er, when Catharine, in
mortal fright, uttered a piercing scream, imploring help.

Thanks to a merciful Providence, at the precise moment that the savage
bear was preparing to attack her, a shot was fired, and the bear fell
dead at the feet of the astonished child.

The stranger, when he came to the spot where Catharine was still
cowering, trembling with fright, looked with an eye of pity on the
lonely little creature whose safety had been so wonderfully entrusted to
him.

He proved to be a Polish lord named Barezewski, and taking some bread,
cold meat, and wine out of his hunting-pouch, he gave them to Catharine,
who soon felt better for the refreshment she so much needed, and cheered
by the unexpected kindness of the gentleman, who now took her hand to
lead her to his castle, at some little distance.

The countess received the poor outcast with much tenderness, and in a
short time the young Muscovite was able to relate all she knew of her
interesting and eventful history. The noble Pole and his lady were moved
to tears by Catharine's recital of her sufferings and the horrors she
had witnessed on the road; but, thanks to their compassionate sympathy
and kindness, she soon ceased to think of what she had undergone, and
was capable of appreciating the comforts and blessings now surrounding
her.

Several years passed, bringing no intelligence of Catharine's parents;
meanwhile, she grew in wisdom and in loveliness of mind and person, and
no expense was spared to make her an elegant and accomplished young
lady. She had attained her sixteenth year when an important event took
place.

On the anniversary of the Russian child's wonderful and providential
deliverance from a frightful death, it was customary each year to have a
grand feast at the Castle, when the gentle and beloved Catharine Somoff
would relate anew her thrilling history, and review the kindness shown
her by her generous protectors, who looked upon her in every respect as
their own child.

The season had come round once again, and she was in the middle of her
tale, when a gun was heard at a short distance from the Castle. The
weather was very stormy; the wind blew violently, the snow fell in large
flakes, darkening the sky; it was almost impossible to see a yard before
one.

'Doubtless it is some lost traveller imploring assistance, or perhaps
being attacked by wild beasts, so numerous in the forest. It is
impossible to be hunting or shooting merely for