The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-12-19
THE STAR
BY JEAN DOUGLAS.

H N% gray blanket.
The spirit Of
| Yuletide filled the air. and since you
could not help breathing it, the Joyous
song of Peace and goodwill flooded
the inner being as well.
In the dormer window of an attic
chamber overlooking the city stood a
little child. She was thin and pale,
but even these ravagers of beauty
could not rob her features of their
| loneliness. Great blue eyes and gold
en- curls enhanced the fairy-like deli
cacy of her face, and though ill clad
she possessed the bearing of prin-
cess. Now and again she left her
post at the window and, opening the
door, listened as If expecting to hear
| familiar footsteps ascending the
| stairs
When it was almost dark and lights
| began to appear here and there over
the housetops. like will-o-the-wisps in
a marshy bog, she drew a chair be-
meath the hook driven in the closet
| door from which an exceedingly
shabby coat and weather-beaten hat
were suspended. BY this means she
was able to reach the garments and
was soon attired for the street Run
| ming back to the window she scanned
the city and the heavens. Just above
the horizon cleaned single star OF
wondrous brilliancy, and the child. en-
raptured by its beauty, forgot that
she intended to go out and remained
motionless watching the respondent
glory of heavens jewel. The room
was flooded with a soft shimmering
light, and the child gave a sob of joy
as she suddenly realized that the star
moved. AS far as she could see the
same silvery radiance flooded the sky.
The great soul within that tiny body
sang with happiness and she softly
whispered: 1T is the star of Bethle-
hem. I must follow it, like the three
wise men!"
| She fastened from the room and
| down the flights of steps to the street.
The star moved on and on, unfalter-
ingly, and the tiny figure trembled in
every limb as 1t followed the won
drous light.
| Beyond the boundary of the city,
over frozen roads and frost-whitened
fields. the tireless lettle feet, i'll pro-
tected by their worn shoes, fastened
after the star.
At last she came to a tiny house
nestled among a group of fir trees.
From the windows came paths of yell
low light, whose warmth and cheeri-
ness drew her on to the door.
She did not pause to knock. but
lifted the latch and entered. The
room was scantily furnished, but a
glowing log fire bathed the homely
surroundings with glorified beauty.
Seated in front Of the fireplace was
woman who bent lovingly over an
children, while the father of this hap
py family stood somewhat back of the
mother hanging a branch of ever
green above the mantel.
AS the little stranger entered and
hesitated, the children rushed forward
to greet her.
"Come in, child" said the mother.
The tired little girl moved eagerly
forward. Have I found the king?"
she asked.
"The king?" questioned the proud
mother. Eyes, We think baby is a
king" And she placed the soft, pink
face of the infant close to that of the
child, who reverently kissed its
cheek
81 have brought him a gift" she
whispered, shyly, offering little bead
purse. The mother stopped and i'm
printed a warm kiss on the lips of
the tiny gift bearer.
"He will love it, and would thank
you If he could. See, he reaches for
1t now" The chubby fingers, at
tracted by the brightly colored beads,
tried their best to grasp the purse.
"You have given him his first
Christmas gift" said the father.
Draw near the fire-you are cold
while get bowl of bread and milk"
The child removed her hat and
coat. seated herself on the hearth
stool and was soon enjoying the
simple fare.
How did you find us?" the woman
asked.
Il followed the star" she replied.