ng up to meet the pleading eyes of the
Child: but, lo! the whole face had melted into the aureola; nothing
was left but light. Yet Cristobal was filled with a new joy; and, as
he opened his eyes, his dream--if dream it were--changed, becoming as
sweet and solemn as a prayer. It seemed to him that the roof of the
cottage glittered with stars, and was no longer a roof, but the
boundless sky; and, afar off, like remembered music, a voice fell on
his ear, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father
will also forgive you your trespasses."

Cristobal arose, and, although still blind, walked in light. "It is
the aureola which has stolen into my heart," thought Cristobal. "The
pain and hate are all gone. Now I am ready for Christmas. I wish I
could help poor Jasper, who has such a weight of guilt to carry!"

Next day, "golden-sided" Burgundy saw no happier boy than Cristobal.
He walked in the procession that night, carrying a candle whose light
he could not see; but what did it signify, since there was light in
his soul?

Hark! In the midst of the Christmas-chimes breaks the jangling of
fire-bells. The count's house is on fire! The sparks pour out thicker
and faster; tongues of flame leap to the sky; the bells clang
hoarsely; the Christmas procession is broken into wild disorder; the
wheels of the engine roll through the streets, unheard in the din.

Cristobal rushed eagerly toward the flames, but was pulled away by the
people.

"We cannot drown the fire!" they cried: "the building must fall! Are
the inmates all safe?"

"All, thank Heaven!" cried the count.

"No: _Jasper_! See, he waves his hand from the third story! Save him!
save my boy!"

Jasper had set fire to a curtain with his fatal Christmas-candle. Now
he raved and shouted in vain: no one would venture up the ladder.

"O Little Jesus," whispered Cristobal, "give light to my eyes, even as
unto my soul! Let me save Jasper!"

At once the iron band fell from Cristobal's vision. He saw, and, at
the same moment, felt a supernatural strength. He tore away from the
restraining arms of the people; he rushed up the ladder, shouting, "In
the name of the Little Jesus!" He reached the window, heedless of his
scorched arms. "Jasper!" he cried, seizing the half-conscious boy, "be
not afraid: I have the strength to carry you."

And down the ladder he bore him, step by step, through the crackling
flames.

Jasper was revived; and the fainting Cristobal w