IN CARE OF THE CURÉ.
The good curé listened with sympathetic interest.
"Help shall be sent to them without delay," he said. "Your clever dog
will no doubt be able to guide those who shall go straight to the van,
and now if you will drink this warm soup which my servant has just
brought in, and then compose yourself to sleep, which you greatly need,
you may count on finding your brother and sister here when you wake
again."
Cæsar obeyed without question. He had perfect faith in the benevolent
priest. The welcome soup sent thrills of comfort through his whole
frame, and as soon as he had drunk the last drop his head fell back
upon the pillow, and he sank into a profound sleep.
Meanwhile the curé had organized a party of rescue. Late as the hour
was he had no difficulty in getting willing responses to his appeals,
and in a short time several men leading two strong horses set out to
find the van, Vigilant proudly acting as guide.
The sagacious animal took them straight to the spot, and at their
coming, Nadine, whose nerves had been enduring so cruel a strain, burst
into tears of joy, while Abel capered about shouting:
"We're saved! We're saved!" and then throwing himself upon Vigilant,
rolled him over in the snow in the exuberance of his delight.
The horses were promptly attached to the van, replacing poor old
tired-out Steady, who joined Nalla at the rear, and the little
procession moved towards Mamezan at a good pace.
Father Blandinière with the aid of his warmhearted housekeeper had
everything ready at the presbytery for the reception of Nadine and
Abel, and for the accommodation of their animals. They were all well
fed, and then retired to rest, the children in comfortable beds, and
the animals in a warm stable.
It was broad daylight when Cæsar awoke, and being of a strong
constitution, he found himself little the worse for the exposure of the
previous night. He lay there for a while enjoying the luxury of the
soft bed, and then his desire to know about Nadine and Abel impelled
him to get up.
He made his way down-stairs, and opening the door, was rejoiced to
see the familiar old van in the yard with the faithful Nalla standing
beside it, and seeming to be quite himself again.
"Yes--there's your little house on wheels with everything belonging
to it," said a kind voice behind him, and Cæsar, turning around, saw
the curé's housekeeper smiling pleasantly upon him. "But you must not
expect to see your sister and brother for a while yet. They are still
sound asleep. They were quite worn out, the poor things!"
Cæsar thanked her warmly for her kindness to them, and went out to the
stable to see how Steady was, stopping on the way to pat Nalla's trunk,
and to say affectionately:
"You dear monster! I'm so glad you're better. I hope you'll not be ill
like that again."
Old Steady set up a joyous neighing as soon as he heard his young
master's footsteps. There was nothing the matter with him, and after
making his little demonstration he resumed munching the excellent hay
with which the manger was liberally supplied.
It was not until midday that Nadine and Abel awoke, and as the three
children were exchanging embraces the housekeeper came to say that
dinner was ready, and that the curé invited them all to dine with him.
Wonderfully refreshed by their sound sleep, delighted at being together
again in so comfortable an establishment, and with the keenest of
appetites, the three children followed the housekeeper into the
dining-room where they were graciously received by the benevolent curé.
M. Blandinière seated them at the table, and saw to it that they had
thoroughly enjoyed the steaming savory soup before he asked them any
questions.
Then he drew them out to talk about themselves, and to tell him their
whole story, to which he listened with deep interest and sympathy. He
had reached the age of seventy years, for two score of which he had
been the curé of Mamezan, where he was universally beloved for his
good deeds, and amiable qualities. He was the kind providence of the
unfortunate, the confidant of the young, the most trusted friend of the
old, the comforter of the sorrowing, the one whose presence was sought
above all others by those drawing near the dread Valley of the Shadow.
When Nadine in her clear sweet way had finished her recital, the good
man murmured as he placed his soft white hand gently upon her head:
"Poor little things! Poor little things! Orphans! Left alone in the
world at the very time when most in need of counsel and protection!"
Then he was silent for a moment while the children fixed their eyes
upon his wrinkled countenance that expressed benignity in every line.
Presently he spoke:
"I am very poor, my dears, and am not able to do much for you, but
however poor one may be it is their duty to share what they have with
those who are still worse off. Your purpose is, you say, to continue
your journey that you may recover your sister, and earn your living.
That is right, I approve of your resolution, but you are worn out. You
need a good rest before you can proceed, and I am going to keep you for
a while. We will take good care of your elephant so that he may regain
his health, and will look after your horse and dog. The Christmas
festival is at hand. We will join you in praying to the good God that
He will restore to you the little one for whom you mourn. I will allow
you to give a performance at Mamezan before you leave--that is, after
the Christmas fêtes. For the present you are my guests, and I want you
to enjoy yourselves thoroughly."
With brimming eyes and quivering lips, for the kindness of the curé
moved them deeply, Nadine and Cæsar tried to find words in which to
express their gratitude, while Abel, inspired by one of the happy
impulses of childhood, slipped down from his chair, and gliding to the
curé's side, put up his face, whispering:
"Please may I kiss you, I love you."
Bending over the little chap, Father Blandinière encircled him with his
arm, and imprinted a kiss upon his plump cheek, murmuring to himself:
"Truly, of such is the Kingdom of Heaven!"
That afternoon, as the three children were strolling about the streets
of Mamezan, and felicitating themselves upon the happy turn in their
fortunes, Nadine stopped suddenly and said:
"But how can we repay the curé's kindness? We are poor--poorer than
ever before, and our future is very uncertain."
"Nadine," responded Cæsar, looking very wise, "I know something that
will greatly please the curé. I have spoken to the sacristan, and he
said it was a capital idea, and I promised him to carry it out."
"And what did you promise?" asked Nadine eagerly.
"Ah! that is my secret, which I shall keep carefully," responded
Cæsar. "But I assure you that it will give the curé great pleasure."
After the evening meal, which they had at an early hour, they all
went to bed to get a good sleep before midnight. In good time the
housekeeper aroused them, and, having dressed carefully, they went to
the village church, Nadine and Abel in company with the housekeeper,
while Cæsar, so full of his secret that he could hardly trust himself
to speak, joined the sacristan, who was evidently waiting for him.
They found the church already well filled for the celebration of the
midnight mass. There were bronzed fishermen and bearded miners by the
score, for it was a custom faithfully observed in that village that
the men should never miss the Christmas Mass if they could possibly be
present.
At the last stroke of midnight the priest, good Father Blandinière,
took his place before the altar, and the solemn service began.
It must be admitted that at Mamezan they were not very exacting in
regard to the singing of the chants. There was only the sacristan,
who in a hard, rough voice led a handful of boys, who had very little
notion either of time or tune. Indeed, it was quite a grief to the
venerable priest that he could not have better music at his church.
But the people were too poor to pay for an organ and an organist, and
so they had to be content with the well-meaning but far from harmonious
sacristan.
The choir, if it may be so called, was placed in a little gallery over
the main entrance, and into this gallery Cæsar followed the sacristan.
Nadine had wondered why he did not go with them to the church, and had
been looking for him all over the building. At last she caught sight of
him in the gallery, and gave a start of surprise.
"Why, what can Cæsar be doing there?" she said to herself. Just then
the sacristan made a sign to him, and he advanced to the front of the
gallery with his mandolin in hand.