The good curÉ listened with sympathetic interest.

"Help shall be sent to them without delay," he said. "Your clever dog will no doubt be able to guide those who shall go straight to the van, and now if you will drink this warm soup which my servant has just brought in, and then compose yourself to sleep, which you greatly need, you may count on finding your brother and sister here when you wake again."

CÆsar obeyed without question. He had perfect faith in the benevolent priest. The welcome soup sent thrills of comfort through his whole frame, and as soon as he had drunk the last drop his head fell back upon the pillow, and he sank into a profound sleep.

Meanwhile the curÉ had organized a party of rescue. Late as the hour was he had no difficulty in getting willing responses to his appeals, and in a short time several men leading two strong horses set out to find the van, Vigilant proudly acting as guide.

The sagacious animal took them straight to the spot, and at their coming, Nadine, whose nerves had been enduring so cruel a strain, burst into tears of joy, while Abel capered about shouting:

"We're saved! We're saved!" and then throwing himself upon Vigilant, rolled him over in the snow in the exuberance of his delight.

The horses were promptly attached to the van, replacing poor old tired-out Steady, who joined Nalla at the rear, and the little procession moved towards Mamezan at a good pace.

Father BlandiniÈre with the aid of his warmhearted housekeeper had everything ready at the presbytery for the reception of Nadine and Abel, and for the accommodation of their animals. They were all well fed, and then retired to rest, the children in comfortable beds, and the animals in a warm stable.

It was broad daylight when CÆsar awoke, and being of a strong constitution, he found himself little the worse for the exposure of the previous night. He lay there for a while enjoying the luxury of the soft bed, and then his desire to know about Nadine and Abel impelled him to get up.

He made his way down-stairs, and opening the door, was rejoiced to see the familiar old van in the yard with the faithful Nalla standing beside it, and seeming to be quite himself again.

"Yes—there's your little house on wheels with everything belonging to it," said a kind voice behind him, and CÆsar, turning around, saw the curÉ's housekeeper smiling pleasantly upon him. "But you must not expect to see your sister and brother for a while yet. They are still sound asleep. They were quite worn out, the poor things!"

CÆsar thanked her warmly for her kindness to them, and went out to the stable to see how Steady was, stopping on the way to pat Nalla's trunk, and to say affectionately:

"You dear monster! I'm so glad you're better. I hope you'll not be ill like that again."

Old Steady set up a joyous neighing as soon as he heard his young master's footsteps. There was nothing the matter with him, and after making his little demonstration he resumed munching the excellent hay with which the manger was liberally supplied.

It was not until midday that Nadine and Abel awoke, and as the three children were exchanging embraces the housekeeper came to say that dinner was ready, and that the curÉ invited them all to dine with him.

Wonderfully refreshed by their sound sleep, delighted at being together again in so comfortable an establishment, and with the keenest of appetites, the three children followed the housekeeper into the dining-room where they were graciously received by the benevolent curÉ.

M. BlandiniÈre seated them at the table, and saw to it that they had thoroughly enjoyed the steaming savory soup before he asked them any questions.

Then he drew them out to talk about themselves, and to tell him their whole story, to which he listened with deep interest and sympathy. He had reached the age of seventy years, for two score of which he had been the curÉ of Mamezan, where he was universally beloved for his good deeds, and amiable qualities. He was the kind providence of the unfortunate, the confidant of the young, the most trusted friend of the old, the comforter of the sorrowing, the one whose presence was sought above all others by those drawing near the dread Valley of the Shadow.

When Nadine in her clear sweet way had finished her recital, the good man murmured as he placed his soft white hand gently upon her head:

"Poor little things! Poor little things! Orphans! Left alone in the world at the very time when most in need of counsel and protection!"

Then he was silent for a moment while the children fixed their eyes upon his wrinkled countenance that expressed benignity in every line. Presently he spoke:

"I am very poor, my dears, and am not able to do much for you, but however poor one may be it is their duty to share what they have with those who are still worse off. Your purpose is, you say, to continue your journey that you may recover your sister, and earn your living. That is right, I approve of your resolution, but you are worn out. You need a good rest before you can proceed, and I am going to keep you for a while. We will take good care of your elephant so that he may regain his health, and will look after your horse and dog. The Christmas festival is at hand. We will join you in praying to the good God that He will restore to you the little one for whom you mourn. I will allow you to give a performance at Mamezan before you leave—that is, after the Christmas fÊtes. For the present you are my guests, and I want you to enjoy yourselves thoroughly."

With brimming eyes and quivering lips, for the kindness of the curÉ moved them deeply, Nadine and CÆsar tried to find words in which to express their gratitude, while Abel, inspired by one of the happy impulses of childhood, slipped down from his chair, and gliding to the curÉ's side, put up his face, whispering:

"Please may I kiss you, I love you."

Bending over the little chap, Father BlandiniÈre encircled him with his arm, and imprinted a kiss upon his plump cheek, murmuring to himself:

"Truly, of such is the Kingdom of Heaven!"

That afternoon, as the three children were strolling about the streets of Mamezan, and felicitating themselves upon the happy turn in their fortunes, Nadine stopped suddenly and said:

"But how can we repay the curÉ's kindness? We are poor—poorer than ever before, and our future is very uncertain."

"Nadine," responded CÆsar, looking very wise, "I know something that will greatly please the curÉ. I have spoken to the sacristan, and he said it was a capital idea, and I promised him to carry it out."

"And what did you promise?" asked Nadine eagerly.

"Ah! that is my secret, which I shall keep carefully," responded CÆsar. "But I assure you that it will give the curÉ great pleasure."

After the evening meal, which they had at an early hour, they all went to bed to get a good sleep before midnight. In good time the housekeeper aroused them, and, having dressed carefully, they went to the village church, Nadine and Abel in company with the housekeeper, while CÆsar, so full of his secret that he could hardly trust himself to speak, joined the sacristan, who was evidently waiting for him.

They found the church already well filled for the celebration of the midnight mass. There were bronzed fishermen and bearded miners by the score, for it was a custom faithfully observed in that village that the men should never miss the Christmas Mass if they could possibly be present.

At the last stroke of midnight the priest, good Father BlandiniÈre, took his place before the altar, and the solemn service began.

It must be admitted that at Mamezan they were not very exacting in regard to the singing of the chants. There was only the sacristan, who in a hard, rough voice led a handful of boys, who had very little notion either of time or tune. Indeed, it was quite a grief to the venerable priest that he could not have better music at his church. But the people were too poor to pay for an organ and an organist, and so they had to be content with the well-meaning but far from harmonious sacristan.

The choir, if it may be so called, was placed in a little gallery over the main entrance, and into this gallery CÆsar followed the sacristan.

Nadine had wondered why he did not go with them to the church, and had been looking for him all over the building. At last she caught sight of him in the gallery, and gave a start of surprise.

"Why, what can CÆsar be doing there?" she said to herself. Just then the sacristan made a sign to him, and he advanced to the front of the gallery with his mandolin in hand.