Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-12-03

Come, he said sharply IL ~ an
opportunity we must not miss"
The desolate little family went up
the path and around to door set In
the high basement
All around the house the snow Tell
softly Ike a friendly covering to hide
their telltale footprints.
Four hours later motorcar glided
noiseiessly up to the gate OF the man
sion. and a tall man ailghted and
spoke TO the chauffeur.
THAT viii do. Roberts. l shah not
need your assistance tonight. | viii
telephone You in the morning II Il re-
quire your services. A merry Christ
mas to you
Thank you. Mr.. Brainard. I wish
you many of them" returned the man
eagerly. But can't 1 make you a Gre
or somethingr'
Nothing at all, my man. shall SO
directly TO bed, and wakcman will be
here at o'clock" He pressed large
gold piece into the gloved hand Of the
chauffeur. and. avoiding the mans
grateful acknowledgment, Mr.. Brain
ard went up the front steps and quiet
ly let himself into the dark hall
For moment he closed his eyes and
permitted wave after wave OF tender
memories to sweep over his soul leav-
ing siekening pain In their wake. Time
had been when he had had wife and
.,.Y...x Iskssrs,x,.,. sxoJ tsnn,. 49,.
most joyful anniversary Of the entire
year. Now riches were his In abuu.
dance. but wife and children had been
swept away. He was quite alone In
the world. He had given lavishly 10
charity this Ynletide. and now he bad
crcpt back to this house Of his 10 spend
solitary Christmas with the memo
ries OF his beloved,
A deep sigh escaped him. and he
turned to go upstairs when hts eyes
glanced down the length of the dark
hall and rested on bar OF yellow light
that shone under the dining room door.
"lntruders," he inuttered grimly, and.
gripping his cane more firmly. be turn
ed into the darkened driving room
and approached the lighted room by
another way.
From the back drawing room double
doors led into the dining room, and
presently Paul Brainard was standing
i before the wide crack between the
sliding doors and looking in on
strange scene.
II was singular scene because 1,
was SO unexpected in this house that
had been given over 10 ghoStiy memo
ries.
\ fire burned In the wide CRATE. and
the glowing coal threw a ruddy glow
over the room that WAS lighted by one
small Kitchen lamp placed nnobtrp.
sively in corner. From the mantei.
piese there hung a child's little white
stocking Before the fire was n small
table, and sitting there. partaking OF
plGIn bread and milk. were three peo-
/ plea haggard young man. who looked
as though be needed "A juicy bcefsteak
/ to strengthen his gannt frame. pref.
~, careworn little woman almost girl
J in years. and beautiful four-year-oId
boy with fun Of yellow hair like that
of his own little tad OF long ago
! What were these people doing here
/ here. where he had expected only
/ gloom and eheerlessnessf Here there
/ were light aud warmth, and the spirit
I or Christmas pervaded the little group.
{ II locked very much as though they
/ were attempting. I'm a feeble way. to
/ celebrate the birth Of the Christ Child.
/ Brainard stood there long tune At
last he rolled the door aside and en-
| tered the dining room.
I Al once the intruders were hushed
into fear stricken silence.
I Il did not expect guests" said Brain,
ard with grave courtesy.
( Mark Thurston arose and broke into
hurried explanations. He took all the
/ blame upon his shoulders. although
| Editha explained that ii was all her
! plan. Teddy Thurston smiled upon the
Z strange gentleman and slipped chub-
| by hand into Brainard's.
| Brainard held fl tightly. aud its
warmth seemed to penetrate his very
being A melting tenderness possessed
AAASt~ DSA Va "A R4tAA WIN NNA Ittl
sent him these people who needed him.
| needed what he could give to them.
what would save them-a father. a
| mother and a little child, He bowed
his head a moment. and bis lips moved.
( His hand went out 30 Mark Thurston
Il am glad you came" he said
warmly. 81 expected to spend lonely
| Christmas. You have saved the day
for me. But IT VIII never do 10 have
| lean Christmas. we who have Just
found each other. viii telephone for
the motorcar, and perhaps you will all
come with me to the village and do
some Christmas marketing and shop
| ping" He spoke almost gayly as he
tossed Teddy into the air.
| The astonished Roberts brought the
| car around. and Mr.. Brainard and his