The Somerset reporter., 1896-12-08
SLED with great joy. Lilith bethought

flled with great joy. Lilith bethought
Aer of a ruse.
"Hozael is very well, said she,
land shall bring him back to you to-
morrow. But since you know where to
find the Messiah lead me to him. am
come to adore him. :"
Methouel was simple man, little
disposed to think i'll of others, so he re-
piled. II will show you the way, Prin-
cess Lilith. "
When they reached the spot where
the infant lay, Lilith was greatly as
| tonishAd for she had expected to see
something extraordinary and magnif-
cent without knowing exactly what,
and she only saw "a hut built against
rock and in this hut an ass, an OK, a
man who appeared to be workman,
woman of the people, beautiful, yes,
but pale and delicate and poorly clad.
And in the manger, lying upon the
straw, was little child, whom at first
glance she thought like any other child.
But when she drew nearer she saw its
eyes, and in those eyes look not that
of a babe, an infinite sweetness more
than human, and she became aware that
the stable was only lighted by the light
which emanated from him.
She said TO the young mother, What
is your name?"
"Miryem. "
And your little boy?"
Jesus
''He seems to be very good.
'He means sometimes, but he never
cries.
'Will you let me kiss him."
Eyes, madam, said Miryem.
Lilith stopped and kissed the child
upon the forehead, and Miryem was a
little vexed that she did not knee.
$50, said Lilth, this little child
is the Messiah"
"You have said it, madam. "
"And he will be King of the Jews?"
cit Is for that that God has sent
him. =
But then he will make war and kill
many men, and he vii dethrone King
Herod or his SUCCESSOR
"No, = said Miryem, for his king
dom is not OF this world. He will have
| neither guards nor soldiers. He will
have neither palaces non treasures He
will not infiict taxes upon the people,
and he will live like the poorest fisher
man on the lake of Genesareth. He
will be the servant Of the poor and
| humble. He will heal the sick and com
fort the afflicted. He will teach truth
| and justice 1t Is over hearts, not bod
les, that lac will reign. He will suffer
to teach us the price of suffering He
will be the King of Love, for he will
love all men, And he will teach those
who are tormented with longing
which this world cannot satisfy where
their poor hearts can find peace and
| JOY. And no doubt he viii have a
| throne. y
"Ah, now you seel' said Lilith still
resisting
But, resumed Mryem, 1.-The throne
will he cross. He will die upon
cross TO expiaie the sirs of men SO that
God his Father, may have pity upon
| them.
Lilith listened III astonishment
Slowly she turned her head toward the
manger. The babe was gazing at her,
and, vanquishcd by the caress Of those
deep eyes, she murmured mo one ever
told me those things before, y and fall
ing upon her knees She adored him.
I know, said Lilith rs she rose
''that King llerod will search for the
child to kill him. Take the ass and fly
will pay its master.
Following the narrow paths which
wound i'll and out among the round
hills the little company soon reached
the plain. Here, said the princess,
L must leave you. | am the Princess
Lilith, daughter Of King Herod. Re-
| member me.
And as they disappeared in the dark
ness Of the night. Joseph leading the ass
upon which sat Miryem holding the
| infant Jesus i'll her arms, Liith fol-
| lowed with her eyes the aureole en-
| circling his divine brow As the pale,
mysterious light disappeared behind a
| forest of sycamores Lilith heard the
| tramp of horses hoofs and the clanking
of swords upon the opposite road. 1t
was the squadron of Roman soldiers
marching toward Bethlehem.
Every one knows that the Princess
Iilith WAS one of the holy women who