Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-19

gether to MILFORD, and had confessed 10
him the whole rosy and romantic little
story. 1t appeared to do the invalid
good, at least for time. He kissed Clara
and warmly pressed his friends hand
| But Ernest had a confidence to make
him later, and ne made 1t an evening or
two afterward, which CHANGED to be
| Christmas eve.
1t was a very bleak Christmas out of
doors. WIlfOrd's chamber was cheerful
with glowing coal fire in the blush
wlntry twilight. He had been very weak
all that day. his father had visited the
apartment many times, and had tried TO
conceal the anxiety that gnawed bis
! dreary, sombre mind. Ernest had
! SPOKEN lew fond words with Clara De-
low stairs; then he had gone up to Will
! ford, and had met Nesbitt, who retired
/ soon after his entrance into the sick
room, with something which resem bled
courtesy, If it were only respondent I'M
| concern.
"rhis is Christmas eve, old fellow,
lsn'tItW said MILFORD, giving Ernest his
hand.
He looked very white and exhausted,
but perfectly peaceful. as he lay half
| propped up by pillows on the bed.
Ppm very glad YOU came, somehow
wanted you to come tonight. But you
look rather grim. What has hap
pened? You haven't been worrying about
me, hope"
Ernest, while his candid blue eyes
! sparkled denial under the fair, frank brow
and the short fleece of chestnut curls that
made his face so handsome. He meant
the words, literally; he had no idea of any
real danger for his friend; ne mad seen him
recover from former attacks, more or less
serious, so often. You'll pull through
all right. 1t wasn't that-nO. not at all.
But Uncle Abner has started that Oswego
question again. You know how ne has
| repeatedly limited that he wanted me to
go out there ana live as a sort of real es.
tate superintendent over tne biz tracts OF
land he has bought in that region"
~ es; and he now wants you positively
to gO?"
80 start in week!' faltered Ernest,
with his deep voice almost breaking.
think of itp
The two friends "thought of it," to-
gether, and In little while their talk
changed, after MILFORD mad advanced the
consOllng proposition that perhaps Err
nests uncle would mercifuiy alter his
mind when the hour of exile positively
arrived. 1t was MILFORD who first began
TO speak on another subject, though he
led up to 1t through the medium of what
they had just been discussing.
~ should hate to have you away, Ern-
est" he said, "if l were-well, if l were
TO grow Worse-much worse"
''Pshaw ~ laughed his friend. you'll
not grow worse. You'll mend soon"
81 may" said MILFORD, slowly. But il
don't, Ernest, if IL should never get
better-iI l should Just sink and sink till
1t was all over with me, ] should like to
keep that promIse-prOVided | could. You
remember our old promise, made together
in our Sophomore year"
There was a silence. The twilight was
deepening every minute now, and the
| lurId red of the coal fire was blightening
But it seemed to Ernest Nanderveer as il
the room grew abruptly very much darker
| while he murmured:
You mean, Willy, about-coming
back"
Yes, that's it. | knew you would re
member. We made such solemn prom
ise in the old days, and we talked OF il
atterward so often. Whoever of us died
first was to try all ne could to come bach
and give the other at least a sign Iha
he still llyeI in some different spiritua
state"
Ernest, as he sat by the bedside in the
dying dusk, had dropped his head.
Yes" he anewered, Il remember il al
very well-OT course, do"
MILFORD stretched forth his hot, frai
hand, and sought that of his TREND.
Ernest" ne presently said, in loiter-
ing, ueliDeratiVe way, lets make the
time CHRISTMAS eve. I've taucv tina
has o0d!y taken hold OF me. Pve beer
luinhlnS ABOUT the matter while I'VE lain
mere Let's put IL TINS way: W hoover oi
us die hrst, his spirit VIII choose a future
! Christmas eve 10 Return"
lie paused moment, and then laughed
very so'Iiy'
Il somehow think 1t makes the whole
queer compact, more-more picturesque.
as you might say, a d less-less uncanny
But may be wrong. what DO you thlnk
OLD ieIlowY'
II haven't the least objection, deal
! boy y exclaimed Ernest, struggling witt
al unpleasant sensation OF depression
and vague dread. but | hope you
haFen't let any foolish, gloomy Thoughts
about yourself bother y GU. Recoiect no"
oilen you've rallied splendIdly after pull
backs ike tOeSe. I'm sure you're going tt
be better after thls one than you ever were
IN Your whole lie!'
But Ernests norld encouragement
proved sadly false prophecy. On TIT
very next day Wlllord drew most alarm
InglY worse, and still lew hours after
warh ne had sunk into an unconscious
ness from wDlcn lie never recovered. On
the night OF That next day he died mos
peace ably.
The shock and grief of his friends dealt
was for Ernest v anderVeer but too sOOI