The Holly chieftain., 1900-04-13

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Hast thou tested themf, he asked
And will they, indeed. bear tidings to
thee from ATARI"
'Truly.I cannot tell thee of mine own
knowledge" she made answer: but l
know It is their nature, and feel as
sured that If one of my birds should be
taken far away 1t would return to me-"
Maiden, l we'll believe it." he re-
piled. And at these words. SO gently
spoken, 10, there came into her cheeks
again that treacherous rose-color
which he alone, or the mention of him,
had power to summon there.
"Dost thou believe it," she made an
swer. Then, truly, thou mayst test 1t
some day. When next thou goest on a
journey, thou mayst take one of my
white doves with thee, and we shall
see whether or not 1t will return"
$50 belt, maiden he replied. There
is even now messa ge would fain
send thee by 1t, had the courage"
And as he spoke he turned and left
her, before the wonderment his words
had reused found voice in speech.
What message?" she murmured
again and again, speaking in hushed
silence to her own heart as she wan
dered alone about the garden. or sat
with her maidens at her embroidery.
They were engaged upon the task Of
working a rich vestment for the high
priest, and no one had so fine an eye
for the blending Of colors. nor such
deft fingers in handling the brilliant
|, silk and golden threads with which
they wrought. as Namarah. But as she
were preoccupied, SO that the silks got
tangled in her fingers, and the colors
were mismatched In clumsy. manner
that none had ever seen In Namarah
before.
That evening. when her father Jeph-
thah came home. there was look up
on his face that mrde Namarah
anxious. When their evening meal was
ended, he called the maiden to him,
and fondling her with more than his
usual lovingness, he revealed to her the
care he had upon his mind.
II have not told thee of 1t, child
he said, because that 1 refrained to
cause tlee uneasiness until the time
were come; but Of late there hath been
great trouble and strife in the land OF
Israel. and the children of Ammon
have made war against it. And in con-
sequence of this strange thing has
happened unto me, for, behold, the ell
ders Of Gilead have come to fetch me
out of the land Of Tob that l may be
their captain to fight against the child
rem Of Ammon. But spake unto them
and said: Did ye not hate me and ex-
pei me out OF my fathers house, and
why are ye come unto me now when
ye are in distress?' And the elders
Of Israel said unto me: Therefore
we turn again unto thee now, that thou
mayst go with US and fight against the
children of Ammon, and be our head
over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
Then said unto the elders of Gilead:
III ye bring me home again to fight
against the children of Ammon, and
the Lord delivers them before me, shall
l be your headT And behold they an
swered: "The Lord be witness between
US. II we do not according to thy
Words"
Now, as he spake. the maiden Ma
marah had felt her heart within her
smitten with great and mighty fear.
Go not. my father" she pleaded,
hanging about his neck and hiding her
face against him. "Did not the elders
of Gilsad thrust thee out and disown
thee? Why goest thou then to fight
against their enemies?"
But Jephthah answered and said:
These be the enemies of the Lord,
my daughter, who have lifted up their
hands against His people Israel, and I
must even go forth to meet them,
strong in the power of his might"
But Namarah only wept and clung
to him. and said:
Let my words find favor with thee,
o my father, and go not forth to battle,
lest thou lose thy life, and be left
alone and comfortless.'
II would fain have thee take my,tid-
ings more submissively, my little one"
made answer Jephthah, as he stroked
the masses Of her unbound hair. "Thy
father Is soldier. and thou art SOL
diers child; and would have thee
grid my armor on. and wish me God
speed against the enemies OF the Lord
and His people. trusting In His power,
to bring me back. triumphant and VIC