unfamiliar texture; he does not seem cold either, although he is so
lightly clad. We must try to find his parents who, doubtless, are now
anxiously searching for him or believing him drowned in last night's
awful flood."

The strange little creature seemed now entirely to lose his sleepiness
and broke into a merry laugh, sliding down from the saddle he capered
madly around the two astonished spectators like a little elf blown about
by the wind, his golden hair floating around him and the pink, little
feet scarcely seeming to touch the grass.

"There has been a number of campers passing through the valley to settle
north on the Caymus ranchos, this little sprite must be one of their
children who has strayed away," said Jovita.

"Come little one, let us go into the house and have our breakfast."

The Christchild did not seem to understand her, for he continued his
capering and wild antics.

"Stop, stop," exclaimed Crescimir in his native tongue, "stop and listen
to what the beautiful Señorita says to thee. Come now into the house."

He ceased his play immediately and went before them up to the door, with
tears in his eyes on account of Crescimir's rebuke. As they reached the
veranda Crescimir caught the little elf up in his arms and kissed his
rosy lips; the moment the child's feet touched the ground when Crescimir
put him down, he put his hand over his mouth as if to keep the kiss warm
and running to Jovita, she lifted him in her arms, as he signed her to
do, when suddenly withdrawing his hand, he kissed her, looking back