Year: 1879

suddenly ne WaSdNahelltu Dy Il sIIdhbo
noise. He rubbed his eyes. Was he
still asleep and dreamingY No, he was
quite sure he was awake. Again that
very odd noise. Some one seemed TO be
pressing heavily on the latch of the door,
and grumbling and grunting at it in a
very odd way. Then the thing seemed
to press harder and heavier on the fas-
tening, till at last the door burst open.


Oscar knew that he was alone on this
floOr-all the servants slept below. lie
felt his blood run cold, in spite of the
dreams of heroic courage which his im-
agination had painted in such lively
colors a short time since.


But what on earth was it he sawcom-
ing in?


An enormous bear, clear visible in the
bright summer night, strobe very solemn
ly into the room; it stood erect on its
hind legs, growing gently to itself and
swaying its body from side to side. 1t
looked and shifted about as if searching
for something, and then softly and eau
tiously took its way towards Oscars
bed.


His hair stood on end with terror.
and beads of cold sweat broke on his
forehead as the monster came nearer
and nearer.


Even smaller grew the space between
him and the monster. Thoughts raced
with lightning speed through the boys
fevered brain. In few seconds all the
stories he had ever heard about bears
came into his head; how men had es-
capped from their deadly embrace by
shutting their eyes, and holding their
breath as if they were dead. But now
there was only space between him and
the growing beast, and, shuddering and
trembling he watched the bear raise it
self up and stretch out its huge paws
towards the d-then-all his plans
about shutting his eyes and pretending
that he was dead were scattered to the
winds, and the poor boy hid his head
like lightning under the bed-clothes.


But what did it mean? He felt moth
ing, no deadly clutch of those savage
looking fore-paws; though Oscar still
heard the enemy growing away close
to his head.


What an age those few seconds seem.
ed to him! At length he plucked up.
enough of courage and moved the
clothes very gently to get breath of
air, and then cautiously peeped out,
when, to his amazement, he saw the
bear turn to the spare bed which stood
at the foot of his own, and begin to roll
up the bed clothes and pillow into a
bundle. 1t then squeezed them togeth-
er with its powerful fore-paws, and
dragged them quietly towards the door.


With every step that took the bear
further and further from him, Oscars
presence, and peace of mind returned
more and more, and when at last he
heard the growing well outside in the
music.roo he drew deep breath, and
felt that spark of his old heroic cour-
age still smouldered within him.


He got up very gently and crept to-
wards the door. wondering all the time
what on earth the bear could want with
bed-clothes and pillows. He locked his
door hurriedly, and then peeped through
the keyhole, and behold the bear had
placed its stolen goods on one of the di-
vans that stood against the wall of the
music-room, just as if the regular cush-
IONS were not soft enough, and was
turning round and round on the divan,
like a dog making bed, and evidently
meant to make itself quite comfortable
and curl itself up for good nights
rest.


The boy watched all these proceed
ings quite rigid with astonishment, and
then, after having again made sure that
his enemy was securely locked out, he
rushed to the bell and rang it violently
| for help.


1t was long time before anyone came
to answer the bell, but at last Petrusch-
ka appeared, sleepily rubbing her eyes.


ooh, Petruschka, l have passed such
a terrible night" cried the excited boy.
'It is a miracle that you did not find
me dead!" and he poured forth in glow
ing language vivid account of all the
horrors he had gone through.


Petruschka listened attentively at
first, but gradually an amused express
sion stole over her face, and at last she
could constrain herself no longer, and
lust as Oscar came to the climax, she
burst out into an uncomfortable fit of
laughter.


If Oscar had been astonished at the
behavior of the bear, he was hardly less
so at that of Petruschka; but rs soon as
she could find words she said, 1.-The fact
is, young sir, that nobody expected you
to return so soon, and in the night, like
this. Your father, the Baron, has been
looking forward TO your coming home,
and he had arranged little surprise


for you. The bear was caught in thu


woods about this time last year, just az


ter you left for school. 1t has grow


very large, but at the same time so tan


that it is allowed to go about anywhere


and it constantly plays with the mer
outside and the dogs, 1t has even learn


ed to open doors very cleverly, Tht
Baron has often pictured to himself YOU


face, the first time the bear came grave
ly in to breakfast, according to its Gus


tom. And although could not hell
, laughing just now, yet l am really very


sorry you have been so badly frightened
by our tame bear.
, Oscars face during this recital woul(
have been a curious study as it wen
through the various changes from eX


citement to astonishment, and from then
to shame and selfreproach.


) When the old nurse had finished he
, story he cried, with burning face ant
broken voice, "Petruschka, l will con
{ fess something to you that would no
have admitted to any other living soul
Never till now did feel what fea


meant; but to night, during five min
utes, which seemed as long as eternity
5 | learned to know it only too well, ant
I | shall never forget thesensatiOn as loni
1 | &c 4 Ii,o 1 paIt oo ut tprlv halnlpqs witt