Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-09-29

his wife a bit anxiously, for he feared
her jealousy for Leahs rights might
cause trouble. He coveted the serV-
ices of Jacob and was willing to sac
rifce the custom of his people for
the sake of maxi a bargain with
him.
His wife made no response, and
nothing more was said on the sub
ject, but her mind was busy with
plan to help her daughter Leah
The next day as Rachel was pre-
pairing to drive the flocks to the well,
as usual her mother said
Leah will water the sheep tonight,
for l want you to help me with the
work at home"
Rachel's face fell.
But why can't go with the sheep,
mother" she asked. petulantly.
Leah can help you better than L."
yes, but it is time you were learn
ing to do more. Leah shall CO."
And that settled it, and Rachel
watched her sister depart with anx-
ious heart. Would Jacob be there?
vi COuA &c AC WOuAu III hC hOl
so whispered to her as he had left
in the morning to go with ner father
and brothers 10 the fields? She won
dered whether he would miss her.
Would he tell her sister all the in
teresting stories he had related to her?
Would he be as gentle and kind to
Leah as he had been to her?
hnf 1nx IN .,th lou
FASTENED from the fields when the
days work was done and went towards
the well.
Surely the Lord is good to have
brought me to this place. he ex-
claimed to himself as he stopped and
picked some of the lilies growing in
profusion all over the fields. These
he thought
He found the other shepherds gath
cred at the well, and they greeted him
good-naturedly. They had become
used to his visits hither, and had
chafed him not little on his devo-
ton to his pretty cousin. Tonight,
noticing the flowers In his hand, they
asked him If he had brought them
to feed the lambs
Not enough for a taste" said one.
NO" responded another. but he can
give them all smell around, and make
them believe they are still roaming the
fields" They all laughed at this sally.
and Jacob, too happy to take offense at
the crude joking. replied:
81. 49, of -
maidens. And here she comes" he add
ed as he lifted his eyes and saw Laban's
sheep coming and a girlish figure in
their midst
He halloed TO her and then started
towards her, waving the blossoms above
his head and shouting:
See what have gathered for thee"
Suddenly he stopped. That was not
Rachel. 1t was Leah. Disappointment
and anxiety seized him. He dropped the
flowers in the grass, the flowers he had
expected to see smile forth from
Rachel's dark tresses. and then. eager TO
know why she had not come. he fastened
to Leah's side and asked
Where is Rachel? Is she il1?'
hOtSb tue NiSdB III his
face. II sent a pang TO her heart. for
since the coming Of her cousin there had
grown up in her heyrt a tender regard for
him. and she had watched with jealous
eye the intimacy which had sprung up
between him and Rachel
Rachel is at home She could not
come"
But why?' Jacob asked. shortly
searching the face of the woman before
him.
Mother would not let her" she re-
s2on.led. in a confused sort of way. and
then added hastily, But we are vast
ing time. The sheep must be watered."
AS Leah moved towards the we'll
whittier the sheep had eagerly gone and
where they were now bleaung inpatient
ly Jacob was tempted to turn away and
leave her 10 water the sheep alone. but
getting the better Of his Miniature he
followed and silently dipped the water
from the we'll for her And while she
was busy giving TO the thirsty animals.
be watched her. He could not help
making comparisons between her and
her sister. the contrasts were so great.