Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1906-06-21

tivities are Just at their height, and
thou dost know that to send the guests
homo unsatisfied Is to incur their dis
pleasure. And as for me there are
many things have in mind 20 do and
talk about ere am willing to see my
friends departs" And saying which
he had turned and went of In the d.
rection of group of his friends who
were even then motionlng him 20
hasten and share in the fun the Lead
ing spirit of the group had proposed.
And Pharaoh had watched him 20
with a lighter heart and stronger
assurance. And calling his attendant
he ordered the wine and drank with
tians, and to the future favor and
blessing Of his son. So cheerful did
his spirits grow that Ire forgot about
the matters which had so greatly dis
tressed him-about the midnight hour
and the judgment of the Hebrew God
and as he threw himself into the
gayeties that were now at their height,
the time sped unnoticed.
"Once more let us drink to the
gods of Egypt" he cried. ITO the
great god that smiles upon the land
by day and that plans greater glories
for his favored ones by night"
A great shout greeted the kings
proposal, and again the wine flowed
freely.
"And here's to the kings son." shout
ed voice as the young man, the cen,
ter of an animated group, was seen
approaching.
| Pharaoh smiled approvingly, and
watched the young man with glowing
pride. What a picture of health and
beauty he was With all of life be
fore him, what opportunities! What
possibilities!
So Pharaoh thought and we'll he
might, for the young man was well
favored in form and face, and bore
himself with grace and dignity. AS the
father watched him advancing across
the marble floor Of the great room, his
heart leaped with pride and triumph,
and he muttered to himself:
where is Moses boasted Judgment
The gods Of the Egyptians still reign
and the God Of the Hebrews is no god
at all"
Suddenly, and even while the words
were warm upon his lips, he saw q
deadly pallor overspread the face Of
his boy. He saw him lift his hands
high above his head, while an agony
Of fear distorted his features, and with
one piercing cry, he fell forward upon
his face
Paralyzed by the sight and the awful
fear which seized him, the king looked
upon the scene with eyes which almost
started from their sockets. His hands
gripped the ivory arms of his throne
with an intensity which almost crushed
the delicately-carved ornaments. The
fathers eyes never moved from the OBJ.
ject lying there PROSTATE upon the
ground, and he did not see that here
and there throughout the vast room
there were others falling to the ground
He did not seem to hear the cries OF
terror and anguish all about him. He
saw but one thing, and that was the
form of his son lying upon the floor
Could it be possible that he who was
so full Of life and animation an In
slant before was lying there now still
In death?
mo! No! MOI" he cried ut can,
not be; 1t shall not be-" And leaping
from his seat with fierce cry of de-
spair and grief, he hurried towards
him. But as he rushed blindly for.
ward, he stumbled and fell over anoth.
err PROSTATE form, and looking around
he beheld a sight which CONCEALED his
very blood and made him tremble.
for on every hand the dead were lying.
while the living, panic-stricken and
Mortified, rushed wildly about and
filled the air with their cries. 1t was
a sight to make the strongest man
faint and falter. The king paused for
but an instant and then throwing him.
self at the side of his dead son he
called upon him to speak to him, to
say just one word, and when there
came no response he staggered to his
feet wringing his hands and calling
upon his gods to help. and cursing
Moses and his God with awful oaths.
At that moment a messenger hastily
entered.
Death! Death! Death, rules every.
where!" he cried in high-pitched.
horror-stricken voice. Egypt has
been stricken. Haste o Pharaoh, send
Moses and his people forth, or we be
all dead men!"
Helpless, hopeless, Pharaoh looked
about him Could he do 1t? The last
time the Hebrew leader had appeared
before him he had told him he would
see his face no more, and that IL he
did 1t would mean death to Moses and
now instead death had stricken his
own home and the home Of every Egyp-
tian throughout the land. But even
while he hesitated, the living among
the dead about him cried mistakenly
that Moses be called and at last he
yielded.
Between the rows OF dead Moses
passed up the palace hall and came and
stood before the great Pharaoh, who