The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-08-18

MVSaA were too many
kArA~WI, about them and
"MN cD the excitement ana
confusion attend
Mt upon the celebration. interfered.
Il day long the wierd music had
bundled in his ears. He had shared
the feasting, he had watched the
ancing, and every now ana then had
aught a glimpse of the fair daughter
eioa / Beeri as she circled with the other
amsels about the great image, but
be opportunity he wanted most elud-
d him, as though 1t would hold him
aesis ing in doubt and give him time %
Don leigh the step he was about to take.
.RkA circumstances were kind to him in
Y bat they were making it hard for
lava i'm to take the misstep.
'ehoa1 As he saw the people in ecstacy of
heir excitement shout the praises of
beir gods and bring their offerings
nA nd lay them at the feet of the idol,
e had time to think and contrast it
18th the worship Of the true God of
is fathers. The words: Great is
;t;,s he god of the Hittites,' rang in his
noT5 brs-for priests and people chant.
and shouted the words over
md over a~gain-7and he had time to
ecall the words of his father as he
. AjEHad spoken of the God-Jehovah, the
myE$ od of heaven and earth. More than
used nee his heart had smote him.. More
idneI han once he had moved about I'M
hau asily trying to throw off the feeling
d ON depression which came as a result
kiaE conscious violation Of the faith and
practices Of his own people. Over
ty p nd over again he had been troubled
tnsEty the thought of what his parents
1852 ould say But his heart was rebelli-
lroa bus and impatient, He would not
."sef stem to the voices speaking within.
sonask q resolutely thrust aside the prompt
WINNINGS Of his better self and declared
~ Mat he could take the girl without
IL Waking her gods. He could have her
2tnd leave the heathenish practices of
Eker people behind, But have her he
Fould. All, how he quarrelled with
fmself that day. How he stiied and
boxed the better self into subsection.
Once while his host was standing
-. his side and the people in a frenzy
y ere throwing themselves about the
! M tar before the Image, Beeri had ex-
IA, i, aimed, enthusiastically:
IeaJ is not that impressive?"
rem And he had nodded assent. And
aussa eeri following up the point gained,
Ease eked.
slss Have you anything to compare
Tba,H 18th 1t In your Worship"
To which he had replied: Nothing"
MIR kn a shame-faced sort of way, and
IivsE linking that after all the religion of
LIS fathers was too narrow and I'M
Gliding and simple.
And late In the afternoon Just as the
n was setting the music had stopped
ID a hush had fallen upon the gath.
'rs. ing and then, obeying the example
the priests, all the people had
roWn themselves PROSTATE with
cir faces towards the image. He
pa remained standing wher he felt a
light pressure on his arm and look
6 down beheld the form of Judith
T anding there and motioning him to
VI IS knees.
Come" she whispered, almost
ernly, do not let the wrath OF the
bds descend upon thee"
And without stopping to think and
Gliding to her pressure and example
mad bowed with the others. But
dld not care so much, because his
bought was Of her, and he felt con.
nted because she was at his side.
I, when he arose to his feet she
Id slipped away and was nowhere
: be seen.
IL Moved by an Impulse to search her
~ IT II possible, Esau started forward
ld almost ran into a party coming
the opposite direction.
Hello, have been looking for
Pu,' exclaimed the man.
Esau looked up and saw Elon stand.
z before him, and the two girls.
w Rdith and Bashemath, near him.
And | was just startir out to look
YOU he replied, pointing to the
Us.
- Ihey looked up inquiringly, and Esau
ntinued:
Where is Beeri? | have been try
all day to get a chance to talk with
Pc But he added, what did you
mt to see me for?" I
We leave tonight, and | wanted tot
vite you to return home. viii yol
?'
IL Thou art kind. indeed, but ! must
~ returning TO my own people in the
" prning. for ere this ] fear they are
ncerned over my long absence"
" relieved look came into the face
judith. and she whispered some
y Ing to her friend, while Esau and
!. pn continued In conversation. 1
~ nat night after Chief Elon and his /;
p2wers had taken their departure, I
au found the opportunity 10 ask /