THE TSAR AND THE ANGEL.

OMEWHERE, nowhere, in a certain
kingdom, in a certain empire, time
out of mind, and in no land of
ours, dwelt a Tsar who was so
proud, so very proud, that he feared
neither God nor man. He listened

to no good counsel from whithersoever it might come,
but did only that which was good in his own eyes, and
nobody durst put him right. And all his ministers
and nobles grieved exceedingly, and all the people
grieved likewise.

One day this Tsar went to church; the priest was
reading from Holy Scripture, and so he needs must
listen. Now there were certain words there which
pleased him not. “''o say such words to me!”
thought he, “words that I can never forget, though
I grow grey-headed.” After service the Tsar went
home, and bade them send the priest to him. The