The Holly chieftain., 1900-04-06
-will he not see me, a

z
say farewell!"
There 10. in truth, some danger OF
. hght," the young man answered,
Tor the times are troublous. and .
mighty man like Jephthah must be
ever ready; but his name 10 great and
terrible, and in going forth to put
down the enemy that hath so suddenly
arisen. I think the report that thy IA
ther Jephthah leadeth the host will
be enough, and that there will be no
bloodshed. But, maiden" he added.
more gently, seeing that her face
looked still affrighted. II pray thee
have NO fear for the safety OF thy IA
ther. will even guard his body with
my own" And. as he spoke, he looked
on her and loved her.
Namarah met the look. and this.
trouble Of her face grew deeper. She
felt the disturbing power OF that quiet
gar, but all her thought was for her
father.
Maiden the young man mur-
INJURED. in voice that had a softened
cadence. already, even today. there
hath been surprise attack, and your
father hath been In danger; but It
please God that should be near him,
to protect him. as could, and for this
cause Jephthah, thy father. hath
chosen me to be his armor bearer, SO
that in future my place Will be beside
him; and I say but the truth when l
tell thee that will protect his life
with my own
But, truly" said Namarah, thou
art very noble, and life to thee is even
also dear
Life would be dear to me no longer
maiden" he made answer. If l should
look upon thy face to tell thee that
lived and Jephthah, thy father. was
slain"
This time. when he spake the words
THY father" it seemed unto the maid
en- that his voice dwelt upon them by
the space of half second. The idea
glanced through her agitated mind
like lightning, but afterward she be-
thought herself of it. But now the
young man spake again. and reminded
her of his errand.
my lord Jephthah hath sent thee
his blessing through me-" he said, land
he prays thee to be Of good cheer. and
to dread no danger for him."
Il cannot choose but dread" the
maiden answered, as she walked be-
side him to the house, and led the way
to where her fathers armor lay.
NAY. but surely" said the young
man, full humbly, thou wilt be a
little comforted because of the promise
have given thee"
'Ay," said Namarah, 1t doth COM
fort me much, and thank thee from
my very heart; but the thought of bat
tie ever makes me tremble. although
am soldiers child. pray thee,
give my loving greeting to my father,
and tell him go at once to pray the
God Of Israel for his safety"
Maiden. also would be thought of
in thy prayers" the young man said.
half doubtingly; and she answered.:
II will pray for thee also, soldier.
Tell me thy name"
And he said:
my name Is Adina."
Then once more he looked at her,
and again his strange look troubled
her; and as she stood and watched the
goodly figure in its shining armor
down the streets of Mizpeh, a wonder
got hold upon her that for the first
time at the thought of battle her fears
were not wholly for her father.
Long time she. knelt and prayed, her
maidens waiting without; and all her
struggle was to recover the lost feeling
that her father was her all in all, but
another image rose up, over and over
again, and would not be forgotten. At
last she gave 1t up, and murmured
half aloud:
BLESS him, even the young man
Adina. also, o my God: and bring them
back in safety together"
Before the close of day, the streets
OF Mizpeh rang to the gladdening
sound of the victorious return of troops
from battle. Namarah, high up in her
chamber, watched them with breath
less delight, as she saw the body OF
soldiers coming down the street. and
soon she was able to make out the
majestic figure of her father, at their
head. She was full sure of that, but
still, she bent from her window eager
ly, and strained her vision to see more.
Suddenly, her breath was drawn in
pantipgly, and once more the rose was
on her cheek. Behind her father she
had recognized the tall figure OF Adina.
and her eyes continually strayed from
one to the other, as the setting sun
FURNISHED the curls of his golden hair
as the young man rode his splendid