The Red Cloud chief., 1900-03-30
CHAPTER VI-OContinued.l

while all along the people cheered and
ihouted as they passed, behold at Jeph-
ihah's side, in front of them, there rode
he young man Adina, and not behind.
rs was his wont. And by this token
Ill the people knew that he had VOL
glory for himself in battle, and that
Iephthah strove thus to show the favor
which he had toward him, and with
he noise of their shoutings. Long
live Jephthah, the Gileadite!" were
mingled cries of Long live Adina!"
And as these sounds came wen to
the ears Of Namarah, behold the flush
apon her cheeks grew deeper and her
tyes yet more glorious. And ever the
soldiery pressed onward, followed by
the shouts of triumph from the crowd.
And Jephthah, the mighty captain,
'ode a night-black charger, while that
If Adina was white as milk. Both
men were clad in cleaning armor, on
which the rays of the setting sun made
blazes of vivid fire, gliding the silver
Of the old mans beard, and FURNISH
,ng the gold of Adina's thick curls,
which seemed a part of his shining
helmet. And ever, as they rode, the
eyes Of both were turned toward the
house Of J%ephthah, for Jephthah had
vowed a vow unto the Lord, and had
said: IF Thou shalt without fail de-
liver the children of Ammon into my
hands. then 1t shall be that whatsoever
rometh forth of the doors of my house
10 meet me, when | return in peace
from the children of Ammon, shall
surely be the Lords, and | will offer it
mp for a burnt Offering" And he
ooked to see what it should be.
But the young la Adina, who knew
not of Jephthah's vow and had said
naught of the tidings sent to Mama
rah by the carrier bird-that being a
secret between the maiden and himself
knew that Namarah would be pre-
pared for their coming, and rightly
thought that she would come to meet
hem.
And now, as they began to come nigh
70 the house, behold, the great doors
we're thrown open, and forth there
came the maiden Namarah, clad all in
white and gold, and after her her maid
ems, with timbrels and dances. But
Namarah came first, with her head
erect and all her face made glorious
with Joy. The childish timidity she
was wont to show had vanished now,
and she faced the band Of soldiery a
royal princess in her bearing. She
selt herself a queen, indeed, for happy
owe had crowned her.
And as she came, behold the two
men who were at the head of the great
host drew rein and suddenly checked
their horses, and all the soldiery halt
ed. All eyes were on the beauteous
face Of the majestic maiden, hers only
seeing the faces of the two men who
led the host.
Her gaze sought first the face OF
Adina, with a treacherous fealty which
she could not control, and as theii
looks met thus, behold the joyousness
Of his heart CLEANED forth into his
eyes, which met hers. with a look that
thrilled her soul with rapture. For
a moment she was blinded with &C.
stasy, and saw naught before her bu'
light, supreme, bewildering; and then
with the reflection of that light upon
her face, she turned her raptured gaze
upon her father, and suddenly the
great light became a great darkness
which likewise cast its reflection upor
her; for the face of J%ephthah her faith
err was as the face of a man in morta
throes, and behold the hand that hell
the bride shook and fell, and his bod.
swerved in the saddle, so that he would
have fallen but that the young maj
Adina, seeing the maiden's sudder
change of c~ountenance had looked to
ward its source, and was just in tim
to put out his hand and stay Jephthal
in his place.
Then Adina dismounted and ran t
Jephthah's side, and while the nader
Namarah herself laid hold on tn
bride of his horse, the young man as
sisted him to the ground, and witt
Namarah's help led him into the house
The eyes which had but lately locke
such Joy into each other, exchanges
now looks of pain and horror, for l
was quickly passed from mouth I
mouth that the great captain had bee
seized with mortal illness, and that tn
10Y of his victorious return and meet
ing with his daughter was like to cos
him his life.
But Jephthah, when he heard thes
words, denied and said:
ut Is not as we say, o men OF Israel
nevertheless the hand Of the Lord
heavy upon me this day. Cause to 6
out from me all save the maiden Ma
marah and the young man Adina."
And when they had so done, behol
Jephthah rent his clothes, and said;
ALAS! my daughter; thou has
brought me very low; and thou al
one of them that trouble me; for
have opened my mouth unto The Lor'
and | cannot go back"
And Namarah said unto him:
my father, If thou hast opened IN
mouth unto the Lord, do to me accor'
Ing to that which hath proceeded on
of thy mouth; forasmuch as the Lon
hath taken vengeance for thee OF thu