Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-05-09

with some heat, nettled by the incredu.
| lous smile which played over Delilah's
handsome face, for just the other
/ day at GAIA when a company OF
picked men, the bravest of the Philis-
| tine army, lay in wait for him expect
! ing certainly to kill him, he arose in
| the night and carried off not only the
great massive iron gates of the city
| but the posts thereof as well, and the
next day they were found at the very
top of the hill that is before Hebron
Surely, he must be wonder" De
lilah exclaimed, with growing admira-
ton, II should like to see this mighty
man-and | WILL" she added with de-
cision after a moments pause.
Samson had travelled far that day,
and as he rested from the heat of the
| day under the shade Of an olive tree
| by the brink of the trickling stream
he fell asleep. How long he slept he
knew not, save that as he awoke with
a start he noted that the sun was
nearing the western horizon and the
heat in the atmosphere had given
place to that cool current of air which
always came down into the valley as
the evening approached He arose
| slowly and stretched his great form,
and then, throwing his mantle over
his broad shoulders and adjusting the
| girdle at the loins, he prepared to
| press forward. He had scarcely taken
a dozen steps when he became aware
that pair of eyes were observing
him closely from behind a bit of
shrubbery. He stopped short. Was
this lurking enemy? Was this some
cowardly Philstine seeking to take
him unawares and to kill him? His
brow darkened and his eyes flashed
A half dozen quick strides brought
him to the side of the bushes, and
hastily thrusting them aside he saw,
not burly Philistine with bow and
spear seeking his life, but the beauti-
full face and form of woman.
Half abashed that she had been
caught spying upon him she let her
eyes droop and half turned as though
she would flee. And Samson, surprised
beyond measure by the vision which
met his eyes, stood in awkward
silence, while his eyes drank in the
grace and beauty of the woman before
him.
She was the first to speak, asking
with eager interest:
"Art thou Samson?"
How knowest thou my name, thou
fair one?" Samson replied, curiosity
mingling with his admiration.
"Ah! hath not the fame of thy valor
spread throughout all the land?" she
exclaimed, gracefully readiusting the
folds of her robe and smoothing some
of the stray locks of hair which the
boisterous breeze had snatched from
the wealth of black hair that clus-
tered about her head and was sending
in bewitching spray across the fair
cheek.
Samson moved uneasily in his en-
barrassment, for he did not enjoy the
words of praise or fiattery, great,
simple fellow that he was, and to
change the subject he asked, in turn:
And who are thou my fair one?
and why art thou out alone in this
placer"
dDu icllldu, anu W oSo tlSS dDl
come" she confessed with a frank
ness that was charming. And she
quickly added, in appealing voice:
"And you will tell me all about the
wonderful things l have heard con-
; corning thee, will you not?"
Nay, but the story of myself
would be fairer tale" Samson ex-
claimed. where dwellest thou, that
; may visit thee?"
"Thou shalt come and see," she re-
piled, tripping off before him, while
, Samson eagerly followed.
That was the beginning of a love
which took complete possession of his
heart and life, so that he utterly for
got the obligations that rested upon
him as Judge in Israel.
And when it became known unto
the lords of the Philistines that Sam
son was enamored of Delilah, they
came up unto her and said:
'Entice him, and see wherein his
great strength lieth, and by what
means we may prevail against him,
!. that we may bind him to afilict him ;
and we will give thee every one of us
/. eleven hundred pieces of silver"
3 And as they spoke they spread out
y before her eyes the great shining piles
Y of silver coin. All! how much finery
e that would buy for her dainty form,
9 The more she thought of it the more
). she was tempted to strive to make it
f her own, and during the days which
e followed she piled Samson with ques-
b tons, using all the winning arts Of
4 which her clever nature was capable,
/. until at last one day she knew that
t Samson had revealed all his heart to
b her and that the silver treasure was
within her grasp. And did ever sor.
row or regret fill her heart after her