Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/25

Rh chance? And also why it is that I am so fond of you, and would not hurt a hair of your head?"

"I suppose it is my dear mother's blessing that helps me in all I do."

"Well, then, look here, my dear. I don't want any blessedness in my hut. I think you have been here quite long enough; so you had better go back to your step-mother and sisters with my compliments, and take one of my skulls with you."

So saying, the witch gave Vaselesa one of the horrid-looking things, and saw her off.

Away ran the girl, thinking the witch quite the most charming old lady she had ever met. It was growing very dark now, and had it not been for the lighted skull she would never have found her way. She ran on until Day broke in upon her, and the skull darkened; but as soon as Night galloped past the skull lighted up again, showing Vaselesa the way.

On the following evening she arrived at the gates of her home. All was in total darkness. She was about to throw away the lighted skull and enter the house, when suddenly, to her great surprise, a voice like thunder came from the skull, saying,—

"Throw me not away, but take me unto thy step-mother!"

She looked up at the window, and seeing that there was no light anywhere, she took the skull in with her. Her people went out of their way to be as nice as possible. They embraced her tenderly, telling her that they had been in utter darkness during the evenings the moment she had left them. Whatever light was brought to them, went out immediately.