New-York tribune., 1904-08-21
The Castle of Ho1py Days.
BY ANNA MARBLE.

One terrible cold night, during the time when a
great famine ragged in Russia 4 little girl sat shiv-
sring before the dying embers of the hearth fire
Willie out Of doors the wind shrieked tore at the
roof Of the hut, and the fell in fakes as big
and thick as hens eggs.
The child stretched out her thin red hands tow
ard the fire and drew the rags OF an old coat close
ay about her shoulders. Her name was 8Iatrenka
Hnd her father was poor Inoujik, or peasant,
whose crops had failed like those Of his neghbors
80 that his wife. his little SON. Michael and Ma
srenka were nigh 10 starvation.
For two days they had not had q bite to eat,
and while the father and mother and little Michael
slept In an adjoining room Matrenka crept before
the hre and listened TO the storm without and
the wild wall Of the wolves they prowled ABOUT
fhe outskirts OF the village
After while little Michael cried In his sleep
but Matrenka did not move from before the fire.
Twice she fell asleep and dreamed of white bread
and water gruel, only 10 awaken just as she was
about TO eat the tempting food. Then she began
70 cry softly and 20 think OF the good days before
the famine. when they had plenty and 10 spare
She remembered how once. many months ago,
they had been able 10 serve a great lady who had
passed through the village in a beautiful sleigh
and had stopped at her fathers hut for refresh
nents. She remembered the litte girl who sat be-
side the lady, both Of them almost smothered IN
great furs and how when they had stepped out
OF tho vehicle she had observed their beautiful Pc
Kisses chat is long coats Of veve and their little
fur caps and dainty boots OF red leather. They had
asked for tea, and her mother had hustled about
and prepared It in the samoyar, or tea urn and
Fhe herself had been permitted to serve the rich
attls girl After that they had driven away in
their sleigh behind the small horse whose saddle
was studded with shiny brass nails and the bells
on his collar had tinkled, tinkled-oh she well re-
menbered how they had tinkled-Sh! sf-h-h,
Matrenka sat up and Strengthened her body
What the sound that seemed to come across
tne icy fields? Had she been sleeping again. and
dreaming OF the wonderful visitors in the sleigh
with the tngling bells?
In tie other room, little Michael cried again
20, she could not have heard that in her dream
and still the bells tinkled. tinkled. nearer and
nearer, until loud tap tap at the door OF the
hut brought the little girl quickly 20 her feet.
There were great bars Of wood across the door,
Hnd Matrenka let these down one by one II
swung inward with gust OF snow that Blinded her
FOR nom ut Then she perceived that a sleigh
had drawn up, ana voice called 10 her from the
darkness without:
Come. Matrenka, get in quickly, where it IS
warm. Comei Come! I have no time TO waste Do
as bid you You shall return in an hour il you
wish. only now you must obey quickly. Step into
the sleigh beside me. The furs will warm your
body. and there is food for you besides"
Aatrenka stumbled into the up to her knees
and pushed along TO where she could peer up at the
mufiied figure IN the sleigh.
Suddenly the furs that lined the vehicle were d;s
turbed. as the occupant partly rose and leaned
forward at the time stretching forth almost
"lthh Matreka's grasp. a delicious sweet smell
ing loaf Of white bread.
Now, the child saw that it was the same lady
VINO had visited the hut long before and she
held out her thin small hands for the bread. but
tie LADY drew the loaf away. and smiled. brightly
down az Matrenka
Get into tho sleigh beside me-" she urged. .and
you shall eat your ll.' and the little girl was too
hungry 20 ask herself whether she did right or
wrong but climbed at once over the side of the
teiga. and was soon snuggled deeply In the wa rm
iafs' while she ate hungrily OF the bread
Aeah"n'ie' without any driver that Matrenka
couid see the horse and sleigh were ny.nz through
me s'orn across field after field Of deep. drifting
The bells tnlded cheerily. but the lady said