The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-18

good to mel shall never forget how good.
lll-pH try to do as you say!'
His lips touched her forehead and she
scarcely shrank away, for she felt Il was
the last Kiss she would ever receive from
mans lips. For moment he hesitated,
making last appeal, but finding IL was
hopeless, he wrung her hand with a wild
sob, and passed out into the night.
A few hours later. when the dim light
of Christmas morning crept into the room,
Esther Birchington was seated, with her
hands folded on her knees, looking at
vacancy with red aching eyes. The storm
of grief had come and gone. the sobs and
means. which had troubled the long night
after Beliairs' departure had ceased at
last She felt like an old woman, friend
less and feeble. 1t was over-her dream
of love-her foolish simple dream. Thence
forth she was alone In all the world.
III.-THE SECOND CHRISTMAS EVE.
So 1t came to pass after ALL that the
popular anticipation was fulfilled and that
Miss Birchington did not marry. Be.airs
disappeared from the scene, and although
there were many versions of the reason
why the marriage was broken off the real
truth was known to only one pers0n-CSrov-
er, the solicitor, who was man enough to
hold his tongue. Esther remained at the
y
further talk of selling the business.
Fifteen years passed away and "Birch-
lngtons Library was still in the same
pace, with the same toys and fancy goods
IN the window, and the same pale gentle
face behind the counter. In those fifteen
years however great changes had taken
place, and round the corner, In the main
street there was q splendid new estab-
lishment on the modern scale, where all
the new books To ho hon
count prices, and where the newest works
IN notion and bellies lettres were supplied
by the arrangement with Nudes The
tde OF fortune had turned thitherward
and the old-fashioned shop was forgaken.
AS the years went on, "Birchington" was
almost utterly forgotten
FOR Esther, instead Of moving with the
times, mad stood still, with little or no
heart to improve the occasion. The old
busy spirit had altogether gone out Of
her, and she had changed into weary
looking woman, with threads of grew in
her hair and few notes of 10y I'm her gen
ue voice. she was still comparati lively
young, but she felt quite old and weary.
Times had been so bad that for several
years she had been losing money ana
had drawn on, and almost exhausted. her
niue surplus store. SO the business was
again for sale, though It seemed very
doubtful If any one would care to ventura
on inc purchase. In any case, Il was clear
that II could not be continued at so great
a loss, ana sale or no sale, Esther knew
that she must look out for other means
OF living and another home.
Christmas Eve again. and sea sona bIe
weather, with storms of snow and sleet
I'he sea was roaring, for the wind was
southwest The usual old sea captains ana
retired mariners were struggling against
the WIND on the shore, and the streets were
full OF folk coming and going. There
were few people this time ar sRtrcbins,-
TONS but at the great Emporium roupd
the corner there was blaze Of light ana
wondering crowd. Early In the evening
tsther Closed the shop, and sat alone IN
the parior, looking sadly at the fire.
IN little time she knew she must leave
the Ola pace and she was sorry for it
had been her home so long As her
tnoushts went back TO the past she took
OF her spectacles, which were dim with
the moisture from her eyes. Tben u,ht,l
the WIND shook the house. she went 10 tbe
bureau and took out old daguereotvne-
the faded picture Of smiling and hand
some man, with mustache and curline,
hair. ms
Her tears fell upon It. She looked at ~
long and thoughtfulIy, and then, RAISING
II TO her lips, kissed Il tenderlv
How happy he made me before. before ;,
There was knock al the side door a
quick eager knock. She started. placed
down the picture, and listened. The knocir
was repeated
Some one is there" she thought. 'sWho
can II be at this hour?"
She walked TO the door
who Is there?" she asked
No voice answered her. but the knock
was given again. She opened the door
and looked out into the night. A man
stood IN the shadow looking at her.
Miss Brchington2" said a deep volc,
and al the same moment the figure qtep-
ped into the door way. Grown more ana
more short-sighted Of late. Eeiher Qazad
at the stranger through her spectacles.
"Can ] speak to you" he said. ION
business
Before she knew he had passed into The
parior and stood gazing down al her--a
tall, powerful man With mousiachc and