Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/181

164 "M. Alphonse," she whispered, "you look so—so glad. Did the Lord Christ come to you?"

The old man smiled and laid a hand on his breast.

"The Lord Christ is here," he said.

Aimée's father came up and touched his arm. "Can you find your way home alone, do you think, my friend?"

"My way? Oh yes—I am very near home," replied Alphonse. He looked up at the radiant sky, smiling.

The concierge felt a little anxious. The old man seemed as if scarcely conscious of what was going on about him.

"My little girl and I are going to the grandmother's"; said the concierge. "You are sure you can go home alone?"

Alphonse smiled the same tender, faraway smile.

"I am going home now, he said, and he turned away.

Early next morning the concierge went