Graham guardian., 1902-12-26

SHE lOOh THE CltlPPLED BOY IN HER Aims.
not been able to find her way back TO
the camp, ana how she feared the
wolves would devour her before any
one should come to look for her. Then
she told BahOushka that her name was
NasaliSsa.
Eaboushka claSped the little wander.
Cr 10 hcr great mOtherly heart.
"That. indeed, the wolves shall not,
my dear little Nasalssa. | cannot give
thee back tn thy aunt for know no
better than thou dOst where this great
company of men and women may be
camping for the night. But thou shalt
so homo with Ossip and me. Thou
shalt share our fire and our porridge,
and all that is mine thou shalt share
with OsSp. | can keep the wolves Of
hunger and cold away, and if thy aunt
cjmts 10 claim thee she shall find thee
rosy and happy"
Then Vasalissa quickly dried her
tears, and with her hand Clusped in
BaboushkaH she trudgod chcerfully
forward until they came to Il tiny little
cottage set back from the road short
distance. In itS one window Il lamp
was burning brightly.
The window and the lamp belonged
To BabDuShka's cottage. She pushed
is unlocked door open. and the chill
dren entered with her into clean
swept, well warmed room.
\ large chair was drawn close UP to
the hearth. As BahoushEa entered she
glanced eagerly at this chair. and again
she muttercd under her breath:
Il had hoped he might have conn
while was out."
"GOod mother" Ossip asked. "Wh!
do you leave Il lighted lamp in the win
dow when you 80 away"
80 that" she answered, "Shc"!d az.
one go astray in the cold ana the Ian
he might find his way to NY poD.
cottage And now let US see If the Lcal
broth has kept warin all tbs time. !
made it before left E2mc in tie e"ri!
morning hours so that ii any wHnCp'
crs found their way hthcr they msr
not leave my ro"f huGGCrCd.
The bean broth had kept warm Sh
bade Ossip throw II few mere rago;
under the pot and set NaS"l:SHA on
stool in the warmCSt Eoo&. Then 81,
brought three bowls. filled them witt
the bean broth and put them Oh til,
table. Over them she asked Il blessing
Before her own wooden S!Con hn,
made two journeys from Eowl TO /
she heard timid knock ut the doc
She ran quickly to answer it. y tai!
pale lad stood outside. In his arms h
carried small mtc Of boy. about
, whose shoulders was wrapped Il wor
and soiled woman's shawl.
The tall, pale lad looked into the fire
lighted room with longing eyes His
teeth chattered with the cold as he
asked: Good mother, may we ask
shelter for the night? The cold bites
bitter hard and my little brother Pc
1rusha is but sickly cripple"
Then BahoushEH opened wide her
door with anrCagCr hand and fast beat.
ing heart Perhaps, ut last, this was
the child What she said aloud was:
THAT ir.vcd thou mayest, But why
art thou abroad or such bitter night
with me littlH one"
She iook the crippled boy in her
strong loving arms and carried him
straight 10 The great chair in the chin
ney corner She raped her OWL
best shawl about him and chafed hiI
small, withrrcd feet until they glOweC
with wnrrth. The tall, pale lac
looked OIL : atcfully.
II am seeing an asylum for the lit
tie one" lac said. Il have TO work hare
to keep hin ana myself from want. 4
:ich nc"ch Ut has promised ne work
but he says must not bring Petrusha
That he would take too much of m