The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-10-28

nad inspired the girl with this insane
notion Of staying in Paris to study
art? She argued and scoided, but all
in vain. Connie was young person
Of determined mind. and on this
subject she was more than usually de-
termined. Her mother finally resigned
herself to the prospect of being an ex-
lie from her beloved native land, for. Of
course, where Connie stayed she had
to stay, too, until Connie wearied Of
this latest whim. Mrs. Curwin de-
voutly hoped that it would be soon.
However. there was one alleviation |
for her misery. Connie seemed to have
lost her enthusiasm over doing the ex- !
position. She spent her time investi
eating art schools and studios. leaving |
her mother to plunge into all the de-
lights of shopping. of which the good
woman did not soon tire. To be sure.
Connie might have shown Ettle more
interest in her purchases, 1t was all
very well to say that as an art student
she would need few clothes. Mrs. Cur
win knew better. Connie had always
been fond Of clothes, and some day she
would wake up from her art dreams
and find that her wardrobe was bare.
But her daughters Indifference Ito
her real interests" did not prevent
Mrs Curwin from entering eagerly
into all her plans for the studio. II
only they had brought some Of their
home furniture with them. Connie
tried to explain patiently how out Of
place the heavy. elegantly upholstered
pieces would be in studio and how
much more delightful it would be to
pick up the necessary things one ut a
time in the various curio shops. This
last idea was balm to her mothers
rutfled feelings 1t offered such H.
finite possibilities for shopping.
With this laudable object in view
she soon became familiar figure to
all the curio dealers. Connie was
usually the interpreter, but If. as often
happened, she did not care to go Mrs.
| Curwin never lacked the courage to
go alone. Each day she came home
with some new treasure, and the girl
had not the heart to spoil her delight
by reminding her that they already
had enough traps to fill two ordinary
studios.
These were weary days for Connie.
and yet she was too proud to contide
her suferings to her mother. What
good would it do anyway to disturb
| nd CHI hOs1
word from Jim in answer to her note.
Small wonder, for what could he say?
And yet-and yet-he might have
She had been sitting on bench in
the Jardin des Tuileries, and now she
rose with start and tried to enjoy
the fountains splashing and glittering
under the July sun and the pretty
French children with their bonnes in
peasant caps.
AS she glanced down the path she
saw a we'll dressed American looking
from side to side as If in search OF
some one. Her heart gave leap. He
looked like Nonsense! She was al
ways imagining that she saw him.
The gentleman came directly toward
her There was no mistaking hin
now. 1t was Jim.
She gazed at him. Then the GLAD
light died from her face.
"You! Herev' she said slowly.
'Just got in from New York." wa!
the cheerful reply. "Found your moth
er on the Rue de Rivoli. so here am.
And he took her unresisting hand.
"You don't say you're glad to SCI
me. That's rough when a chap come
SO many miles to see you. dear"
The "dear" acted like an clectri
shock. Wrenching free her hand. sh
faced him with blazing eyes.
"You know you ought not to be here
YOU ought to be at Newport wit
Maud"
Jim seized both hands now. He ha
forgotten the people, forgotten every
thing but the white, tense face Of tn
little American girl.
Connie, dear, It's all a dreadful mi:
take, and came over just as soon a
l could arrange it to tell you the trutl
) It's Cousin James, from Colorado, wt
s is engaged to Maud. and the stupi
newspaper made the error But
= never guessed you'd care so muc
S dearest"
f =
II Mrs. Curwin found them at the pei
sion sitting in the dusk. AS usual, ht
l. arms were filled with bundles.
a Connie" she cried triumphantly,
Il have found the greatest bargains fl
r. your studio-a pair of bellows and
e leather cushion and'-
''Studio!'' Jim interrupted. Som
how Connie had forgotten to tell hi
)" about her winter plans.
a He listened to Mrs. Curwin's expla
Dt ations with smile.
le II guess We'll be making use of {
if these things In New York, won't "
" Conniey'
III And Connie smiled back Yes"