“But why should I trust you, when you will not tell me who you are, or anything about yourself?” Paulina asked.

“Do trust my father, Paulina.  I’m sure he can help you.  He will tell you who he is soon, I know,” the beautiful little girl said.

“Yes, little one,” the stranger said.  “I know someone who could speak to the Emperor about your father, and perhaps he could be pardoned.  Please tell me your name; and then before you go away I will answer any questions about myself you may ask me.”

“Do tell my father, Paulina,” the little girl urged.

Paulina threw her arms about the stranger’s knees.

“O, if you could only get the Emperor to pardon him.—­But I do not ask for a pardon—­he has done nothing to be pardoned for.  All that I ask is that he may have justice done him.  My father is Vladimir Betzkoi.”

The stranger frowned, and then he whispered,

“There must be some mistake.  He must be a good man to have such an honest little daughter.”  Then he said to Paulina,

“Do you believe now that I am an honest man, since you have seen my daughter?”

“O, yes, indeed I do.  You couldn’t help being good and honest.  She is so beautiful.  I think her face is like what a queen’s should be,” Paulina answered eagerly.

The stranger and his little daughter smiled, and the man said,

“Well, I believe that your father is an honest man since I have seen you.  And I can tell you now, I know he will be pardoned.”

“Tell her, father, tell the little Paulina who you are,” his daughter whispered.

“Until your father returns to you, little one, you must stay here and I will be a father to you—­as I am father to all the people of Russia, for I am the Emperor!”

Just then the bells began ringing, and voices outside began singing,—­for it was the beginning of Christmas morning.  And Paulina said,

“This is the happiest Christmas morning I have ever known.”

[*] By permission—­Copyright, 1912, by Sturgis & Walton Company.

UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

As Told by Phebe A. Curtiss at a “White Gift” Service

It was in the little town of Bethlehem, with its white walls and narrow streets, that a wonderful thing happened many, many years ago.  The whole aspect of the place had been completely transformed, and instead of the quiet which usually existed there, confusion reigned.  The little town was crowded full of people.  All day long men, women and children had been pouring in companies into it until every available place was full.  It had something to do with the payment of taxes, and the people had come from far and near in response to the call of those in authority.

Many of them were staying with relatives and friends, and every door had been opened to receive those who came.  There were not many places where the public could go to stay in those days, and the ones that there were had been already filled.