The pioneer express., 1903-08-07

&, + 4 80
for It was even Z that ssent unto the
maiden -tidings. by which she gained
the knowledge Of our approach
"But how sendest thou these tid-
ings." said Jephthah. ..seeing that
gave thee no leave to take q mes
senger?"
Therein the fault was nine" Ma
marah said, "if fault there be-for,
were it not the will Of God, naught
that was done or Is to be were pos
sible-seeing that gave unto Adina
one of my carrier birds, to send me
word Of thy triumph and return, and
the bird, in truth, brought me the It'd
ings this morning. Seest, thou not
then therefore, oh, my father, that this
thing that is befallen. us, was to be-"
Then Jephthah bowed his head upon
his hands and uttered mighty groan.
"How sayst thou, my daughter, that
we shall be delivered? Knowest thou
not, that according to my VOW thou
must be offered burnt sacrifice?"
AS he spake these awful words, the
maiden's face grew whittier still, though
the courage of her eyes faltered not.
and through all the body of the young
man Adina there ran a great shiver
that again made to shake his armo1
that it ratified and sounded, seeing
which, Namarah rose and ran to him.
fearing lest he might even fall to the
ground, SO greatly he tottered and
trembled. Taking him by the hand.
she led him to place beside her faith
>er and gently pressed him to seat,
while she herself sank back upon her
knees before them, holding hand of
each. and as she lifted up her head and
looked at them;,.it seemed unto the
father and the lover both that her face
was as the face of an angel.
: ,"Hearken to me, o thou to whom my
soul best loveth," said Namarah, "for
there is voice within me that SEEM
eth to. me to speak, and that most
dread and sacred voice saith to me
what it shall comfort thee to hear. I
will deliver thee the voice crieth con-
tinually, and shall we not believe this
Heavenly voice? Let us, therefore; be
comforted, and take courage, and pray
continually for ;deliverance from the
terror wherewith we are affirighted:
For what is it that thy soul feareth O
Adina, and o Jephthah my father? Is
it not even the thought of parting?"
AS Namarah spake these words, the
spirits of the men who listened to her
grew suddenly more calm, and the
faith and courage with which her own
some sense impaired to them, so that
Jephthah turned unto Adina, and spake
unto him in these words:
Let not thy soul within thee hate
me, o Adina, for my heart is sad even
unto death. Forgive me the harm that
have done unto thee through ignor-
ance, and let it be with us both even
according unto the words that this
maiden hath spoken, and let us take
comfort and have hope. Let us together
pray continually for the deliverance
that she feeleth to be in store for us"
And Adina answered, and said:
''It shall be as thou sayest, Jeph.
thah, and the God of power hear our
prayers.
Then Jephthah caused him that he
knelt in front of him, at the side OF
the maiden Namarah, and as they
rested so, Jephthah lifted up his hands,
and blessed them. And as their heada
were bowed together, the short COLDER
curls of the man beside the long dark
tresses of the maiden, Jephthah rose
and softly left them; and when they
lifted up their heads, behold they were
alone.
ITO be continued.)