The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-08-19

6RRyR about them and
49, Cd eexcitementan0
confusion attend
ant upon the celebration interfered.
All day long the wierd music had
sounded In his ears. He had shared
In the feasting; he had watched the
dancing. and every now and then had
caught glimpse of the fair daughter
OF Beeri as she circled with the other
damsels about the great image. but
the opportunity he wanted most elud-
ed him, as though 1t would hold him
long in doubt end give him time %
weigh the step he was about to take.
Circumstances were kind to him In
that they were making 1t hard for
him to take the misstep.
AS he saw the people in ecstacy of
their excitement shout the praises of
their gods and bring their offerings
and lay them at the feet of the idol.
he had time to think and contrast 1t
with the worship OF the true God OF
his fathers. The words: Great Is
the god of the Hittites," rang in his
ears-for priests and people chant
ed and shouted the words over
and over again-and he had time to
recall the words of his father as he
had spoken of the God-Jehovah. the
God of heaven and earth. More than
once his heart had smote him. More
than once he had moved about un-
easily trying to throw off the feeling
| NJ xx,hf oh
of conscious violation Of the faith and
practices Of his own people. Over
and over again he had been troubled
by the thought of what his parents
would say. But his heart was rebelli-
| GUS and impatient. He would not
listen to the voices speaking within.
He resolutely thrust aside the prompt
ings Of his better self and declared
| that he could take the girl without
taking her gods. He could have her
and leave the heathenish practices of
her people behind But have her he
would. All. how he quarrelled with
himself that day, How he stifed and
choked the better self into subsection.
Once while his host was standing
at his side and the people in frenzy
were throwing themselves about the
altar before the Image, Beeri had ex-
claimed, enthusiastically:
is not that impressive?"
And he had nodded assent. And
Beeri following up the point gained,
asked:
Have you anything to compare
with 1t in your Worship"
To which he had replied Nothing"
In shame-faced sort of way, and
thinking that after all the religion OF
his fathers was too narrow and I'M
yielding and simple.
And late in the afternoon just as the
sun was setting the music had stopped
and hush had fallen upon the gath.
ering and then, obeying the example
Of the priests. all the people had
thrown themselves PROSTATE with
their faces towards the image. He
had remained standing when helfelt a
slight pressure ON his arm and look
ing down beheld the form Of Judith
standing there and motioning him to
his knees.
Come" she whispered, almost
sternly, do not let the wrath OF the
gods descend upon, thee"
And without stopping to think and
yielding to her pressure and example
he had bowed with the others. But
he did not care 30 much, because his
thought was of her, and he felt con-
tented because she was at his side.
but when he arose to his feet she
had slipped away and was nowhere
to be seen.
Moved by an Impulse to search her
out II possible. Esau started forward
and almost ran into a party coming
In the opposite direction.
Hello, have been looking for(
you," exclaimed the man.
Esau looked up and Saw Elon stand
Ing before him, and the two girls.
Judith and Bashemath, near him.
And was just startiny out to look
for YOU" he replied. pointing to the
girls.
They looked up inquiringly, and Esau
continued:
Where Is Beeri? have been try
ing all day to get chance to talk with
him. But he added, what did you
want to see me fort"
I'VE leave tonight, and wanted to
invite you to return home. VIII you
go?"
Thou art kind, indeed. but must
be returning to my own people in the