Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
and that without little HoaZel she
would be very sad.


Presently Lilith went into the gar.
den to walk under the great syca-
mores. There she met old Zabulon,
VINO had formerly been captain of
the Kings guard. Herod had re.
placed his Jewish guard by Roman
soldiers, but having confidence in
Old Zabulon he had given him the
care of that part of the palace in
habited by Lilith.
Old Iabulon, who had been feeble
Tor many years, sat summing himself
upon q stone bench. His back was
so bent with age that his long beard
reached to his knees.
Lilith said to him, "Thou art sad
old Zabulon."
Yes, Princess Lilith, because |
have learned from q centurion that
the king had given orders to kill to-
morrow morning at dawn all the
children in Bethlehem under two
years of age"
Why? ?"
The wise men have announced
that the Messiah is born. But it is
not known how to recognize him,
and the wise men have not returned
to tell where they have found him.
BY killing all the babes in Bethle-
hem, the king is sure the Messiah
cannot escape him."
THAT is true" said Lilith, "That
is a clever device" Then after a
moments reflection, "Could | see
him ?"
who ?n
1.-THE Messiah
/" In order to see him, one must
know where he is. And if we 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, as if she
were afraid of her own words, "My
father is very wicked" Then sud
denly, "But little Hozael?"
Little HoZael," said Zabulon,
"will die with the others, for the
soldiers will search every house."
But L am very sure that little
Hozael is not the Messiah. How
could he he the Messiah? He is the
son of my foster-sister."
ASK your father to spare him."
said Zabulon.
"I dare not" said Lilith. Then
she resumed: 81 shall go myself
with Noun and get little Hozael and
hide him in my room. Then he
will be very safe, for the king al
most never comes there"
Lilith ordered the mules to be har-
messed into her cedar chariot, sped
TO Bethlehem with Noun, entered
the home of her foster-sister, Ze-
bonda, and said: 1T is long time
since l have seen HOZael. should
like to carry him to the palace and
keep him for a day and night. The
boy is weaned and has no longer
need of thy care. l will give him
dress Of hyacinth and a collar of
pearls" She said nothing TO Ze-
honda of what she had learned from
Zebulon, so afraid was she of the
king.
But she noticed that Zebonda's
face shone with unwonted joy.
why art thou so joyous ?"
Zebonda hesitated moment, then
replied, - am joyous, Princess
Lilith, because you love my SON."
"And thy where is he 2"
Again Iebonda hesitated and au-
swered, He has gone to gather his
flocks 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 and tried to pull
the little princess long ear pendants.
But suddenly Noun, who was pre-
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 Ho-
Zael in large basket and cover him
with pile of silks and bright wools
before King Herod entered with a
slow, heavy tread, the chains and
plates of gold, with which he was
covered, shaking at each movement.
His back was bent, and his bloodshOt
eyes glared in his terrible face. HIS
chin shook so with the palsy that
his bristly beard seemed to shudder.
He said to Lilith, Whence CONTEST
thOu?"
She replied, "From Jericho. -
And she raised toward the king her
eyes, as calm as the water of cis-
tern.
"Oh, how she resembles her -
murmured Herod.
At this moment little cry came
from the basket.
"Will you keep quiet ?" said Lii
ith to the cat AstaToth, who slept on
the rug. Then she said to the king,
"My father, you seem trOnbled.-
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 20
Then he fled, az if struck with
fear, because Lilith's voice and eyes
recalled to him the voice and eyes
of Queen Miriam.
Lilith went into the garden and
found old Zabulon weeping.
Why dost thou weep, old Zabu-
Ion? ?"
"YOu know the cause, Princess
Lilith. 1 weep because the king
wishes to kill the little child who is
the Messiah"
But" said Lilith, If he ia the
Messiah, men cannot have the power
| tD EiII him -