1898.]
Christmas day had come around at last.
Stoger had had a revelation. He had not been inside a toy
shop for years and hadn't the slightest idea of the glories which
the holidays cause them to assume. But he had been moved
with a very worthy desire—that of buying a whole toy shop—
and was just returning to the house with all that he could possi
bly carry. As he passed the office he glanced towards the win
dow. There, each one trying to get the best view of Stoger, were
all his employes, from the oldest clerk down to the .messenger
boy.
Somewhat frightened they withdrew on being 'discovered, but
the expected storm did not break; for when Stoger entered he
shouted " Merry Christmas " in the heartiest manner,
" Wouldn't it be better to take a holiday than to stand at the
window and catch cold ?"
No one loitered in following this pleasant suggestion, but as
they reached the hall they stopped long enough to examine the
small roll of money which Stoger had given to each as he wished
them a pleasant holiday.
With mutual good wishes they separated, thinking to them
selves that the old fellow "isn't so bad after all."
Otto was the last to leave, and as he passed Stoger motioned to
him. What passed between them must have been something
quite unusual, as Otto blushed and his eye brightened. He stam
mered a few words and sought to grasp Stoger's hands, who
without further ado pushed him out of the office.
" Where are you going now ?" he called, as he saw that the
young fellow was about to leave the hall. "That isn't the way to
Miss Rosa. It's a shame that one must suggest the matter to you!"
—Evening was beginning to fall and in the widow's room
the dusk was deepening. On a couch before the fire, which shed
a pleasant glow over all, lay the young woman. She was listening
to Stoger and her pale cheeks suffused with color as he spoke:
" You dare not say me nay," he commanded.
She wanted to interrupt him but he would not.
" You cannot know how I hunger for sympathetic associations.
My life was, dry and bitter, but the laughter of your children has
brightened all. I thought to have done with the world, but now I
long for it and again wish to participate in its joys and its sorrows.
atrisimastiae