Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-06-01

true and loving wife. O. thou hast -
TO me ! t1us and loving daughter.
Whether this Glory above III glosass
may b destined Tor thee or not, gflsvs
not thy fathers heart BY refusing 70 b.
wed. % that b may re- thee with thy
children about thee befors he disths
and slsspsth with his fathers" /
Namarah made no answer, but dot
futtsring breath grew calm and though
she spaks no word to signify her Ac-
quiescence In his desires. yet neither
did she gainsay him any more. . thjng
whereat her father marvaled. How
ever, no spake not tho thought thak
was N his mind. but was thankful y
the silence Of his heart.
After these weak and faint-hearted
words. the brave spirit OF the girl came
to her again. and she went about her
household duties, and particularly
the preparations for her t.
Tiers going forth to war
with courage even greater than her
won't Her father she loaded morS
and more with endearments and cares
ses. but she ever avoided speech about
his coming dangers In the held. except
that once she said to him suddenly.
and with her head bent low over her
work: {. 35a5 ~ Fl ls
will It be that thou takest with
thee thine armor-bearer--the young
man, Adina?"
And Jephthah answered:
'Ay." .ss ii 1. &
Then" said she, with her head still
benz, lit is we'll done, for truly he hath
said to me that he would shield thy
body with his own. But SO not into
danger, my father. Be careful OF biz
life and Of thine own. - .5@
Thou speakest unwisely. maiden.
and not as soldiers daughter. Thou
knowest that in. battle a brave man
must not shun the place of danger, but
If he trusteth in the Lord no harm
can hurt him. Adina also is q man
that feareth God, and therefore will W
trust to be delivered and brought home
in safety"
Amen the maiden said, full rev-
erently, and bent her head more lowly
yet. as one who prayeth.
The full moon rose DER Jephthah's
garden on the eve OF his going forth
to battle, and Jephthah's daughter
stood alone and held her heart to lis
ten. Her white robe futtered In the
cool air of evening and chung about her
slender limbs; and standing there, her
pale face settled into a mute repose.
she looked like fair white statue.
clad in a wind-blown raiment. No
sound disturbed the stiffness Of the
night, except the cooling Of the doves In
their house close by. But, after lonls
waiting, there mingled with this the
tread OF approaching footsteps. The
folds Of her white gown tremblsd on
her breast, as II the heart beneath
them fluttered. Nearer came the foot
steps through the trees, beneath the
overhanging vines, until the moonlight
revealed the tall form and noble fea-
lures OF the young man Adina. Il II
SIS It thou, o maiden?" he asked.
stopping a few PAGES from her. The
God of Israel bless thee that thou
heardest my prayer, and hast let me
speak to thee, before go to battle.
Hast thou no thought. Namarah. Of
the words have come to speak?"
The doves cooed and gabbled with
their little muttering sounds, but Ma.
marah answered not. They stood :
pace or two apart-the maiden Mama
rah and the young man Adina- but
still the silence was unbroken.
Hast thou even brought me here to
break my heart. Namarah?" the young
man said. II love thee maiden, and
unless thou'lt love me in return. the
God of Israel grant that may fall in
battle, for my life is naught to me
without thee"
Ito be continued.)