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

ue oll iAfIluoAsS Auussklso dAduis4
the side Of tie hiii as II for warmth
and pro;ection against the driving
snowstorm Tie wind howled smons
the bare branched locust trees and
whlstled down the wide ehimneys.
Inside the house the low eeiled
kitchen was warm from the slowing
stove and from the big lamp on the
supper table. James DrAytoa and his
wife, Hannah. had finished the even
Ing meal ana Usrs sitting quietly ~
fore the unclesred table fbw wsrs
listening for the sound n sssfKhbeffs
and the shrin whistle Of TIE r. ?. d
man. Tonight they should seceive let
ters from their married children telling
them whether or not they world be
down to the old home nest for Christ
mas. Bob lived in New York with his
wife and one child. while Ellen. the
only daughter. lived at sheerhrcok,
only twenty-five miles across the island
from her parents
Jingle. Jingle, Jingle,
There he isr' cried Hannah nerv-
ously pressing the gray hair back from
her temples. "Oh. James. hope they
are comingr
Presently her husbands form emery
ed from the flying Cakes. He stamped
his feet on the doorstep and came into
the house his broad shoulders pswdsr-
ed with white. In his hand were two
letters.
Hannah began fitting on hsr glasses
and tearing at the envelope In her
hand AS she read the letter her chin
trembled ELLEN can't come. father, 3
she quavered. She says Asa's folks
expect them all over there and they're
sending box to us and hope We woa't
mind very much" Tesrs ware falling
fast now.
Bob Bob-says they can't come
either" said Hannah at last "Iouie's
folks are coming to spend Christmas
with them. and she don't know how to
entertain them all in her little 6at
either. He says they are sending a
box down. Oh, James" she suddenly
cried, 81 don't want their boxes! !
want them, the children I raised. II
will be so lonesome without them. II
won't be Christmasr'
James Drayton tried to comfort her.
but his face worked strangely. He told
her That 1t would still be Christmas,
but that the selHshness Of others might
mar it a little. For should not these
children have planned 50 that their
parents should not be left alone on this
day Of days?
The next day would be Christmas
eve. and there was much to DO IN prep
aratlon for the holiday. for James
Drayton insisted that the usual prep
arations be made for the day. He had
spent sleepless night. but in the
morning there was a look Of stern de
termination on his face.
"Well. Hannah. do you feel Ike en-
tertaining a bunch OF children todayr'
he said Children that amt got no
folks-that is. no folks to make Christ,
mas for them"
"Who in the world do you mean.
James Draytoni" she demanded. Be
fore he could answer she added quick
ly. you mean the Flecksi"
He nodded, watching her face.
, "And you know we haven't been on
speaking terms with Cousin Peter
Fleck's folks since-since- he cheated
you out of that forty acre pastureT'
she asked breathlessly.
II know It. Hannah. know that
Peter lost 1t all before he died and
that Ada Fleck is having hard time
trying to bring MP those four children.
They're nice children too The oldest
girl-Beatrice-makes me think of e.
len." he added refleetively.
"Adas been doing sewing" said
Hannah, 'and heard she was taking
home work from the bag factory.
expect it win be a poor Christmas for
them ALL"
81 met little Fred. and he told me
that they didn't expect Santa Claus to
stop at their house this year"
"WiH you go after them. James. or
shall l go?r asked Hannah.
James Drayton smiled down At her.
and. suddenly STOPPING from his tall
Aheight. he kissed her lips A warm
lblush invaded her faded cheeks.
I'VE will both go after them" he de-
clded. I'm going ont now ts harness
up.H
The door slammed after him Han
nah gave one glance out into the
snowy world outside. The sun was
coming ont, and everything was s-spar.
kle with reflected glory. She hastily
banked the Ore In the stove, dressed
herself warmly and. locking the door.
went out to the barn, where old Gray
was harnessed to the double cutter
you'll have to cut Christmas tree,
father she said gayly.
"I'll 20 cut before dark and do that.
he said as they started OF.
Little Fred saw them coming and
ran to open the door for them. There
was little embarrassment at nrst fer
the Draytons and the Flecks had net
been on speaking terms for many years.
But James Drayton's kindness and
Hannah's sympathy soon bridged the
gap. and when the invitation came for
the whole family to pack themselves
into the sleigh the children broke iBte
excited clamor.
sob. mother, pleaseF' they eosxed.
Ada Fleek smiled through her tears.
Its real good and forgiving Of yeu,
Hannah and James" she sohbed. Aft