Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-12-19


| That is true said Lilith. THAT
sa clever DEVICE. Then after a
moments reflection: Could ! sso
him?'
| 'Who:'
| The Messiah
In order to see him. one uns,
know where he is. And. if wa
knew where to find him, the king
would not be obliged to kill all the
other little children Of the town. /,
That is true said Lilith. Then
she added in low voice. ~ II sbe
we're afraid Of her own words: INV
father is very wicked Then sud.
denly: But little Hozael?'
Little Hozael.' said Zabulon.
viii die with the others, for the
soldiers will search every house.
But | am very sure that little
hozael is not the Messiah. How
could he be the Messiah? He is the
son OF my foster-sister.'
Ask your father to spare him.
said Zsbulon.
Il dare not, said Lilith. Then
she resumed: Il shall 90 myself
with Noun and get little Hozael,
and hide him in my room. Then
ne will be very safe, for the king
almost never comes there
Lilith ordered the mules to be
harnessed into her cedar chariot.
sped to Bethlehem with Noun. en-
tered the home of her foster-sister.
Lebonda, and said: 1t isa long
time since | have seen Hozael. |
should like to carry him to nv
palace and keep him for day and
a night. The baby is weaned and
has no longer need of thy care. I
will give him a dress OF hyacintbe
and collar of pearls She said
nothing to Zebonda of what she had
learned from Zabulon, so afraid was
she of the king.
But she noticed that Zebonda's
face shone with uswonted ioy.
why art thou so joyouss'
Zebonda hesitated moment, then
replied: i am joyous, Princess
Lilith, because you love my son.
And thy husband, where is hep
Again Zebonda hesitatsd, and
answered: He has gone to gather
his focks upon the mountain -sIde.'
Noun hid the little Hozael under
her long wells; and Lilith and the
good negress returned to the palace
just as the sun was setting.
When Lilith reached her chamber,
she took Hozael upon her lap, and
the baby laughed aud tried to pull
the little princess long ear PEN
dants. But suddenly, Noun, who
was preparing some corn Cruel for
the child in the next room, rushed
in crying, The king! Here comes
the king"
Lilith had only time TO hide
Hozael in large basket and cover
him with pile Of silks and bright
woods, before King Herod entered
with slow, heavy tread, the chains
and plates Of gold, with which he
was covered, shaking with each
movement. His back was bent, and
bis blood-shot eyes glared in his
terrible face; his chin shook SO with
the palsy that bis bristly beard
seemed to shudder. He said to
Lilith: Whence comest thou?'
She replied: From Jericho
And she raised toward the king her
eyes. AZ calm as the water OF a cis-
tern.
'Oh. how she resembles herr
murmured Herod.
At this moment, little cry came
from the basket.
will you keep quiet:' said Lilith
to the cat, Astaroth, who slept on
the rug. Then she said to the
king: MY father, you seem troubl-
ed; would you like me to sing to
you?'
And taking her either, she sang
him song about roses.
And the king murmured: 'Oh,
that voice!!'
Then he fed, as il struck with
fear, because LIlith's voice and eyes
recalled to him the voice and ewes
Of Queen Miriam.
L;iith went into the garden and
found old Zabulon weeping.
sWhy dost thou wsen old z.hr