Page:Russian Wonder Tales.djvu/217

Rh price of it he must promise to wed her to a stranger.

"Well, old man," he said, "give me the flower, and if my daughter will take thy son, he shall have her."

"Have no fear," said the little old man. "Whom my son woos, her will he wed!" and giving the box to the other, he instantly vanished.

The merchant, greatly disturbed at his sudden disappearance, hurried home, where his three daughters came out to greet him. He gave to the eldest the satin shoes and to the second the silken petticoat, and to see them they clapped their hands for delight. Then he gave to his youngest daughter the little box and said: "Here is thy scarlet flower, my daughter, but as for me, I take no joy of it, for I had it of a stranger, though it was not for sale, and in return for it I have promised that thou shalt wed his son, Finist the Falcon."

"Sorrow not, little father," said she. "Thou hast done my desire, and if Finist the Falcon will woo me then will I wed him." And she took out the scarlet flower and caressed it, and held it close to her heart.

When night came the merchant kissed his daughters, made over them the sign of the cross and sent them each to her bed. The youngest locked