The Somerset reporter., 1896-12-08

- " by
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 babies in Bethlehem, the king is
sure that the Messiah cannot escape
him.
That is true, = said Lilith. THAT is
aclever device" Then after a moments
reflection, Gould / see him."
"Who:"
1.-The Messiah. "
I'm 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 We're
afraid OF her own words,* My father is
very wicked. y Then suddenly, But
little Hozael.'
Little Hozael, " said Zabulon, will
die with the others, for the soldiers will
search every house.
But | am very sure that little Ho-
zael is not the Messiah. How could he
be the Messiah? He is the son of my
foster sister. y
ASK your father to spare him, " said
Zabulon.
II dare not. " said Lilith. Then she
resumed Il shall go myself with Noun
and get little Hozael and hide him in
my room. Then he will be very safe.
for the king almost never comes there. y
Lilith ordered the mules to be har.
messed into her cedar chariot, sped to
Bethlehem with Noun, entered the
home of her foster sister. Zebonda and
said: 1T is long time since | have
seen Hozaol. / should like to carry him
to my palace and keep him for day
and night. The baby is weaned and
has no longer need of thy care | will
give him dress Of hyacinth and col
lar of pearls She said nothing TO Ze-
honda of what she had learned from
Zabulon, 50 afraid was she Of the king
But she noticed that Zebondas face
shonc with uuwonted JOY.
Why art thou 80 joyous?'
Zebonda hcstated moment then
replied. - am joyous, Princess Lilith,
because you love my SON.
And thy Observation-Disclosures is he?"
Again Zebonda hesitatcd and an
swered, 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 ne
gross returned to the palace just as tho
sun was setting.
When Lilit,h reached her chamber,
she took Hozael upon her lap, and the
baby laughed and tried to pull the little
princess long ear pendants. But sud
denly 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 "a
pile Of silks and bright woods before
King Ucrod entered with "a slow, heavy
tread the chains and plates of gold,
with which he was covered, shaking
with each movement. His back was
bent, and his bloodshot eyes glared i'll
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. AZ
calm as the water of cistern.
"Oh how She resembles her. mur.
INJURED 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 troubled, Would you like mo
to sing to you
And taking her either, she sang him
song about roses.
And the king murmurcd, "Oh, that
voice."
Then he fed, as if struck with fear,
because Lilith's voice and eyes recalled
to him the voice and eyes of Queen Mir
lam.
Lilith went into the garden and found
old Zabulon weeping.
why dost thou weep, old Zabulon?'
'You know the cause. Princess Lilith
l weep because the king wishes to kill
the little child who is the Messiah. "
But, said Lilith, 'if he is really
the Messiah men cannot have the pow
or to kill him. "
God wishes us to help him, replied
Zabulon. princess, you, who are so
good and so compassionate, should warn
the father and mother of this little
child. "
But where shall | find them?''
Question the people of Bethlehem "
but ought | to save one who will
chase my father from this palace, one
by whom | may some day become a
poor prisoner or beggar i'll the streets?'
THAT day is far removed, +" said Fab
ulon, "and the Messiah is now only "a
tiny babe, more helpless even than lit
tie Hozael
But are you sure that he is the
Messiah:' demanded Lilith
Yes, " said Zabulon, because he
was born i'll Bethlehem at the time APP
pointed by the prophets and the wise
men have seen his star. .
He must be very beautiful, although