Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-26

IL the doorway OF the cnanibef
4 i and smiled at her. Then she
heckoned languidly.
Come in. Maria IvanoSa," she in
vited, Come in and sit with me.
little one"
Maria Ivanova means" the child
said. obeying. Molly, daughter of John,
doesn't itp"
"You remember don't you" the
woman marveled. Well make a Rus
sian Of you in no time. sweetheart
God forbid she added To herself
I'm quite rested after my nap.
Molly" she resumed, speaking as
though she dreaded silence. What
have YOU been doing this morning."
The child, sitting primly by the bed,
one thin hand Of the woman's clasped
II 18th CO hers. prattled Of the MORN
ing's happenings, carefully emitting.
ohsdiert to her sisters warning, all
mention of the rsfled safe. Ana Lyoff
lay still. but there was little Of relax
alton in her attitude Hers was the
tense quiet Of the trapped animal, and
hsr ewes, beneath their heavy lids were
steady with some hidden purpose.
Thrice the child felt the thin hand
she held in her own clench and witch
The voice Of the little girl brought
the woman back from her own tram
ping thoughts,
Chief walker" she repeated "he
Is downstairs? Then he has come to
see ms9"
the child finched at the tight clutch
Of the fingers and stared al her re-
pyoachfully.
nanded hsrSfly
He came Molly gulped He came
to see Esther. guess. They sent me
out of the kitchen
Two large tears coursed down her
why. little one" the woman said
synpathetically. you are sad. Why
Is taat?"
with a crooked arm across her eyes.
Nelly wept silently.
Il don't like-Chief walker" she
confessed spasmodically. Il think
he's a--a-a fat cid thing. And I'm
'sraid Esthers going to marry him and
you hurt my fingers"
Ana Lvnof patted her hand gently.
New that is too bad she said
softly And hurt you. That was be-
cause ] was thinking, dear one, and
II is bad to hurt people by your
thoughts Don't cry, beg. Molly.
Don't CRY and
She paused and drew long breath.
Her face looked calner. more relaxed.
as though she had suddenly found
relief.
And I will tell you a story. You
used to ike my stories when I lived
here Shall Il"
Molly smiled and wiped her tears
away.
~oh." she said. that will be won-
6erful I'd love it. The one about
VASTLY the WISE"
mo" the woman replied softly. IAN
other story. today. I was thinking of
It, Just nov when hurt your fingers.
The child folded her hands in her
lap and drew a long breath Of delight.
sOnce upon a time" the woman be-
gan slowly. there was great king in
q faraway land. q gracious and kindly
man with a lovely queen and beauti-
full DAUGHTERS and one sweet little son.
And they were all very happy together,
and they had faithful mobiles who de-
lighted to serve them, and their first
thought was to help the people OF
their land
The king had palaces Of marble and
splendid soldiers. and the jewels in his
crown were as big as plums. but there
was one Jewel that he valued more
than these. for his father had worn it
before him and his father before him
a1d SO. back for hundreds of years. all
Of his line had cherished this stone. be-
cause Molly. the first OF these great
kings had obtained this stone and be-
Nered it brought him good fortune. And
the belief had grown as the stone passed
from father TO son until they all knew
that ne who held ii should rule the
land and ne who lost it should lose his
kingdom and his life as we'll
What sort of stone was it?S the
little girl asked. her cheeks pink with
excitement
"A green stone,'' the woman replied.
"A bright, green stone like clearer and
deeper sea water than any man had
ever seen. There is-tl1ere was none
other like ii in the world, and the king
and the other kings who reigned be-
fore him wore it about their necks on
q gold chain close against their bare
flesh. and when they felt its weight
there they were comforted and knew
that none should rule the land but they
themselves
Only the kings family and those
CT his servants who were nearest and
dearest to him knew that he possessed
such gem"
The woman ceased and lay silent
r1i1ute. gazing at the ceiling with wide,
distracted eyes.
And then, she continued, the good
k1nr's people we're stirred up by evil
men and rose against him and those
wf7a loved them and had served him
we're sad and many of them died for
him. but the evil men took the king and