significantly and laughing.

Both Jovita and Crescimir knew what the child had intended to express
and both blushed consciously, yet could but marvel at the acuteness of
the little creature who so soon was able to read their hearts, even
before they had perfectly known them themselves.

The mother of Jovita now came to the door and inviting them into the
living room, the events of the past night were related and all that was
known of the little waif.

Crescimir spent the day by the river searching for what might have been
left on the banks by the flood. He learned that his raft had been
carried out of the stream through a break in the bank, and much of the
wreckage of his own house with it. Returning to the hacienda he
discovered in a clump of bushes, over which the water had run when at
its highest mark, the bodies of a man and woman entangled in the canvas
cover of a camp wagon. It was evident to Crescimir from their dress that
they were German emigrants.

With the help of some of the rancheros the bodies were carried to the
house.

"They may be the parents of the little one," said Jovita's mother. "We
will bring him here and see if he recognizes them; it seems cruel but it
is the only way."

They brought the Christchild to the room where the bodies lay. When the
little fellow saw them, he clung to Crescimir and uttering a moaning
sound, yet seeming half like a laugh, he hid his eyes and would not look