gleaming silence, till they
reached the stable, where the Candle was burning steadily, and sending
forth its pure white light into the moonlit vapour.

Michael stepped on and was at the door first. He put his great arm
across, as if to ensure caution and reverence.

"Go easy, go easy, the both of yous! but sure, they might be gone back
already, and no one to have seen them, only meself!" he said in the same
awed whisper.

They peered in, for beyond the Candle were dusky spaces; yet its light
was enough to show them two figures there; a girl-mother with her child,
lying very still.

Was she asleep, or.... She was so white and small! The long dark hair
had been loosened and fell about her like a soft mantle; and close,
close to her heart lay the little child.

"Delia, Delia!" said Art.

"The Child!" said his mother.

Delia unclosed her eyes and looked up with a little smile. "I have him
here, safe!" she said.

And Michael, only half comprehending, fell on his knees and sobbed
aloud.

THE END

_Printed by_ R. & R. Clark, Limited, _Edinburgh_.

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