Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-04-16

have child of her own, it would have to
te of its fathers faith.
IS it was. tn is her child"
He went away and looked down unoI
the 10y, who was tossing restlessly upo
his bed.
"The villain borrowed money on every
hand" continued the old man, coming
back. and again looking down upon the
little flower-maller, as she arranged tGe
petals of rose with her d.ft fingers,
borrowed money on his wifes prospective
Inheritance, drank it. gambled it away,
and then deserted her and her child in
some Russian town, to which he had got
himself transferred on purpose to sepa-
rate her from h"r people. BY some
means she got here in search of me, not
knowing | was paralyZed. She knew |
loved her always in spite of all. They
had t. take her to the hospital before
long health was broken. She begged
me to keep the boy and to bring him up
in our own faith.
Keep him and love him is all that
could do, To teach him anything would
be capital otfense. Not that he,itatel
for my own sake; but, had | attempted
it, he would have been taken from me
Now they may claim him ut any moment.
Though am ready to lay down my life
for him, yet l know that they will force
me to give him up now that she has gone"
Has she gomez" asked Felice softly.
YES. she is at rest. Yester morn they
heaped the cold clols of earth upon her.
saw it thankfully. Poor wreck of our
rare, bright little girl"
The old man went back to the bed and
a L.. L. ,.;n
in silence
Thus ne day and night, then many
days and nights of anxious watching be
fore Gavreel awolle to recognize his Dada
and smile upon him. But lie did so at
last.
Who is she?" he asked, pointing to
Felicie
THAT is good Felcie, who has saved
your life"
Good Felicie," said Gavrs.l, thought
fully, 'yes-I remember her; she told me
stories of the Christ Chill l. and wanted to
make me cry, but ran away"
she has been very good to you," said
Dyada.
Has she been good to you2" ques-
toned Gavreel.
"Yes, indeed, my dear one; better than
l can say.
Then she may finish the story" said
Gavreel; l will hear all from good
Felicie."
Did she tell you that the rich people
brought cakes and sugar and lots of
good things to her mother when she was
dead?"
The old man shook his head.
She told me-" said Gavreel DO you
think she wanted them, my Dyadap
"Who, dearY'
"Why, the dead mother"
"She wanted nothing dear any more.
The Lord took her to Himself"
Il am very glad" said Gavreel. "When
will Felicie tell me the end of the story?"
When he was well once more he heard
the whole story, and took it into his low
ing heart eagerly. Again he danced
about the courtyard, bright and happy,
making the sunshine of two lives Felicie
found a thousand ways of doing him
good, and took the whole responsibility
upon herself. In an incredibly short
space of time he knew his prayers, then
his catechism, besides many sweet hymns.
But of all this and of other things
greater and far more precious that she
accom- plished for his soul, there is no use
in speaking now.
He was indeed, a bright and beautiful
Polish lad though only poor old Dyaia's
nephew. Poor old Dyada! He hal been
brave soldier in his day, but was forced
to live here, in exile and dire poverty;
though, if he had never fought for his
dear Poland, he might be living at his
ease, with his only sister, on the dear oil |
farm that she sill held in spite of much
injustice and persecution.
One day, it was a bright day. too. for
the sun shone down hotly, and the blue
sky was cloudless there came Il knock at
the old mans door.
Enter"
A Russian soldier of dissolute mien and
air stepped in He saluted, military fash
ion, looking about the small room
sharply.
You are Stanislas Ivanovtch?"
The old man had arisen, but had nc
power to answer.
81 came for my son. Where is he2'