The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-12-16


gift eNchangerS being merely ere
ceiverT 1t couldn't he done: Connie
planned to stay at home i'm the shade
of the red-draped lamp and celebrate
with the golden cat. She actually
hummed n song as she pushed her
way through the crowd of bundle car
riers and no ones eyes Shone brighter
than Comics at the window sights
spread out before them.
At the little "ShOppe" just around
the corner she stood longest of all.
And all at once into Comics bright
eyes came a speculative light. The
window was full of small framed pie
lures, most of them with tie Christ
mas spirit. TheSe were the usual
night-clad children looking up broad
chimneys. there were landscapes of
snowy fiekls with distant windows
alight-Connie studied them all: she
was seeing in vision the winding hill
road of the place where she had spent
her last summer vacation the church
with its swaying bell In the stpeple.
the queer little bridge over the deep
and beautiful strcam-a bridge with
seats along its sides where countless
lovers had sat and cOurted. The old
lady who had been Comics volunteer
hostess told her. with the pink coming
and going In her withered cheeks.
about the lovers. For il was there
that her own husband had asked, and
had been answered-his question. The
way that Connie had CHANGED 10 visit
this beautiful country place and to
meet there the dear old lady was quite
remarkable chance too. She had
started out on the trolley car for one
restful day In the country and had
chosen this station at random. And
when she had stopped TO admire the
demand they had spent some agree
able time together-thc old lady, Mrs.
Martha Snow by name. had said:
my dear! Why don't you come on
and visit me for a week OF two? I'm
lonely for young sweet face"
And Connie had gone. that WIS ALL
Half her later water colors had been
glOrifed memories Of that delightful
visit. Now Connie had new inspira-
ton She would paint the queer little
bridge over an icy stream. and its
seats should he covered with snow.
She could fancy just how the trees
4 hroyohns,
And she'd paint the church In the hol
low with lights in the windows CLEAN
ing over the snow and the hell in the
tower a-swaying for Christmas.
oh. Connie was very happy as she
hurried home to her attic hut there.
IN the temperamental way artists
have. she began to draw instead,
working in fever of enthusiasm
tho sitting room Of the old house
where she had been n guest. with
Martha Snow herself seated in the
freight. just half of her peaceful pro-
file showing beneath its halo Of white
hair.
There was holly above the old fire.
place and boys stocking hanging
there. Connie never stopped until she
had completed the picture. then ran
with II breathlessly to the "ShOppe"
around the corner.
Yves, we will display It," smiling
old man agreed.
The picture sold. OF course you
were prepared for that; hut the
strange part was that before il was
sold Connie had added her other views
TO the "Shoppe" window. and her dis
corning purchaser had bought them
every one. While the other Christ
mas studies pleased him not at all;
Connie could not count the number of
times that she passed that window.
first closing her eyes childiShly In the
hope that her picture would not re
there when she opened them. And II
was the day hut one before Christmas
that the "Shoppe" manager seeing her
peeking about. beckoned her inside.
"You have pleased one of our best
customers" said the manager. land
when we mentioned your peculiar con-
d,tion of sale he suggested talking the
matter over with YOU that you might
both come to a satisfactory bargain.
Our customer thinks that you possess
wonderful artistic ability. We have
given him your address"
as he" asked Connie falterfngly,
III philanthropistT
Some way she did not want her pur-
chaser to he just philanthropist and
spoil Ill future ambitious hope.
mfr. Armstrong is man who usual
" drives a pretty shrewd bargain"
the "Shoppe" manager said.