Paris.
There was a moving CLEAN Of some
thing behind the geraniumS yonder; |
the cheese-cIoth curtains stirred, and I
then the window was lifted. She threw
out some crumbs TO some coId-looking
sparroWs. Inc last rays OF the winter
sun touched the fine. white parting
that separated the FURNISHED waves or
hair.
If he only dared speak to her. She
might misJudge him before he had a
chance to show his intentions. But he
would do II. He would seize the mo-
ment while this fit of madness lasted
ana speak to her; in saner mood his
might be unequal to it, He
hurried out OF the room and stood, hat
it hand. IN the court. close to her
window.
Il am your neighbor across the
month since l first saw you, and I've
been wanting to know you SO much, so
much. have no means of obtaining
An introduction. and at the risk of
your displeasure and your scOrn, /
lave ventured to speak to you tonight;
% tell you how the little Christmas
;arol you sang just now, somehow {
lew straight to fellows heart-and
I'D. familiar joys O. the season.
lie held out card. His hand shook /
4 trifie; but the girl did not notice I
She was looking a. him steadily, after I
he first start of surprise. the color
coming and going in her cheeks. But
n her eyes was no fear, no displeasure;
'ather the expectancy of an explorer
Who, venturing far finds the present
good. though that to come be unknown. l
Presently they went out and hailed a c
iacre.
''where shall it be?" asked Drake. 1
'Laure's? Voisin's? Peters? No. I
lave it; Marguery's.
So they drove to Marguery's and .
Drake ordered a bouillebaisse Ito be
Iuite seasonable), and a langouste may ,
nnaise, and bird and some sweets.
They had very jolly little supper s
indeed, and no end of amusement watch
ng the merry-looking French people at n
he tables, all devouring bOuine baisse v
nd other nicer things.
And to thinkr' cried the girl as 2
he clock struck eleven, shivering with
retended aladm, that I'm sitting here =
t this hour, uncnaperoned. in a French =
estaurant-with man who hasn't even
cen conventionally introduced" Il
Don't" cried Drake abruptly. Come Il
We must be going home; it is a bit t
ate"
She was silent while they left Mar e
uery's and hailed a ffacre. Then she K
roke out In a queer little voice that
Yas low and tremulous:
Il think you must have a sister; you
AXE such good care Of a girl"
The hacre rolled into the glare OF an .