Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1920-12-17


and going in her withered cheeks.
about the lovers. For it was there
that her own husband had asked, and
had been ansWefed-his question. The
way that Connie had CHANGED to visit
this beautiful country place and to
meet there the dear old lady was qnite
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 stonped to admire the
wonderful roses IL the old lady's gar
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 week or two? I'm
lonely for young sweet face"
And Connie had gone, that was 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 it's
seats should be covered with snow.
She could fancy just how the trees
would look waving naked Branches.
And she'd paint the church in the hc'-
low with lights, in the windows gleam-
ing over the snow and the bell in the
tower a-swaying fer Christmas.
Oh, Connie was very happy as she
hurried home to her attic, but there,
In the temperamentaf way artists
have, she began to- draw instead,
working in a fever Of enthusiasm
the sitting room of the old house
where she had been guest, with
Martha Snow herself seated in the
freight, just half Of her peaceful pro-
file showing beneath it's halo Of white
hair.
There was holly above the old fire.
place and a boys stocking hanging
there. Connie never stopped until she
had completed the picture, then ran
with It breathlessly to the ~Shoppe"
around the corner.
"Yes, we will display it," 4 smiling
old man agreed.
The picture sold. OF course you
were prepared for that. but the
strange part was that before it was
sold Connie had added her other views
to the "Shoppe" window, and her dis
eernfng 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 childfshly in the
hope that her picture woufd not be
there when she opened them. And it
was the day but one before Christmas
that the "Shoppe" manager seeing her
peekfng about, beckoned her inside.
'You have pleased one Of our best
customers" said the manager. "and
when we mentioned your peculiar con-
dition of sale he suggested talking the
matter over with you that you might
both come to satisfactory bargain.
Our customer thinks that you possess
wonderful artistic ability. We have
given him your address,"
'*Is he" asked Connie falteringly,
"a philanthropist?"
Some way she did not want her pur-
chaser to be just phifanthropist and
spoil all future ambitious hope.
mr.. Armstrong is a man who usual
~ drives a pretty shrewd bargain, "
the "Shoppe" manager said.
So, though It was early afternoon.
Connie hurried home to turn on a gas
blaze and don her most presentable
dress so that she might make favor
able impression as successful young
wielder of the brush. The purchaser
might arrive any minute. But it was
the next afternoon when he came and
Connie was wearing bungalow
apron.
|; The purchaser was young and tall
and good looking, and the golden cat
greeted him with a purring rub. which
was to Connie a recommendation as
to his honesty.
Mr.. Hubert Armstrong came direct
~ to business.
"Your sketches have for me I
double interest, Miss Carroll" he said
"You have drawn remarkably som.
Of the >happie8t scenes Of my boyhood
Scenes which I am ashamed to say
had half forgotten. & The world o.
business abeorbssmuch 81 human kind
ness am, afraid and sometimes ,
struggle for success causes ID to ;leav>
mueh that . tender behind. I IN
szabefnl %, - f svaksnine II III
ut tendls1es6 1tAia I hid ltno1
,beila Il, .ss ..=.. Il. e... { ri.
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