ame
boy, the hurt creature, as he looked, melted into the shadow of his
radiant, perfect self, and shined too. The mother with her child grew
bright, bright; and each of the kneeling, praying ones was a perfect
shining child! The light grew into glory; the fullness of joy broke into
singing; angels, heavenly hosts, singing, "The Christ is here,--here in
the world!"

But what--? Who--? Why, his mother, to be sure, leaning above him.

"Wake, Hansei; hear the music! See the choir boys in white, like
angels."

Hansei opened his eyes wide. The glorious Christmas morning was beaming
full upon him through the great window, and he saw the light of the new
day touching the bent old woman, the lame boy, the mother with her
child, the beautiful woman beyond, and the pictured Christ.

He heard clear voices, "Peace on earth!"

But the dream--the dream!

"I have found the real Christ-child," he whispered.

Ay, to save and redeem and restore him, ... snatch Saul the mistake,
Saul the failure, the ruin he seems now,--and bid him awake
From the dream, the probation, the prelude, to find himself set
Clear and safe in new light and new life,--a new harmony, yet
To be run, and continued, and ended--who knows?--or endure!

--_From Browning's "Saul."_

[Illustration: _By Bartolome Esteban Murillo_

THE DIVINE SHEPHERD]

SAUL AND DAVID.

The great King Saul of Israel was sad, and the sorrow grew and grew
until it spread abroad through the whole nation. Even it came to the
simple folk who minded sheep and lived in the far hills.

"The mighty king is sad," said one who had come from a journey. And the
people gathered about him and marveled that a king should sorrow.

"The king is sad," said the one. "He has traveled into the great desert,
where nothing blooms and there are no rivers."

The people stood still and looked off over their stretching pastures,
and heard the gush of water brooks.

"He sits alone in a dim tent, with his head in his hands," said the one.
"His sword rests at his feet. The army goes no more to battle. The
servants weep and pray, and strain their eyes over the burning sand,
waiting."

"Waiting?" said the men.

"For one to come," said the other.

"Who shall come?" they asked together.

"The joy-bringer," said the man.

The shepherds looked at one another, and then away; and when they had
stood awhile in silence, they moved off after their sh