n Siberia. They banished him."

"But, little one," said the stranger, "that is a terrible place for a
child to go to. That frozen country, where wicked people are sent!"

"O, yes,--but my father is there, you know," said Paulina.

"Who is your father?" the man asked.

The little girl was about to tell him, when she noticed a look of
interest on the stranger's face, so she said,

"Did you say that you had lost your way in the forest? Do you live far
from here?"

"Yes, very far. I am lost, and am nearly perishing from hunger and
cold. How far is it to the next village?"

"They told me it was some miles on," said the child. "But I will take
you back to the woodsman's cottage where I spent the night. The woman
is a kind-hearted person, and I am sure she will give you shelter."

"That is kind of you, little one," said the stranger, "but you will be
hindering your own journey if you do that."

"I know that my father would want me to show a kindness, even though
it did put me back some," Paulina said.

"You must have a good father, to give you such training. Why did the
Emperor send him into exile?" the stranger asked her.

"O, my father had enemies who lied to the Emperor--and there was no
chance given to my father to explain. So the Emperor sent him away to
Siberia,--and I am trying to find my way there to him."

While they walked through the forest, the stranger told Paulina about
his own little daughter who was expecting him to spend Christmas with
her. At last they reached the woodsman's hut. The woman greeted them
kindly, and while Paulina went into another room to help her prepare
the evening meal, the stranger was left warming himself by the fire,
and rocking the cradle.

Once Paulina thought she heard voices, as if the stranger were talking
to someone; but when she went back, she found him alone, still warming
his hands and rocking the cradle with his foot.

That night the stranger slept on the floor in front of the fire--there
was no other place for him; but he was glad to be safe from the storm
outside.

Early in the morning, the two started out through the forest again.
They must hurry, if they were to reach the next village before
darkness fell. The storm had passed over, and the day was cold and
clear. A beautiful winter's day. The little girl and the stranger
reached the village on the other side of the forest early in the
afternoon, and there before them they saw a beautiful sleigh drawn by
f