Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-12-27

CI'a-LOASI tries IN vain to see her, for
she refuses every one, though ca ers are
not many IN this hour of darkness, and
one day he is stunned by the tidings
that she has disappeared, and though he
PutS every force to work, his search is
useless.
Inc creditors take possession of all
that Is available, and after the usual nine
days wonder, the gap closes. the circle
MIS- and Horace Ford and his desolate
daughter are forgotten in other interests
and so year rolls around and an
other Christmas eve is here.
In shady little garnet room sits a
brown haired girl, the CLEAN from the
meagre IRE falling fitfully on the pale
face and thin hands that are pinning
folds OF paper over rich silken folds,
which reminds poor Jessie painfully Of
the days when the like were her own.
1t has been a hard year to her, but she
had managed to exc ont a sCanty liveli-
mood by working on the handsome en-
brOldery which used to form pleasant
pastme for her idle fingers, but want and
sorrow had robbed the pretty features of
their bloom, and the lovely eyes of their
brilliant light. She had learned to feel
Tor the man who so cruelty deserted her
IN her bitter need, only bitter scOrn,
while the memory of the days when
/ Hugh ChallOner was her devoted knight
are often with her, and tonight as she
! prepares to return her finished work, her
mind flies back to a scene Of a year ago,
and blue eys seem again tOlOOk reprOach
i into brown ones as she recalls their
owner.
! "He could not have cared so very
much after all, or he would have searched
/ for me-" she muses., making her way care
| fully over the CLASSY pavents and SILVER
/ ing as the wind cuts around the corner.
/ 1t is later than she is often out, but her
| eyes were dim to-day with unshed tears,
and darkness had fallen ere the last
/ thread was fastened, so she haStens on
rapidly through the streets thrOnged
with merry, happy faces, her heart grow
/ ing sadder at the sight of the Christmas
/ 10y in which she had no share.
/ She reaches her destination, delivers
the parcel and waits for the sum which
is her due, but the servant returns with
the message that Miss Stacy is engaged
and she must call again.
Indeed 1 cannot wait" says Jessie's
trembling tones; 81. need the money to-
night" but the man only answers that
his mistress is dressing for the opera
and cannot be disturbed, so he steps in
side the warmly lighted hall, leaving hel
on the marble pOrticO alone.
She turns to 60, but the thought Of q
cold, hrelesS room and an empty cup.
board causes her to pause, with the re-
solve to see Miss Stacy for hersef if pos
tsible; perhaps if she can. speak to her in
person and explain her necessity, she
may be paid, 80 she begins to walk
/ slowly back and forth in front of the
handsome residence, where a carriage Is
already drawn near the curb. She has
need Of patience, for it is nearly an hOul
before the door is Enclosed, and the
young heiress. with q gentleman in at
tendance, comes out, chatting merrily
and Jessies's courage almost fails her, but
nerving herself, she takes a step forward
saying beseechinglY:
'Miss Stacy, will you please"
"What does this meant" interrupts the
lady, haughtily. Glow dare you accost
me in this manner"
'But If you will only pay me for my
work" she pleads, 81 need"
"BegOnew exclaimed the heiress i'm
periOusly. ''I will settle your bill next
week and dismiss you from my service.
The imperlnenCe of such people Is too
annoying" turning to her companion
who has stood spell-bound during the
short cOllOquy, his blue eyes fixed on the
pale but unmistakeable Ineaments OF
the sewing girl, and now catching her
hand, his tones ringing clear and true:
Jessie, my dear little Jessie, have I
found you at last?' While the girl who
has not before noticed him, utteTs a low
exclamation of surprise, and Miss Stacy
stands in angry amaZement.
Pardon me, !" he says to her courteous
ly, "but L have found an old friend for
whom have long been searching"
in that case, Mr.. ChallOner, I will re-
lease you from your engagement, as my
friends move in different circles" and
with a stately inclination she turns to
ward the house.
"One moment" he whispers, GAS
you please, Miss Stacy" aloud, handing
her back within the hall, and the next
minute he has put Jessie into the luxui-
GUS carriage and taken his place beside
| her, while he tells her of his grief at her
loss and his JOY ATTENDING her once more
He takes her home to the shabby gar
ret, but not before she has ACKNOWLEDGED
who owns her heart, and after a lutte
the two 90 out into the streets again, re
! turning well laden with Christmas cheer;
so the morrow daWns with brightness
/ for J Jessie Ford, and in the future years
when she is Hugh Challoner's wife, she
recalls these two Christmas ewes as the
saddest and gladdest of her life.
The AstOrs and Vanderbilt
/ New York Letter in Troy Times.
The rivalry between the AstOrs and