The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-01-16
THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
By Miss Grace R Olin.
Copyright 1922, by Wheeler Syn
dictate Inc

NCOpyTlSuL, 1874, Dy w QeeIer syn
dictate, Inc.)
Little Mrs. Burton pinned a stray
white curl back of her ear secure
| ly. Hitherto it had dangled in an
aggravating manner over one eye,
Obstructing her view a trife. And
she couldn't allow anything to do
that What with the familiar little
shops on Main street aglow, and
Christmas eve in the bargain, she
needed a clear vision that she might
enjoy it to the full.
Il declare" she whispered, pull
ing her shawl around her Shout
ders with an excited little gesture
IF Miss Taylor amt outdone her
self this year in decorating her
winders. just wish I had money
enough to buy every toy there, and
give 'em to all the little children
in town who won't be getting much
tomorrow"
Merry Christmas, Mrs. Burton"
Mrs. Tucker. the landlady, advanced
into the room. Amt 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,
lowering her voice, Mr.. Burton
don't suspect nothing, and 1
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 a 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, l had him
take along. It's a long pull up the
hill to the house, when you're walk
ing, and there's snow on the ground.
Besides. you might want to look
around the stores some. Amt Miss
Taylor's winders gorgeous?''
Il was just admiring 'em when
you came in, Mrs. Tucker" an
swered little Mrs Burton happily.
And 1 wish you merry Christ
mas, too" she added. Il don't i
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 sending Joe to get it ready for !
me. Why, l don't know what to |
say, Mrs. Tucker, l don't. Seems as |
If everything is going to come out !
all right, after all, don't it? If Git |
tie Mrs. Burton's chin trembIed for
a moment, if only the Prince of |
Peace can come into David's heart.
Mrs. Tucker" she cried, her
mood changing, lust look at that
Toll dressed in pink, and that red
ire engine in Miss Taylor's winder.
Don't seem more than a year ago
hat | bought doll, and an engine
lust like 'em. for my dear Mary and
Tom and yet, yet it's 20 long
ears"
There. there, now" Mrs. Tucker
lrew the slender little form close
% her for a moment She knew as
we'll as the whole town knew the
sorrow that filled the gentle soul
II little Mrs. Burton. She know
hat Mary, the shy, sweet little
laughter of David Burton, had
'lept this many year meath the
maple trees, and Tom, gay, laugh
ng Tom, had run away supposedly
o war. and that nothing had been
leard of him for nearly two years.
Rumor had it that Tom was in
'rlson and finally that report had I
pread all over town And as no h
Vord came from Tom to deny it, it
came to be accepted as a !
act. 1t was then the mother heart
4 little Mrs. Burton's broke. and |
he pride Of David Burton WINGED |
nder the blow.
Mother" the frey old man had l
old his wife. Tom is dead to us s
orever. Would that he slept with t
is sister in the churchyard under