favorite of a Czar.

SOMETIMES in the light of day the inner, other self of Katherine would
overcome--would want to flee--but ever the mysticism of Oriental nights
would draw out more strongly than before the tainted blood of the
unfortunate.

FINALLY the Sultan grew disdainful--There were newer girls brought from
Mecca, from the desert.

THE great--the inevitable conflict with her inner self left her
torn--haggard.

FOR days she hung between life and death--with no one to care, save an
old colored slave.

GONE the mystic atmosphere of the Orient--the music of cymbals.

* * * * *

A PROVINCIAL town in France--with the ill-lighted streets--and a steady
down-pour of winter rain.

IT is Christmas eve

THROUGH the window Katherine has been watching a procession of people
hastening to midnight Mass at the Cathedral. Women--dressed in the
picturesque garb and coif of Brittany--men and children--What peace is
theirs--they know of the Christ Child--of his Mother--and no streams of
lowest passion--can cover their souls.

THE Cathedral of Nantes has stood in its Gothic beauty for many
centuries--has witnessed many scenes.

THAT night a soul struggled against the past.

A WOMAN--she was alive--for she walked--moved. But within--she was
numb.

SHE lay almost fainting on the steps of a side Altar--before the
creche--

HER inner self was pleading--Katherine--live again!

PRESENTLY the Adeste Fidelis sounded--throbbed--filled the church

HOW beautiful--she murmured.

THE memory of the Sultan rose and fell each time at the sight of the
candles, the acolytes in prayer. A vision so fierce and lustful could
not live in this sacred place.

* * * * *

MY child--advised the old Priest--pray--pray always for forgiveness--for
enlightenment--for guidance. One who seeks these things as fervently as
you do always finds.

THAT NIGHT HIS SORROW WAS LIFTED.

_All ye are Christ's and Christ is God.--Saint Paul_

HIGH in the mountains,
above the cities
where all was calm--peaceful--
a golden moon shone down
lighting bare branches and fallen leaves--
lighting the dark pines--

IT shone on the lake, in a valley in the mountains,
making golden streaks upon the waters--

* * * * *

CHRIST walked on earth that night and stopped near
the shore of the lake

HE looked into its depths--
at the sky--at the moon--
and fel