The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-05-20


denounce the sins Of the place. Bet
ter be on good terms of friendship with
the people, he thought, than gain their
enmity by preaching.
But the more Lot demurred, the
more determined seemed his friend
that he should go with him. and at
last Lot consented.
Wild was the fun, long was the feast
ing and deep vas the drinking, and
now the dancing girls began their sim
uous. sensuous dancing, while the
coarse. profane testing of the young
men and their boisterous laughter filed
the air.
Lot. infamed by the wine. and half
insensible to the revolving scene before
him. followed the movements Of the
dancers. Something familiar In the
form and face of one of the damsels
caught his eye as she fitted past The
next instant she was lost to view In
the maze of the dance, but that glance
was enough. He had seen his daugh-
ter. He was sober In an instant. and
revulslon of feeling overcame him.
In confusion and shame he withdrew.
unobserved by his friend and the rest
of the gay company and returned to
the city.
Who can know the troubled thoughts
that filed that fathers heart? Who
can understand the remorse he felt as
he began to realize that the wickedness
of Sodom was laying its cursed hand
upon his home? Only those who have
seen their loved ones going headlong
into the pit of hell. and have realized
that they have opened the way OF
temptation to them. He had prided
himself on his own virtues, and he had
fattered himself that he could dwell
In Sodom and keep his family from Its
corrupting influences. but he was only
beginning to learn that day what fear.
full cost he was paying for its fleeting
riches, honor and power.
Adah, the daughter whom Lot had
seen In the giddy whirl OF the sensuous
dance, did not return home that night.
and the next morning the household
was thrown into CONSERVATION, and
the servants dispatched in search or
her.
The older sister, the bride-tobe was
impatient over the difficulty, and petu-
lantly exclaimed that she supposed IL
would spoil the plans Of the day. The
mother, who was thoroughly given up
to the gay life of the city. and who
had encouraged her daughter in her
liam ha m a
matter with careless shake of her
head. and the remark: "Oh, she Is all
right and will come home when she
gets ready" The younger girls, filled
with happy anticipations Of the gay
festivities of the day. wondered how
she could stay away and miss such
rare good time. But Lot, with un-
easy conscience and anxious forebod-
ings filling his heart. waited.
The pomp and ceremony are over.
the feasting ended, and the bridal pro-
cession is forming for the triumphal
return to the palace. The waiting
crowds in gay dress and gayer spirits
shower flowers in the pathway of the
bridal couple as they appear, and with
music and dancing and much merry
talking and laughter the procession
moves forward
| Lot and his wife watch the brilliant
scene. and the mother, In the ecstasy
of her pride and JOY, waves her good
bys and exclaims to Lot:
This Is a proud day for us. How
glad we should be that we came to
Sodom!"
Scarcely had her words died away
when there appeared, coming down the
street past the gay procession. silent
group bearing some heavy burden be-
tween them. Their mantels are thrown
over their heads, their garments are
rent and there Is dust sprinkled upon
their heads. bearing silent witness that
they are bearers of the dead.
Look" exclaimed Lot, death APP
pears amidst the gay scenes Of life!
Who can 1t be-"
"Oh. never mind! Why should we
care?" petulantly replied Mrs. Lot In
an unsympathetic tone. ut Is a shame
that they could not have taken some
other route and not have passed the
bridal procession"
The dead draws nearer The still
form under the blanket Is before the
door. Lot and his wife watch with
growing tenseness. Curiosity gives
place to apprehension!
The silent bearers pause! They turn
in towards the, house! They enter the
doors, through which but few min
utes before the gay, brilliant company
had passed!
"Adah!" shrieked the mother, as she
threw herself by the side OF the cold.
stiff form.
"Adah!" groaned the unhappy father,
for 1t was she.
The pleasures Of Sodom, her tri-
umphs and glory, giving place to
death. One daughter welded to the
prince OF Sodom. Yes, but one daugh-
ter victim of the wickedness Of Sod
ON! All! Lot, dwelling In the tents of
wickedness does not pay! All! Chris
tian. dwelling In the tents Of wicked
ness does not pay! Flee, Lot from
Sodom! Take wife, children and goods
and turn back to the promised land
OF Gods presence and blessing.
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