Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-01-23

tue surety o. lh lhmAt IL mEedbeueu.
"Cone," he said sharply; 1T Is an
opportunity we must not miss"
The desolate little family went up
the path and around to a door set in
the high basement
All around the house the snow fell
softly like a friendly covering to hide
their telltale footprints.
Four hours later a motorcar glided
noiselessly up to the gate OF the man.
sion, and a tall man alighted and
spoke to the chauffeur.
THAT will do, Roberts. shall not
need your assistance tonight. | will
telephone you in the morning If / re.
quire your services. A merry Christ.
mas to you"
THANK you, Mr.. Brninard. I wish
you many OF Them" returned the man
eagerly. But can't l make you a FIRE
or something's"
Nothing at all, my man. j shall go
directly to bed, and Wakeman will be
here at 0 O'clock" He pressed a large
gold piece into the gioved 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 were 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
a solitary Christmas with the memo
Ees of his beloved.
A deep sigh escaped him, and he
turned to go 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 ane more firmly, he turn
ed into the darkened drawing 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
before the wide crack between the
sliding doors and looking in on a
strange scene.
It was a singular scene because II
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 rudy glow
over the room that was lighted by one
small kitchen lamp placed unobtru-
sively in a From the mantei-
piece there hung a child's little white
stocking Before the fire was a small
table, and sitting there, partaking Of
plain bread md milk. were three peo-
plea haggard young man, who looked
Is though he needed a juicy beefsteak
to strengthen his gaunt frame; a pref
ty, carewOrn little woman almost a girl
in years, and a beautiful f~our-year-Old
boy with a dun OF yellow hair like that
VI VAS AANAG iahO - AOnb ubOs
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.
1t looked very much as though they
were attempting, in a 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 1t was all her
plan. Teddy Thurston smiled upon the
strange gentleman and slipped a club
by hand into Brainard's.
Brainard held 1t tightly. and its
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. a
mother and a little child He bowed
his head a moment, and bis lips moved.
His hand went out to Mark ThurstOn.
." am glad you came" he said
warmly. II expected to spend a lonely
Christmas. You have saved the day
for me, But It will never do to have a
lean Christmas, we who have just
found each other. l will telephone for
the motorcar, and perhaps you will all
come with me 10 the village and do
some Christmas marketing and shop
ping" He spoke almost gayly MS he
tossed Teddy into the air.
The astonished Roberts brought the
car around. and Mr.. Brainnrd and his
unexpected guests entered and were
whirled away to the little vilinge.
where they spent two happy hOnrs.
VnuS aFka- .nEduF1hk ndgkh. Thvree,n