The Washington times., 1937-10-08

In spite of the modern name
of jackson Square, it is still an
odd, prim, old-fashioned place
with its wrought iron fences
shining white shell walks and
lush, semitropical verdure. I had
dropped down to rest for awhile,
after wandering that morning
through the streets of the quaint
old creole quarter.
A small, elderly gentleman, for
eign in appearance and dapper
with the elegance Of a bygone
day, occupied the other end Of
my bench. He replied to my
friendly remarks with kind and
courteous interest.
eyes, Madame, New Orleans is
a fine city, good city to live
in and the climate, ah-well, some
of our Northern friends hold it a
little too warm, just sometimes,
YOU know; but 1.-The weather is
always just right for me. I'm
very fond of sitting here in the
sun. 1t makes one feel young
again.
do I live here? Yes, Madame,
very near, in that tall house down
ESplanade. OF course, I've been
away from New Orleans, but when
I grew older, I was never satisfied
until I could come back.
"You see I was born in the
'Vieux Care Madame, and no
matter how far we wander, it al
ways calls us home when the age
for death approaches near.
LOVE STORY
II will recount to you the story
OF a perfect love and you, being
a woman, Madame, may appre-
ciate.
Madame Celeste inhabited the
second story of the large, old
house that anyone may see. still
standing on the corner Of the
Rue Royale.
ut was a very good house in
its way, with a gallery running
around three sides, and Madame
felt blessed above her neighbors.
ION fine evenings land nearly
every evening is fine in New Or
leans), the good woman loved to
sit on the front gallery and peer
at the passersby over the low
white railing; then, too, she could
greet her friends and exchange
the gossip of the day with them,
as they sat on their own galleries.
"Her daughter, 'Toniette, al
ways sat with Madame Celeste,
one small hand supporting her
beautiful head as she leaned on
the baluster, her chin slightly
raised and a look Of delight and
expectation on her face.
This was the pleasantest time
Of the day to her. She might be
with her mother and listen to the
chatter Of the neighbors around
her.
Sometimes she grew so amused
she almost fancied she could see
them, for 'Toniette was blind. She
was blind, but very beautiful.
Madame, I who have seen her
then, say it.
Her face was the tint Of old
ivory and her features so deli
cateIy and gently shaped as a
fine cameo. 'Toniette had been
blind from birth.
SKILLED WORKER
"Her mother did fine lace.mend-
ing and needlework and many
other small services for the rich
people, away uptown She lived
only for "Toniette and no work
was too tedious to supply her
child with more comforts, even
luxuries.
'Toniette never lacked for any
thing. She had been well educated
by the good sisters of the Ursu-
lines in spite Of her blindness.
"She had a tall harp on which
she played and sang little songs in
a sweet, low voice. She was al
ways happy, and the last year a
greater happiness had come into
her life.
TT was Sunday evening and at
this hour she was always listening
for a certain steady step in the
street. At last she heard it COM
ing.
1.-THE mother had already de-
scended to the street door to re-
ceive the visitor. Madame's
step sounded on the stairs, fol-
lowed by the heavier one.
'The mother took her accus-
toned place in the front room be-
hind the lace Of the window cur
tain, with her prayer book and
rosary, and Duvalle came out on
the gallery.
"He laid a bouquet of fragrant
roses in Toniette's hands and
took the low chair at her side.
His coming seemed to awaken
the girl. They chatted in happy
little whispers while Madame
dozed, and once when they heard
her beads fall to the floor, he
caressed her hand for a moment.
"Duvalle was 'Toniette's &C
copied sutton. He was the green
grocer on the next corner and had
quite neat little property and
good business.
"He had watched 'Toniette grow
ing up all these last years as she
came into the shop with Madame,
the mother, and his love had in
creased with the time,