Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1922-01-27
PRINCE OF PEACE
/ ~ GRACE r. oLIN.

-
her shawl around her shoulders with an
excited little gesture, IF Miss Taylor
amt outdone herself this year in
decorating her winders."
"N1erry Christmas, Mrs. Burton"
Mrs. Tucker the landlady, advanced in
to the ROOM "Ain't it cleared off
right pleasant now? Did you ever
see 50 many stars, or such a moon?"'
Her round face beamed with Joy, for
little Mrs. Burton was favorite with
her.
"AIrs. 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 I 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. 1 had hin take along. Amt
Miss Taylor's wihders gorgeous?'
II was just admiring 'em when you
came in, Mrs. Tucker" answered little
Mrs. Burton happily. ''And wish you
a Merry Christmas, too," she added. II
don't know how I 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,
1 don't. Seems as if everything is go
ing to come out all right after all,
don't it. IT," Oittle Mrs. Burton's
chin trembled for moment) ''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"
NJ No l-,1nxx-irr hiS r.
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 the
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-
couragement 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.
"There, there, now" Mrs. Tucker
wiped a tear from her own eye. 'We
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 a strange light shone on the
ruddy features Of Mrs. Tucker.
"And Mrs. Burton" she added, cts
going to be the happiest Christmas you
have ever known"
BY the table David Burton stood, his
wife's note in his hand.
dearest David" said this note, II
can't stand it any longer. I 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.
II 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 Il glad little
laugh.
"We're 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
stripe or two on his sleeve, and a
medal on his breast.
Merry Christmas, mother" cried a
glad young voice as little Mrs. Burton
was swept into his arms.
Merry Christmas, dad" He wrung
the old mans hand. you see, I was
in prison, but it was a German prison,
and they just let me out" With an
arm about each he passed with them
through the merry cheering group into
| the little white house.