Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-02

IlurStOnS. MARX 5 long Illness. the
consequent loss OF his position and bis
inability to secure work OF any sort
finally resulted in the sale of their
household effects and in giving up the
few rooms they called home.
The day before Christmas actual
want stared them in the face. Mark
had placed the trunks that contained
their few effects in storage ware
house. and now. hampered only by a
couple of travelling bags, they faced
each other In the waiting room OF the
railroad station. It was warm in
there. and they had no place to call
home. Little four-year-old Teddy sat
down on the leather suit case and
swung his fat legs with careless in
difference to the fact that his unhappy
young parents had sold his crib and
that 1t was very uncertain where he
would lay his sunny head that night
that night of all nights, when little
children hasten to bed so that they
may awake betimes to discover the
gifts Of Santa Claus.
Editha turned her pale little face to
the worn and haggard countenance Of
her husband.
MARK, what shall we do?" she Wills
pered tensely.
Marks lips frightened. I've got ex-
actly S3.45." he said grimly. "One
dollar of that I will spend on railroad
tickets to take US out of this merciless
city. The rest we will need when we
get there"
"Get where. Mark?'
IaI4 Nf.<ar~
that my Uncle Phineas lives there"
But Mark. dear! Your Uncle
Phineas treated you cruelty when you
were a boy. You said you would
never appeal to him
Dear said Mark gravely, there
are situations before which pride and
resentment melt like snow under
scorching SUM-"
Once in the train the Thurstons look
ed drearily out of the windows at the
bare brown earth overhung by lower
ing gray clouds from which the snow
was drifting in scattering fakes. 1t
was growing colder, and the passen-
gers in the coach talked about the de-
lights of a cold and snowy Christmas.
while the children Chartered about the
gus ilicN cApCNtCo AAOAAi AohSNA SAo"o
or the meeting with cousins or grand
parents. Every one was anticipating
joyous Yuletide.
.Rosedalew shouted the brakeman.
The Thurstons left the train and
wato he'd the long string OF cars as 1t
wound out of sight around a distant
bend. Then they turned their faces to
the bleak little station. the empty plat
form and the pine clad hills that sur
the little village.
THE place is not far from here" said
Mark as he picked up the bags. Can
you walk little way, Teddy, boy?"
Course l can" assured Teddy I'M
portantly as he gripped his mothers
hand.
The three stepped along the road, |
now covered with a 6lmy veil OF white.
Woods stretched on either side of
them until suddenly they came upon n
greet open space where there was set
4 long, low. old fashioned house. The
gates were closed, the wooden shut
tiers covered the windows, and an air
of desolation pervaded the place.
wait here" said Mark to his wife.
and he went through the gateway and
around the house to the back door |
After awhile he came back.
The house is empty" he said slowly. |
A card on the back door says that my |
uncle is spending the winter in the |
city with his daughter. Come, let US |
move on"
They dragged their way YEARLY |
through the snow until they came to
another house. This was a large,
square. comfortable looking habitation,
ind the red rays of the declining sun
urned the windowpanes into glowing
DANES that gave the place an air or
fictitious warmth and welcome.
What a pleasant house." said Editha
nvoluntarily.
yes" murmured Mark indifferently.
It's the old Patton place"
Editha fingered by the gate. She
glanced at the four great chimneys
nd saw that there was no smoke COM
ng from them. The shades in some or
he rooms were drawn closely. and the
lopse appeared to be unteDanted.
wait a moment. Mark she cried
and before he could question
er intention she had sped up the path
d. uiSdppeufeu diVunu the Sothc VI |
be house
Presently she appeared with rosy
heeks and shining eyes.
Come. Mark" she said. with deci-
Jon; this is where we are going TO
pend Christmas"
Mark stared. what do you meanT
= asked.
81 mean that the people have gone
way, the house is closed. and-oh.
lark. there is no place for Us to spend {
hristmas. and our baby is cold and
eeds rest. Can't you underestimate
ct us stay here over Christmas. Sure [
the people who live here cannot be ,
, stony hearted that they would deny .
3 warmth and shelter We can buy
IT own food. surely. surely Her
ice broKa suddenly. 1T