Contents
I.--THE BABY
II.--THE CHILD
III.--THE FRIEND
IV.--THE WORKMAN
V.--THE COMFORTER
VI.--THE BURDEN BEARER
VII.--THE THORN CROWNED
VIII.--THE BROKEN-HEARTED
IX.--THE FORGIVER OF SINS
X.--THE GIVER OF LIFE
XI.--THE STILLER OF THE STORM
I
The Baby
The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the
patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter,
filled the great hall. Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly
graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a
moment while the room rang with applause.
Into alcoves, screened and flower-decked, couples wandered. In the
dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed,
pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.
Suddenly the music stopped, the conversation ceased, the laughter died
away. Almost, as it were, poised in the air, the dancers stood amazed.
One looked to another in surprise. Something stole throughout the room
which was neither music, nor lights, nor fragrance, but which was
life--a presence!
