Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-02
The Daily Story
THE CHRISTMAS HousE-BY cLARIssA MAoKIE
Copyrighted- 1919 Associated Literary Bureau -

| you many of them" returned the man
| eagerly. But can't 1 make you a fire
or something?"
Nothing at all, my man. / shall go
/ directly to bed, and wakeman will be
here at o 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 a moment he closed his eyes and
| permitted wave after wave of tender
memories TO sweep over his soul. leav-
ing sickening pain in their wake. Time
had been when he had had wife and
children. when Christmas had been the
most joyful anniversary of the entire
| year. Now riches We're his in abun-
dance, but wife and children had been
swept away. He was quite alone in
the world. He had given lavishly to
charity this Yuletide. and now he had
crept back to this house of his to spend
solitary Christmas with the memo
ries of his beloved.
A deep sigh escaped him. and he
turned to so upstairs when his eyes
glanced down the length of the dark
hall and rested on a bar OF yellow light
that shone under the dining room door
"Intruders," he muttered grimly, and,
gripping his cane more firmly. he turn
ed into the darkened drawing room
ana 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
before the wide crack between the
sliding doors and looking in on a
strange scene.
1t was singular scene because f.
was so unexpected in this house that
had been given over to ghostly memo
ries.
A 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 unobtru-
sively in a corner. From the mantel-
piece there hung a child'S little white
stocking. Before the fire was a small
table, and sitting there. partaking OF
plain bread and milk, were three peo-
plea haggard young man, who looked
rs though he needed juicy beefstealk
to strengthen his gaunt frame; a pref
ty, careworn little woman almost a girl
in years, and beautiful four-year-old
boy with fluff of yellow hair like that
OF his own little lad of long ago.
What were these people doing here
here. where he had expected only
gloom and cheerlessness? Here there
were light and warmth, and the spirit
of Christmas pervaded the little group.
,aI,
were attempting. in n feeble way, to
celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.
Brainard stood there a long time. At
last he rolled the door aside and en-
tered the dining room.
At once the intruders were hushed
into fear stricken silence.
II 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 it was all her
plan. Teddy Thurston smiled upon the
strange gentleman and slipped a club
by hand into Brainard's.
Brainard held it tightly, and it's
warmth seemed TO penetrate his very
being. A melting tenderness possessed
him. Out of a bleak world God had
sent him these people who needed him,
needed what he could give to them.
what would save them-a father,
mother and little child. He bowed
his head moment, and his lips moved.
His hand went out to Mark Thurston.
81 am glad you came" he said
~ expected to spend lonely
Grfc hau ha
for me- But 1t will never do to have
lean Christmas. we who have just
found each other. / will 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 g9yly as he
tossed Teddy into the air.
The astonished Roberts brought the
,ar around, and Mr.. Brainard and his
guests entered and were
vhirled away to the little village.
where they spent two happy hours.
Long after midnight Editha Thurston
md her husband helped Mr.. Brainard
iii Teddy's diminutive stockings and
rim tiny tree for the little boy sleep
ng upstairs in a big. warm bed.
II was Il beautiful Christmas for ev-
.rybody. Mr. Brainard declared that
he day had brought him something to
i've for: Editha cried over the soft
warm furs Mr.. Brainard had hurriedly
hosen from the village store: Mark re-
diced in a fur lined Overcoat as well
IS the promise Of position as resident
ecretary with Paul Brainard. and lit
lie Teddy declared that their kind host
And ever after that all of them called
he place the christmas House" BE
ausc" said Mr. Brainard reverently.
1t brought peace and joy and good will
0 all of us-'