Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-09
CHAPTER X.
MALACHI RACES AT HIS DAUGHTERS
CURE.

MALACHI RACES AT HIS DAUGHTER'S S
CURE
When Ariella and Rachel and Bsruch
reached the house together that evening, a
strange spirit fell upon them. The excite
ment of the tremendous event which had be-
fallen Ariella took on the form of an in
tense calm. Baruch hardly knew what he
expected; more and less than he expected
had come to pass. He strained his sensitive
ears to hear the sound of Ariella's step upon
his mothers floor. Wonderful sound!
Ariella walked to and fro to try her feet;
they sprang like birds or butterflies lightly
lowering up and down; for some moments
she fitted about, for sheer pleasure of the
fitting; but she did not say one word; then
suddenly she sank upon little white linen
ottoman which stood against the wall, and
gave a pretty yswn, like a child who is
sleepy or tired-a sound of pure health and
physical comfort. When had any one heard
q sound like that from the inYalid's young
lips?
Rachel, t" said Ariella, "I am so sleepy:
How strange feeling Dear Baruch, you
cannot think how delightful it is! 1t runs
through nv body and my brain like the fall
of dew. 1 have no pain. What shall do?
How does one act who has no pain? ought
to speak, should talk to you. 1 have moth
ing to say. What shall 1 do? Be patient
with me. To wait for the ache to tire Itself
out-that is the way to so to sleep. But
there is no ache to wait for. How can this
be! 1t will return. 1t must be that it is
coming back to me- 1 would sit awhile
further and wait for it and battle with it,
and say TO it: Ah, you demon of the sick!
1 have escaped you for little time-so
long-one hour-two hours-I have defed
you'll Now we will have 1t out between us,
you and lp'
But while Ariella spoke the words she
sank upon the ottoman suddenly, threw one
thin arm around her head, curled her face
into the bend of the elbow, smiled more like
a babv than a sick woman, and fell straight
way into a deep sleep. 1t was a wonderful
sleep. 1t lasted all that night; her even,
healthy breathing was not interrupted by so
much as sigh; she slept on and on, as if
death itself could never interfere with that
blessed recuperation Of the wasted nerve;
and as if life loved her too well ever to trou-
BILE her by waking.
Suppose she wake not?" asked Baruch
in the unreasonable terror of love. "What
ii she never wake, D my mother?'
1.-THE girl perisheth for sleep like this. I
doubt me il she can remember what it is to
rest like other human creatures. Mark you,
my son, the healing is not complete upon her
yet. Without this sleep she might fall upon
her old ways tomorrow. 1t takes more than
two hours to heal woman for nine years
ridden upon her bed. Let her alone, Baruch.
There are many that do profess to heal the
sick. Time is their testimony, my son.
have seen many broken heart in my day
come from false healing"
''There are pretenders, I know" said
Baruch, 81 have heard of them"
"And 1 have seen them" whispered
Rachel, with the caution of an elderly wo-
man, 81 have seen lame men throw away
their slaves by reason of faith in false gods
and prophets; and I've seen them send to
Jerusalem for new ones next week"
"But he is not as they, murmured Ba-
ruch with the obstinaey of faith. Now
Rachel quite agreed with Baruch concerning
the genuineness of the healing quality re-
ported of the Nazarene; but it pleased her to
shake her head with the dignity of expert
ence and answer only:
AT any rate, you had better let the girl
sleep; and do as much for yourself"
Il go without" said Baruch, "and keep
watch. Stay with our guest, my mother,
ana guard ueTJ lOE Sne Is pTeclOuS
Rachel looked after her son as he departed
from the room and shook her head sadly.
"Rbat is the use, she thought, ''in a
blind son? He thinketh of the maiden like
a man with eyes"
But Rachel was sound asleep herself in
ten minutes, and neither blind son nor in
valid guest troubled her com Portable night.
Only Bsruch knew-and he only by stealing
now and then to the doorway and reverently
listening Ia the slightest sound from within
only Baruch knew if Ariella slept the
strange sleep of health, or ceased the long
familiar moan of suffering. Baruch watched
ill dawn, and when dawn came he prayed,
Ariella awoke quietly. For some mo-
ments she lay still; the old expression of
patience settled upon her features; she did
not try 10 move. Rachel watched her in
tently; BaruGh quivered without, breath
less listener.
Rachel" called Ariella, Rachel, 1 have
slept 1t is good to be within your walls.