And shortly after they went on their shopping expedition; and the shopping expeditions were carried on to such an extent that they spent the greater part of each of the few remaining days before Christmas in wandering around the streets together and looking into the shop windows. But the remaining days were very few and very short, Conway thought; and before they had fairly done their shopping, the time had slipped around, and Christmas had come. Conway had bought a present each for Jim and Norine, and little Clinton was happy in the abundance he had received. There had been a general interchange of gifts over the breakfast table, but Conway had not received his promised present from Norine. He had forgotten it, apparently, for she looked at him wistfully several times without discovering any traces of disappointment in his face; and after the happy morning meal was over, and they were alone, she said softly: “You have not got my present yet, Lester.” “There! I knew there was something lacking. Did you forget me?” “No,” she answered, coming closer to him and speaking softly and timidly; “I did not forget you. But, oh, Lester! are you sure that you will always value my gift?” And she looked at him with her eyes swimming in tears. “Value it?” cried Conway, puzzled at her earnestness. “I will value it dearly.” “All your life?” coming closer. “All my life.” “There it is, then,” she said, blushing and trembling. And she put her little closed fist into his hand. Conway turned the little soft hand over, and stupidly opened the little pink fingers. It was empty. He was very pale now, and trembled from eagerness. “Oh, Norine!” he cried huskily, “what am I to understand: that you will come to me now--that I need not wait?” She nodded shyly. “If you want me,” she whispered; and then she disappeared, completely swallowed up in her lover’s embrace. “Hello!” exclaimed Jim, when he burst into the room some time after, and caught them in the same position. “I say,” he went on, gazing coolly at them, “any time you get through with my sister, I would like to have a look at her myself.” “But I am not going to get through with her,” replied Conway. “We are going to be married at once. We need not wait.” “Pooh! I knew that,” answered Jim loftily. “I am glad, though, that you have got sense enough to be happy at last.” “You will not think it wrong that I did not wait--after what has happened?” asked Norine timidly, appearing for a moment after Jim had left. Conway made no answer in words, but he held her close, very close to him, and looked down into her blushing face; and I don’t suppose, really, that any words were necessary. * * * * *