Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-01-03

Though so desperate an expedient Il
yet offered some hope. and the parents
talked and planned late into the night.
Long before the first streaks OF gray
had made their appearance in the east.
ern sky Amram was down by the river
pulling the rushes for the ark. He
found his wife and Miriam impatiently
waiting his return
There, Mrs. NOAH" he exclaimed
half playfully. as he tossed the grea,
bundle upon the floor. now build your
ark"
1t is right here. mother. where the
princess comes" said Miriam. when
she had piloted her mother to the
river side. With lingering tenderness
the mother placed the ark in the water
amidst the rushes. She watched the
staunch little craft ride bravely on the
quiet water, and then when she dare
linger no longer she sped homeward.
fearing 10 look back lest her heart
should fail her.
AT last she heard hurrying footsteps
and sprang To the door.
Mother" gasped Miriam. Princess
-has-baby, Wants-nurse,"
With fervid prayer of thanksgiving
the mother sped alter her daughter as
she fled back TO the river, and as she
drew near the little group gathered
about her baby she strove hard TO calm
herself. AS in a dream she heard
Pharaoh's daughter say TO her:
Take this child away and nurse 1t
for me. and | will give thee thy
wages"
She felt she must scream for very
JOY Her heart beat unanimously and
her hands trembled as she bent over
her darling and took him in her arms.
He cuddled close and hushed his plain
tive wail-the baby cry that had gone
straight TO the princess heart She
was half afraid To- have him so demon
strative. All, foolish mother. did she
think she or her baby could act part ?
She glanced furtively into the princess
face. smile of rare sweetness and
tenderness rested there. and in the
eyes shone a half-amused light
Il am sure he will be good with
YOU" she said. a suspicion of playful
a
boy. Here-clasping her golden chain
and signet about his neck-he shall
wear this token that he belongs to
me-"
That afternoon as the mother sat
with her babe in her arms before the
open door. through which the sunlight
came streaming. she could hardly rea-
lie 1t was not all a dream The hugs
she gave her darling to make sure il
was really he who nestled in her arms
caused the little fellow TO squirm.
Won't papa be surprised" said
Miriam
Yes, child" the mother responded.
with smile. but wish he knew
now she added and her face sobered
at the thought OF what his suspense
and anxiety must be. And while Am
| rams wife and daughter thought OF
hm. and impatiently awaited his home
! coming. he in turn thought of them.
| and wondered what fortune had fol-
| lowed the little ark AS his hands
worked, his heart prayed, and over and
over again he cried:
Lord. Thou alone canst help"
1 AioS 'ApN OOO Alltt dlItduY
reprovingly arose the question. as he
remembered the past three months.
and Will He not continue to protect
the child?' and quiet confidence stole
into his heart. Worry was not faith.
he would leave it all with God
So absorbed was he in this inner
! contemplation. that he was oblivious
TO all that was going on about him
! That's the man" he heard some one
say, and looking up with start he
saw the Egyptian whom he had en-
eountered the night before pointing TO-
wards him
All right" the overseer responded.
gruffly, take him along"
The struggle of the morning and the
victory of faith Quoted the first ris-
ings of fear. and Amram heard the
words without a tremor He laid down
his tools as ordered without word
and followed the Egyptian so calmly
| That the latter marveled Walking
along the Nile they soon neared the
| point where the ark was to have been
concealed that day and Amram found
his eyes searching anxionsly among
the reeds. All at once a little dark OBJ
ject caught his eye His heart almost
stood still. and in spite OF himself. he
paused and the muscles OF his face
twitched nervously. The Egyptian de.
tected the look and, following the d.
rection of Abrams eyes. he saw what
had at first escaped his notice.
1t was the little ark.
The Egyptian sprsng forward. and
Amram, with a grOan OF apprehension.
followed. But to his intense relief they
found the ark empty.
AS they turned from the river path
and his home came into view. Amram
saw Miriam dance out OF the doorway
and her sweet voice 6oated 30 him on
The fresh afternoon breeze. Never
| seemed vision or song rnore heavent,,