294 
THE BED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
dressing-gown pocket, and turned his head away — quite 
needlessly, for it was very dark. 
The two men remained silent for a moment, listening 
to the echo of the gay young voice with which the little 
bride used to greet her husband ; she so tender, and lov- 
ing, and true ; he so strong, and brave, and hopeful for 
the future ! And, as they listened, they caught the 
words : — 
" Christ was born on Christmas Day, 
Wreathe the holly, twine the bay ; 
Carol, Christians, joyfully, 
The Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary." 
" That's a new one," whispered the Discouraged Man 
again, delightedly. " She never sung it before. She 
must have learned it on purpose for to-night ! " 
There was a weary little pause within the room. She 
was wondering, perhaps, why he didn't come. Presently 
she began again, and her voice had grown, strangely 
weak, so that they could hardly hear it in the rush of the 
wind outside the building. 
Let the bright red berries glow 
Everywhere — in goodly show " — 
It died away into a mere whisper, and then ceased 
entirely. 
Mr. Broadstreet hesitated no longer, but touched his 
companion's arm, and they both entered. 
She was lying on a rude bed in the corner of the room, 
her eyes closed, and her hands folded upon her breast. 
