The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-25
THE EVENING STORY
His Christmas Caller.



| The store fairly radiated the Christ
mas spirit. Crimson bells swung from
every chandelier. Ropes of evergreen
oraped all the shelving. The counters
We're strewn with Christmas cards,
booklets and favors
The man who had dropped in to buy
lead points for his pocket pencil re-
NAMED to pore over stack of gift
heard the voice. After that only his
gaze was on the books. His interest
was concentrated on the possessor Of
the voice.
But you said such things were in
great demand around the holidays. and
1 nave taken infinite pains with these.
with them"
There was a note of tragedy In the
r1ch contralto tones which, together
with beseeching glance from wonder
ful violet eyes, put to rout the rules
ana regulations of the astute buyer of
Christmas novelties. HIS was smart
shop and he had never vouchsafed ex-
PLANTATION to struggling young artists
whose work he declined to sell on COM
mission, but now he picked UP the little
packets OF plate and score cards, gay
with holly, Santa Claus heads, etc.
Let me explain he said. These are
not novelties. They are the same style
OF cards used In the past 20 years, with
the same decorations. Women who can
afford to pay the prices demanded for
hand-painted novelties want something
new. See this poinsetta blossom, not
painted on card, but cut in the shape
of the blossom itself, and this funny
bullying stocking, OVERLOOKING with faces
or pretty girls, for a bachelor. They
are catchy, the sort of things my Gus
toners want. Your work is neat, but
not novel"
Thank you." the girl said bravely.
II understand now, and it is too late
for me to try my hand at novelties. But
perhaps you will keep my cards and if
well, your novelties might not go
around and then, perhaps. some late
customer might buy mine after ALL
Certainly will be glad to keep
them in reserve. Your name and ad-
dress-oh, yes. remember-Miss Sylvia
Leigh, the Grant studios. I will do my
best for you"
Nevertheless. as the girl slipped
through the door, he opened a deep
drawer under the counter and dropped
the cards out of sight. 1t would never
Of pasteboard among the novelties
which appeared to his fashionable trade.
And then very suddenly the man who
had been engrOSSed in leather-bound
gift books stepped up the counter.
"One minute, please. / would like to
take look at those cards you just
bought from the young lady"
The astonished manager of the
store glanced from the well-groomed
man with fine brown eyes and iron
gray hair to the more expensive nov
elites in the showcase.
THE ones you just bought from
the young lady," repeated the custom
err Serenely.
Certainly" responded the manager
and he spread forth the de-
spised bits of pasteboard. The work
was dainty, but utterly commonplace.
"Just what my sister would like
is-don't go in for new tangled ideas. |
I'll take those-three dozen? Not
Do you suppose the girl
could do two dozen more by the day |
before Christmas? If she can, send |
EN- to me. James Macy at Marquette. |
I'll take these with me-
And almost before he could realize /
what had happened the manager was
gaping, open-mouthed, after
his eccentric customer whose sister /
covers on Christmas day and intrust-
ID the buying of such important ar
icles as dinner favors to an obviously
bachelor brother.
Christmas eve was frosty and star
1t, James Macy, coming home from
1is office, smiled somewhat grimly at
he holiday preparations made by his
aithful man. T.
n plenty, great wreaths with massive
BOWS of satin ribbon, bowl filled
With scarlet poinsetta blooms, and on
me table orderly stack of parcels
Messenger to the popular but elusive
For elusive he was dubbed
" matchmaking mothers. II
Now he stood before the bowl filled
With poinsetta, lingering the crimson
,etals thoughtfully. Ii
"a young lady to see you, SIR, re-
marked his man fmpassively. II
James Macy took the card. II
miss Sylvia Leigh" ran its legend. s
She came to him, looking taller
y do, In thn oh
cad was held high, with an ungirlish 6
mixture of imperiousness and defiance. I
You will pardon my coming here {
n Christmas eve-and unchaperoned. !
ou." The violet eyes had turned al
1ost black, the contralto voice was a c
it too even in its tones. {
81 am hOnored." replied James !
facy gravely, and he offered her a }
hair, which she declined with a wave }
f her gloveC hand. g
cit was hard enough to know that t
he man who bought my foolish little G
did it through a sense of
ity, but to learn that he was also the
IAN who wrecked my mothers life
was too much. have come
} return your money, and ask the
eturn of my cards. If you have not
lready destroyed them"
INV dear girl" expostulated the
IAN, who had turned strangely white f.
round his lips.
please do not interrupt me- con- a
nued the girl passionately. my h
lother's brother--perhaps you re-
lember him, Henry Johnson is here. n
lie went to the shop and found out t
here my cards had gone-oh, it Is
1ch a miserable little farce to you t
successful man. I thought could q
e an artist. They told me 50 at
ONE Against uncle's wishes I came Il
ere to make my little fight and p
liled. When you bought those things
thought perhaps-but uncle, who 81
anted me to go home, sifted the 81
DRY to the bottom and found-you. II
am going home with linn tonight.
m not sorry I came. 1t is a good IL