Angel enters from the right, ascends the
steps of the altar and stands beside the huddled figure of the_
PRIEST. _As she stands there, a single pencil of light shines down
upon her from above, a ray of light so brilliant that everything
around seems dull in comparision, and while she gives her message,
the light above grows till it floods her hair and garments with a
miraculous radiance. The_ ANGEL _smiles at_ HOLGER _and chants in a
lovely voice._)

ANGEL. Verily, verily, I say unto you, it is not gold nor silver nor
rich pearls but love and selfsacrifice that please the Lord. The
Christ-Child was hungered and you gave him meat,--a stranger and you
took Him in.

HOLGER. (_In an awed tone_) But I--I have not seen the Christ-Child.

ANGEL. Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these His
Brethern, you have done it unto Him! (_The_ ANGEL _stands with one hand
uplifted, as the music rises in a great crescendo of triumph_. HOLGER,
_quite overcome, drops his face in his hands and as the climax of the
singing is reached, the whole tableau is held for a moment, then blotted
out in darkness_.)

(_There is a pause, then the light on the hearth flares up revealing
the boy alone, still on his knees, looking up bewildered at the back
wall of the hut, where the vision had been. Swiftly he rises to his
feet and turns to face the Woman._)

HOLGER. Dame,--dame!--The Chimes,--the star--did you see? (_She is gone,
he stares about him looking for her_) Gone! Gone! (_The music still
rings softly_) But the Chimes! (_He turns, runs to the window, and
flings open the casement. A soft light, half moonlight, half something
more luminous pours in upon him. He speaks in a tone of infinite
happiness, looking upward_) The stars!--God's Chimes!

THE CURTAIN FALLS SLOWLY.

THE APPENDIX

[Illustration: Sketch of hut scene for "Why the Chimes Rang," before the
backing of the gauze drop is raised. (Everything back of the fireplace
on the left, and the window on the right, is painted on the gauze,
including the stool and the supporting pillar.)]

[Illustration: Sketch of chancel scene for "Why the Chimes Rang," after
the backing of the gauze drop is raised. (For simplified setting made of
screens, see diagram on page 34 of appendix.)]

The accompanying scenery plates are not intended to be followed in all
their elaborate detail but merely to give an idea of the ef