Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

He had been much disappointed at
his wife's course. He had waited for
her to take what he considered proper
action in the matter, and when he
found that she would not he had tax
en- action himself. He had forbidden
her to so to see her family.
When John Underwood came to this
feature of his peditations he WINGED
Had he not demanded that which was
not natural? Suppose his Lucy should
grow up and marry q man who forbade
her TO visit Johnny and Willie and the
baby. What would he think of that
man?
The thought turned the current of
his meditations into another channel.
After all, had he right to forbid his
wife to visit her relatives? Perhaps.
since they were obnoxious to him, he
had a right to forbid them his house.
but it was another thing to forbid her
to visit them. This doubt rs to the nat
uralness, the wisdom. of his course
caused a pang. So long as he had felt
that he was right he could endure the
consequences of his act. But this pic
ture of his injustice that thrust itself
In upon him was a grip fastened upon
| his heart. And the more he thought
about it the tighter the grip.
An impulse came to him to go home,
confess his error, and he. his wife and
his children could enjoy their Christ
| mas as before the separation. He was
turning to take up his hat and coat and
| carry out this purpose when he stop
| ped short. What would be the use?
| The wrangle would go on as before.
Never mind that. He had taken posi-
ton which was wrong, and he could
not rest until he had repudiated It
| Yes; he would go up and propose
compromise-that his wife might visit
her family whenever she chose. but
that they should remain away from his
house.
The distance to his house was sew
eral miles. He had made half of it
when through the still falling flakes
he saw a woman's figure coming to-
ward him. When she came closer he
saw that she was his wife.
Where are you going?" he asked.
ITO see you. l have a compromise
to propose, in order that you. | and
the children may enjoy this blessed
Christmas"
"And l was going to you for tho
same purpose"
what have you to propose?"
81 was wrong to forbid you to visit
your relatives. You may go whenever
you like"
mo; it would be wrong to go where
you cannot go. will not go to see
them unless they need me-"
do as you please about that. I am
ready to go home with YOU
They turned and walked homeward.
John Under wood noticed that his wife's
cloak was thin. She was shivering.
Taking off his overcoat. he put II about
her. This necessitated his inclosing her
in his arms. She looked up in his face
with an expression he had not seen
there in a long while. He kissed her.
When they reached their home they
saw Mrs. Underwoods father coming
out of the gate. He seemed much sur
prised to see husband and wife to.
gether.
How is this?" he asked.
81 was wrong" said John Underwood,
Ito forbid Ellen to visit her own flesh
and blood"
. "And l was wrong" said the wife.
"to go where John cannot GO"
/ I'VE are all wrong" said the third
person in the group. I'VE are about to
. celebrate the birth of our Lord in a
state of disObedience to his commands.
| He has told us. First be reconciled to
! | In, III
l the altar / came to invite you, my
? daughter, and through you your hus-
4 band to eat your Christmas dinner
r with us this year. and l have the prom
: ise of each member of my family that
you shall both be made welcome"
e John Underwood entered his home
3 with not only a temporary but per.
t manent load lifted from his shoulders
e He took each Of his children in his
i arms in turn, and there was not one OF
them, except the baby, but chung to
n him, refusing to be parted.
i It was late that night when Mrs. Un.
S derwood telephoned to her parents that
I their invitation was accepted.
e When the chimes on Christmas morn
ing called the wOrshipers together John
r and Mrs. Underwood were watching
r their children greedily dive down into
J. their stockings, throwing aside each ar
e ticle taken out in their eagerness to ex
plCre what remained. During the fore
4 noon it seemed to all Of them that the
/. dove of the Holy Spirit had descended
: upon the household and brought with II
a blessed peace
When John Underwood and his fam
L lily reached the house where he had
& been invited to dinner he received d
8 gift from each member Of the family
:. and had the satisfaction OF seeing OF
t his wifes plate at the dinner table q
S check for her marriage portion that ha6
l. been withheld at the time of her mar
8 riage And so 1t was that these three
S different parties we're turned from wal
e TO peace by the influence of the Christ
0 Child who was born on Christmas
l morning.