Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-03-08
PRINCE OF PEACE
BY GRACE r. OLlN

excited little gesture, IF Miss Iaylor
amt outdone herself this year in
decorating her winders."
MERRY Christmas, Mrs. Burton"
Mrs. Tucker, the landlady, advanced in
to the room. "Ain't it cleared Off
right pleasant now? Did you ever
see so many stars, or such moon?'
Her round face beamed with joy, for
little Mrs. Burton was favorite with
her.
Mrs. Burton" she continued, lower
ing her voice, "Mr. Burton don't sus-
pect nothing, and l thought I'd take
this chance, before he comes In, to tell
you l sent Joe up with wood and coal,
and he'll have fire going so as it will
be warm when you get there.
"And the pies and things you baked
yesterday, along with the groceries you
ordered. had him take along. Amt
Miss Taylor's winders gorgeous?"
Il was just admiring 'em when you
came in, Mrs. Tucker" answered little
Mrs. Burton happily. "And I wish you
a Merry Christmas, too" she added. II
don't know how l can ever begin to
thank you for all your kindness to me-"
The wrinkled old hand patted the
other woman's shoulder tenderly.
Making it possible for me to spend
Christmas in my old home, and send
ing Joe to get it ready for me. Why,
don't know what to say, Mrs. Tucker,
| don't Seems as if everything is go
ing to come out all right after all,
don't it. IT," Qittle Mrs. Burton's
chin trembled for a momenD "if only
the Prince of Peace can come into
David's heart
There. there, now" Mrs. Tucker
drew the slender little form close to
her for a moment She knew as we'll
as the whole town knew the sorrow
that filed the gentle soul OF little Mrs.
Burton. She knew that Mary, the shy,
sweet little daughter of David Burton,
had slept this many year meath the
maple trees, and Tom, gay laughing
Tom, had run away supposedly to war,
and that nothing had been heard OF
him for nearly two years.
Rumor had it that Tom was in prison
and finally that report had spread all
over town.
Mother" the frey old man had told
his wife, "Tom is dead to us forever.
Let us never mention him again.
And the mother, knowing his wound
ed pride, had kept her silence, hard
though it was. When the winter days
had come, David Burton, alarmed at
her frailnesS, had closed the little white
house on the hill, and taken her to tho
friendly shelter of Mrs. fuckers home.
He had hoped the rest and compan-
ionship of others would help her for
get, but David Burton did not reckon
the depths of a mothers love.
She wanted her own little kitchen,
all the dear familiar things that were
hers. so at last, when the glad season
of Christmas was come, she could
stand it no longer. David would never
consent she knew, so with the en-
enlargement and aid of Mrs. Tucker,
she planned the event that was to
satisfy the longing of her heart; she
would spend Christmas at home.
She was almost happy as she baked
her pies in Mrs. fuckers spacious
kitchen.
"tThere, there, now Mrs. Tucker
wiped a tear from her own eye. I'VE
amt got no time to feel sad, honey.
Mr. Burton is likely to be here any
time.
Lou won't be needing my company
Mrs. Burton" she said, and for
moment strange light shone on the
ruddy features of Mrs. Tucker.
"And Mrs. Burton" she added, tits
going to be the happlest Christmas you
have ever known"
BY the table David Burton stood, his
wife's note in his hand.
Dearest David" said this note, 81
can't stand it any longer. l am going
home to spend Christmas with the
memories Of my children, and you, my
husband. you will come, too" David
Burton had slipped into his great coat,
his fierce old eyes wet
81 didn't know it was as bad as that,
dear" he said under his breath.
Half way up the hill he overlook
her.
I'm sorry, Ellen he told her, but
she stopped him with glad little
laugh.
Were going home, David" she re-
minded him, land we mustn't be sorry
for anything
Little Mrs. Burton stood quite STILL
her hand reaching out for David's. For
suddenly, every window Of the little
white house was ablaze with light,
David" she said, and her voice
sounded strange to her own ears, "see,
in Toms room, the three candles burn"
And out of the glory two pairs Of
dim eyes saw door open, and out
of it came the trim figure of young
mana young man in khaki, with a
Stripn or two on his sleeve and a