o touch the grass.

"There has been a number of campers passing through the valley to settle
north on the Caymus ranchos, this little sprite must be one of their
children who has strayed away," said Jovita.

"Come little one, let us go into the house and have our breakfast."

The Christchild did not seem to understand her, for he continued his
capering and wild antics.

"Stop, stop," exclaimed Crescimir in his native tongue, "stop and listen
to what the beautiful Senorita says to thee. Come now into the house."

He ceased his play immediately and went before them up to the door, with
tears in his eyes on account of Crescimir's rebuke. As they reached the
veranda Crescimir caught the little elf up in his arms and kissed his
rosy lips; the moment the child's feet touched the ground when Crescimir
put him down, he put his hand over his mouth as if to keep the kiss warm
and running to Jovita, she lifted him in her arms, as he signed her to
do, when suddenly withdrawing his hand, he kissed her, looking back
significantly and laughing.

Both Jovita and Crescimir knew what the child had intended to express
and both blushed consciously, yet could but marvel at the acuteness of
the little creature who so soon was able to read their hearts, even
before they had perfectly known them themselves.

The mother of Jovita now came to the door and inviting them into the
living room, the events of the past night were related and all that was
known of the little waif.

Crescimir spent the day by the river searching for what might have been
left on the banks by the flood. He learned that his raft had been
carried out of the stream through a break in the bank, and much of the
wreckage of his own house with it. Returning to the hacienda he
discovered in a clump of bushes, over which the water had run when at
its highest mark, the bodies of a man and woman entangled in the canvas
cover of a camp wagon. It was evident to Crescimir from their dress that
they were German emigrants.

With the help of some of the rancheros the bodies were carried to the
house.

"They may be the parents of the little one," said Jovita's mother. "We
will bring him here and see if he recognizes them; it seems cruel but it
is the only way."

They brought the Christchild to the room where the bodies lay. When the
little fellow saw them, he clung to Crescimir and uttering a moaning
sound, yet seeming half like a laugh, he hid his eyes and would not look
aga