Middletown transcript., 1897-12-25

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,n said Lililh. 'That
is a clever device" "Then after a
moments reflection, "Could | see
him?n
"WhoP"
''The Messiah"
"In order to see him, one must know
where he is. And il we knew where
to find him, the king would not be OBJ
liged to kill all the other little children
of the town."
'sThat 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" Then suddenly, "But
little Hozael?"
t'Little Hozael," said Zabulon, Wv i'll
die with the others, for be soldiers
will search every house."
eBut am very sure that little Ho-
zael is not the Messiah. How could be
be the Messiah? He is the son OF my
foster sister,"
"Ask your father to spare him." said
Zabulon.
81 dare not" said Lilith. Then she
resumed: ST 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" +"
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: "It is long time since | have
seen Hozael. 1 should like to carry
him to my palace and keep him for day
and a night. The baby is weaned and
has no longer need Of thy care. 1 will
give him dress Of hyacinth and col
lar of pearls" She said nothing to Ze-
honda of what she had learned from
Zabulon, SO afraid was she of the king.
But she noticed that Zebonda's. face
shone with unwonted joy.
"Why are thou so joyousP"
Zebonda hesitated moment, then
replied, 81 am joyous, Princess Lilith,
because you love my son."
sand thy husband-where is he?"
Again Zebonda hesitated and an
swered, "He has gone to gather bis
flocks upon the mountain side."
Noun hid the little Hozael under her
long wells, and Lilith and the good ne
gress returned to the palace just as Ishe
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 sud-
denly Noun, who was preparing some
corn Cruel for the child in the next
room, rushed in crying: "The king
Here comes the kingl"
Lilith had only time to hide HOzael
in large basket and cover him with a
pile Of silks and bright woods before
King Herod entered with slow, b eavy
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 in
bis terrible face. His chin shook SO
with the palsy that his bristly beard
seem to shudder. He said to Lilith,
"Whence comesS thou?"
She replied, "From Jericho" And
she raised toward the king her eyes. as
calm as the water Of cistern.
"Ob, how she resembles herl" muir
INJURED Herod.
At this moment a little cry came
from the basket.
"Will you keep QuietP" said Lilith t
the cat Astaroth, who slept on the rug
Then she said to the king: IN!
father you seem troubled. Would you
like me to sing to you?"
And taking her either, she sang hin
song about roses.
And the king murmured, "Oh, tina
voicep'
Then he fed, as if struck with fear
because Lilith's voice and eyes recalled
to him the voice and eyes Of Queel
Miriam.
Lilith went into the garden aEd
found old Zabulon weeping.
"Why dost thou weep, old ZabulonP'
"You know the cause, Princes
Lilith. 1 weep because the king wish
es to kill the little child who is tn
Messiah"
"But,' said Lilith, "if he is really
the Messiah, men cannot have th
power to kill him."
"God wishes us to help him." replies
Zabulou. Princess, you who are S
good and compassionate, should war
the father and mother of this littl
child"
"But where shall l find them?"
"Qestion the people Of Bethlehem.
"But ought / to save one who wi
chase my father from this palace, ,oneb
whom / may some day become a pool
prisoner or a beggsr in the streetsP"
"That day Is fgr-ssmoved.'' sal
Zabulon, "and the Messiah isnew onl
tiny babe, more helpless even tha
little Hozael.' -
/ sBut are you sure that he is th
Messiah?n demanded Lilitb.
"Yes,n said zabulon, because b
was horn in Bethlehem at the time al
pointed by the prophets and the wis