The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-02-03
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AS Judge Healey, graY-haired but
erect walked up the avenue his keen
glance fell on Gerry Lansing standing
across the street before an art desl-
er's window. Gerry's eyes were fas-
tened on a picture that he had long
had in mind for certain nook n the
library Of the town house.
1t was the second anniversary of his
wedding, and though it was already
late in the afternoon Gerry had not
yet chosen his gift for Alix. He
turned from the picture with last
long look and shrug and passed on
to a palatial jewelers. farther up the
street.
For many years Judge Healey had
been foster-father to Red Hill in gen.
eral and to Gerry in particular. With
almost womanly intuition he read
what was in Gerry's mind before the
picture and acting on impulse the
judge crossed the street and bought it
While the judge was still In the pic
ture shop Gerry came out OF the jew
eler's and started briskly for home.
He had purchased a pendant of bril-
liants, extravagant for his purse but
yet saved to good taste by simple
originality in design.
He waited until the dinner hour and
then slipped his gift into AIlx' hand
as they walked down the stairs to-
gether. She stopped beneath the hall
| light. II can't wait, dear, | simply
can't" She snapped open the case.
"Oh?' she gasped "How dear! How
perfectly dear! You old sweetheart!'
She threw her arms around his neck
| and kissed him twice. Then she few
away to the drawing room in search
of Mrs Lansing and the judge, the
sole guests to the little anniversary
dinner. Gerry Strengthened his tie
and followed.
Alix' tongue was rippling-her whole
body was rippling-with excitement
and pleasure. She dangled her treas
ure before their eyes. She laid II
against her warm neck and ran to 8
mirror The light in her eyes matched
the light in the stones. The judge
took the jewel and laid it in the palm
of his strong hand. 1t looked in dan
ger of being crushed. "A beautiful
thing, Gerry" he said, land we'll cho
sen. Some poet jeweler dreamed tina
twining design and set the stones
while the dew was still on the grass
After dinner the four gathered IL
the library, but they were hardly seat
ed when AliX sprang up. Her glance
had followed Gerry's startled gaze
} He was staring at the coveted pictur
he had been looking at in the CALLER.
that afternoon. 1t hung in the MICH
in which his thoughts had placed II
Alix took her stand before it. Sh
glanced inquiringly at the others. Mrs
= Lansing nodded at the judge. ALI
turned back to the picture and Sravit
stole into her face. Then she face
the judge with a smile.
: Eve live" she said, Gin Philistin
: age, don't we? But I've never let an
Philistinism drive pictures from thei
right place in the heart. Pictures /
l art galleries." she shrugged her pre-
! ty shoulders-"I have not been traine
up to them. To me, they are mount
ed butterflies in museum, cut flow
+. ers crowded at the florists. But thi
, picture and that noOk--they hav
t waited for each other"
strange stiffness followed on ALI
, words. To the judge and to Gerry
t was as though the picture had opene
3 a window to her mind. Then sh
closed the window. Come, Gerry,
! she said, turning. Make your boz
: to the judge and bark"
Gerry was excited, though he di
: not show it. "You have dressed m
: thoughts In words I can't equal" b
t said and strolled out on to the littl
r veranda at the back of the house. q
: wanted to be alone for moment an
q think over this fash of light that ha
e followed a dark day. For the first tim
in long while Alix had revealed be-
J. self. He did not begrudge the judg
{ his triumph. He knew instinctivel
: that coming from him instead of frol
:. the judge the picture would not hav
: struck that intimate spark.
|. The next day Gerry gave his conser
to Alix' plan for flying trip abroaC
9 but with a reservation. The reservI
a ton was that she should join som
4 party and leave him behind.
d Judge Healey heard Of this arrang,
9 ment only when 1t was on the poir