Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-12-14

HET4T mlnedly that snowfiakes
were accountable for the
blur; then. she wiped her
eyes.
ITS Merry Christmas
time" Connie said to her old yellow
cat. "Who ever heard OF Christmas
without the Merry? SO cheer up.
Frowler. and let's join in the game"
At the little "Shoppe" just around
the corner she stood longest OF all.
And all at once into Comics bright
eyes came n speculative light. The
window was full of small framed pie
lures, most Of them with the Christ
mas spirit. There were the usual
night-clad children looking up broad
chimneys. there were landscapes OF
snowy fields with distant windows
alght-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 swaylng bell In the steeple,
the queer little bridge over the deep
and beautiful stream-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 1t was there
that her own husband had asked, and
had been answered-his question. The
way that Connie had CHANGED TO visit
this beautiful country place and 10
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
wonderful roses in 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 dearl Why don't you come on
and visit me for a week or two? I'm
lonely for young sweet face"
And Connie had gone. that was all.
Half her later wafer colors had been
glorlfed memories of that delightful
visit. Now Connie had a new inspira-
tiOn. She would paint the queer little
bridge over an Icy stream. and its
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 hol-
low with lights in the windows gleam-
ing over the snow and the bell in the
tower a-Swaying for Christmas.
Oh Connie was very happy as she
hurried home TO her attic, but there,
in the temperamental way artists
have. she began to draw instead,
working in 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.
Olace and a boys stocking hanging
there. Connie never stopped until she
had completed the picture, then ran
with it breathessly to the "Shoppe''
around the corner.
"Yes, we will display It," smiling
old man agreed.
The picture sold. OF course you
were prepared for that; but the
strange part was that before 1t 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 chldishly In the
hone that her picture would not be
there when she opened them. And II
was the day but one before Christmas
that the "Shoppe" manager seeing hel
peeking about. beckoned her inside.
you have pleased one Of our bes
customers said the manager, "anf
when we mentioned your peculiar con
dtion Of sale he suggested talking tho
matter over with you that you nigh
both come 10 satisfactory bargain
Our customer thinks that you possess
wonderful artistic ability. We have
given him your address,
us he" asked Connie falteringly
"a philanthronistT
Some way she did not want her pur
chaser 10 be just philanthropist ant
spoil all future ambitious hope.
"Mr. Armstrong Is man who usual
" drives a pretty shrewd bargain,
the "Shoppe" manager said.
So. though It was early afternoon
Connie hurried home TO turn on ga
blaze and don her most presentatl
dress so that she might make favor
eble Impression as successful youn
wielder of the brush. The purchase
rIcht arrive any minute. But II wa
The next afternoon when he came an
Connie was wearing buDgalo'
apron.
The purchaser was young and tai
and good looking. and the golden en-
greeted him with a purring rub. whic
was 10 Connie q recommendation q
TO his honesty.