Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1916-12-29

have got to do 81 me Christmas shop
ping. We will stop along about
O'Clock"
That was a very exciting Christmas
eve for the Draytons after all. Down
in the village they had TO buy little
gifts for all the children. aud Han
nahs motherly eye had rapidly ap-
praised the wardrobe Of the family. 50
that they could remember them with
substantial gifts as well as toys. II
was long after O'Clock when old
Gray snd the double cutter drew up
before the Flecks' cottage once more.
The little family was waiting. dressed
In their hest-s rather shabby hest in.
deed
II was q pissssat rids heme indeed.
md they 6id act kAow until afterward
fAat the villagers noted and comment
ID uroH the reconciliation.
When Ada was in the pleasant sitting
room watching the cedar log blazing
on the hearth and sending up little blue
spirals Of fragrant smoke she fairly
cried. Later Hannah. tiptceing into the
room, found her fast asleep In the bis
Boston rocker before the ere. The two
younger children were coastIng down
the hill behind the barn. They had
found Bob's old sled in the attic. Dan
the Oldest boy. helped Mr. Drayton put
up the horse and sleigh and feed the
chickens aud then went forth on that
mysterious srrapd of cutting the
tree
Inside tue kitchen Beatrice. the girl
who was like Ellen" helped Hannah
DrRyehn prepare the chickens for tho
next days roast and cook the hearty
supper that they were all hungry for.
Beatrice pretended not to notice when
Mrs. Drayton called her Ellen" for
she knew that the elder woman was re-
living past Christmas ewes spent with
her own daughter. Mr. Drayten also
forgot and called Dan by Boh's name.
1t was quite late before the children
went to bed. and finally the whoie
house was asleep with the gayly deco
rated tree In the dark sitting room
waiting for the hrst peep o day to
come in order to reveal its pleasant
surprises
On the floor were two boxes unopen-
ed. The station agent had brought
them the night before. One was from
Ellen and the other was from Bob
Hannah had cried a little in secret at
the thought that this was to be the frst
Christmas without her children. But
abe chided herself for bclag selfish and
tried to lsok forward TO next year when
It might be their turn to have a family
reunion.
Still, talking the next morning in
their bedroom. while the happy shouts
of the children from the sitting room
testified to their delight in the tree and
It's gifts, they agreed that II Ellen and
Roh had come home for Christmas they
would never have dreamed OF inviting
the Flecks. and there would not have
been this reunion and this happiness
all around.
In the afternoon the children were
to have the kitchen In which to make
nolasses candy md pop some corn. In
the meantime there were sleds TO try
ont on the Hill. new clothes to try on
and new books to read. Mrs Drayton
and Mrs. Fleck cooked the dinner and
Beatrice set the long table
They were Just about to sit down
when there came the rumhing sound
Of the station stage. The wheels
creaked over the crusty snow and came
to stop in the yard.
The whole family streamed out on
the front porch to see who had arrived.
James Drayton and his wife pressed
eagerly forward when woman
emerged. a woman who proved to be
| Ellen. and a man who was none other
than Ellen's husband. and athere fol-
lowed, Bob and Louie. his ttle wife,
and their little one.
MERRY Chrlstmasw cried Ellen as
she few to her fathers arms.
MERRY Christmasw shouted Bob as
he picked up bis little mother. why,
we got to thinking about It. and tele-
phoned to sister. and we agreed that it
was going to be O pretty mean trick to
leave you here oil alone at Christmas.
80 we stole away for n few hours to
spend IT with you. Who are all these
folksi"
"Come inside, and I'll tell you all
about t." said James Drayton. leading
the way into the dining room.
That was never to be forgotten oc-
casion. For the Draytons 1t was AN
unexpected joy coming after great
disappointment They had resigned
themselves to Christmas spent with
out their dear ones, and now the chill
dren had come. after all. to round out
the perfect day.
As for the Flecks. It marked q change
In their lives. El,cn's husband became
interested IN Dan and offered him a
place in his store at Sheerbrook. and 1t
was arranged that Ada and the other
three children were to spend the rest
Of the winter in the Draytons' home
Bob and Ellen talked together before
| they parted that night. Next year"
said Bob gravely, I'VE mustn't walt
until the last minute before deciding.
We've got to see that all the fathers
and mothers on all sides Of the family
are provided with happy time before
We think OF ourselves"
And By that time" smiled Ellen.
We win be quite happy ourselves"
That Christmas proved to be the be-
ginning OF many new things for many
people. which is as II should be. for
Christmas was a beglnning-and al
wave win ha