Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-13

AS tney ramDleQ Inrougn lne SarQcn sn
bid Ephraim help her to pluck some flow
ers, and when the basket which he carried
for her was full, she invited him to sit will
her In an arbor and lend hand in twininl
garlands. These were offerings to the be
loved dead. Her uncle and a favorit,
cousin-somewhat like Ephraim himself
had been snatched away during the pas
night by the pestilence, which his peopl,
had brought upon Tanis.
And from the street which ran along tn,
garden wall the wailing of women was in
cessantlv heard, as they mourned over the
dead or bore a corpse to its burying; and
when suddenly it rose louder and more
wotul than before she gently reproached
him for all that the people of Tanis had
suffered for the sake of the Hebrews, and
then asked him if he could deny that hel
nation had good reason to hate race that
had brought such plaques upon it.
To this he found it difficult to answer dis.
creetly, for he had been told that it was the
God of his people who had stricken the
Egyptians, to release his own from oppres-
sion and slavery, and he dared not deny OF
contemn his own flesh and blood. So he
was silent, that he might neither lie nor
blaspheme, but she gave him no peace, and
at last he made answer that all which
ended In sorrow was repugnant to
him, but that his people had no power over
health and life, for that when Hebrew was
sick he very commonly applied to an Egyp-
| tian leech. What had now come to pass
was no doubt the act of the great God of
his fathers, who was of more might than all
other gods. He, at any rate, was Hebrew,
and she might believe him when he assured
her that he was guiltless of the pestilence,
and that he would gladly call her uncle and
cousin back to life again if be had it in his
power. For her sake he was ready to do
anything, even the hardest task.
She smiled on him sweetly, and said:
'Poor boyl If find a fault in you, it is
only that you belong to a race to whom
patience and pity are alike unknown. AIssl
for our hapless and beloved dead. Thew
must even be deprived of the songs of lamen-
tation of those who mourn for them; for the
house where they lie is plague-stricken and
none may enter there"
She dried her eyes and said no more. but
went on winding her garland; but tear after
tear rolled down her cheeks. He knew not
what more to say, and could only hand her
flowers ana leaves. Whenever her hand
CHANGED to touch his the blood coursed hotly
through his veins. His head and the wound
began to ache violently, and now and then
he shlvered. He felt that the fever was
gaining on him, as it had once before, when
he had nearly lost his life in the red sick
ness, but he was ashamed to confess il. and
held out against it.
When the sun was already low the Cap
tain came out into the garden. He had
already seen Joshua, and although be was
sincerely glad to meet bis trusted friend
once more, be had been ill pleased and un-
easy that, before all else, he had made warm
inquiry for his daughter. He did not con-
ceal this from Kasana, but the glare of his
eyes revealed the satisfaction with which he
greeted her from the Hebrew. Then he
turned to Ephraim, and told him that
Joshua with his host had halted outside the
city by reason of the plague. They were to
pitch their tents without its precincts, be-
tween Tanis and the sea. They must
presently go forth to the camp, and his
uncle sent him word that he was to seek him
there in his tent.
When he saw the lad helping his daugh-
ter to wind the funeral wreaths he smiled,
exclaiming: "0nly this morning this Young
lordling longed to be free and a ruler ali his
lie, and now he has entered your service,
hasana. Nay, do not blush, my young
friend. And If either your mistress or your
uncle can prevail upon you to become one
of us, and devote yourself to the noblest toll
that of warrior-it will be well for,you,
Look at mel For more than 40 years have
welded the bow, and to this dsy rejoice
in my calling. have to obey, to be sure.
but have also to command, and the tbous.
sands that do my bidding are not sheep and
beasts, but brave men. Consider the matter |
once more. He would make q splendid |
chief OF the bewmen; what do you say,
Kasana?"
Certainly" replied the lady, and she
had it in her mind to say more. but bevond |
the garden wall the measured tread of an
preaching troops fell on the ear. The bright
blood mounted to her cheeks, her ewes
glowed with fame which startled Enb.
rain, and, needless of her father or her
guest, she flew past the pool, across the
avenues and flower beds, up a turf bank
near the wall to gaze with eager eyes out
into the wood and on the armed host which
presently came past.
Joshua marched at its head in full armor
He turned his grave head as he came by the
captains garden, and when be saw Kasana
he lowered his battle az in friendly greet
ing. Ephraim had followed with the can
tain, who pointed out Joshua and said; "a
bright weapon like that would well become
you, too, and when the drum is beating
and the pipe squeaking, while the stand.
ards ride high overhead, man marches
IS lightly as though he had wings
To-day the martial music is sileuced bv
reason OF the dreadful grief that the malig.
1ant Hebrew has brought upon US. Joshua.
indeed, is of his race; vet, little as can
overlook that fact, must confess that he is
thorough soldier and a model for the
younger generation. Only tell him what
hink of him in this respect Now hid
arewell at once to Kasana and follow the
roops; the little side gate in the wall is
,pen."
As he spoke he turned to 20 back into
he house, and Ephraim held out his hand
o bid the young woman farewell. She
ave him hers, but instantly withdrew il.
aging: How hot your hand is. You are
n a fever
Nay, nay, murmured the boy; but even
s he spoke he dropped on his knees and a
loud came over the suffering lads soul.
united as it had been from one emotion to
mother.
Kasana was startled, but she at once re.
overed her presence of mind and proceeded
D cool his brow and the top of his head with
7ater out Of the adjacent pool. And as she
Id SO she looked anxiously in his face, and
ever had his likeness to Joshua struck her
Vividly. Yes, the man she loved must
ave exactly resembled this youth when he
imself was boy. Her heart beat faster
nd as she supported his head in her hands
be softly kissed him.
She thought he was unconscious, but the
eireshlng moisture had recovered him from
is brief swoon, and be felt the touch with a
Teet thrill, but kept his eyes shut. and
ould have lain thus for lifetime with his
cad on her bosom, in the hope that her lips
lgnt once more meet his. Instead of kiss