The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1907-05-18

home circle and friends with the old
time pleasure and vivacity, but she
could not forget the quiet, helpful, up
lifting influence of Naomi. Uncon-
sciously she was constantly drawing
comparisons between tho life she had
known after becoming the vile " Chill.
ion, and the life her people lived.
| When the time drew near for the fes'
tivities attending the worship OF their
gods she had felt the old thrill OF ex'
pectant pleasure which she used to
know as she had planned and prepared
to share in the celebrations. But
this feeling soon passed and left her
with that sense of unrest and dissatis'
faction. so that at last, much to the
surprise of her friends, she decided
that she would not go to the testify.
tiles. 1t vas then that they besieged
her with their pleadings until at last
she consented to go.
What Is the matter with me any
way?" she exclaimed, irritatedly as b
busted herself with the preparations.
Why shouldn't l go, and why
shouldn't l have a good time? Why
should l feel as l do?" But ever
while she impatiently argued with her.
self there kept recurring to her mind
the memory of her mother-in-law's
words, as repeatedly she had heard her
say, when asked to attend the feasts:
mo, / have left my own land, but ]
did not leave my God behind, and ]
could not go up to the services that
would do honor to those which are no
gods at ALL"
She had felt a glow of admiration
for Naomi at that time for her brave
words, and down deep in her heart she
knew that the gods which her people
worshiped were false gods and not
like the God whom the Hebrews wor'
shipped. But now that she had gone
back to her people once more and
was away from the strong, uplifting
influence of hat cody woman, she
had felt the old desire to enjoy the old
life as she had formerly done, but
somehow she could not.
But l will, l will, l will" she ex.
| claimed, as she made her final prep
arations and started forth with the
merry group of friends who had
come to accompany her to the
place of the celebration. AS they
moved on they chatted and laugh.
ed gayly, and 1t was not long ere
the old spirit of gayety had complete
possession of her, and she forgot all
about the struggle she had had and
the questions which had kept her in
so unhappy a state since her return to
the old home.
Thus the day sped swiftly on. The
festivities were at their height, and
the great throngs Of people awaited
the coming of the solemn procession
of the priests, who in the presence OF
all the people were to make their of,
ferings to the gods and invoke their
blessings upon the people, following
which the damsels were 70 dance the
sinuous, dreamy figures which were
part of the religious ceremonies. Or
pha, arrayed in her filmy, festal robes,
Mad taken her place with the other
dancers ready to play her part, when
the time should come, as she lad
been wont to do in former years.
Are you not glad that you are here
and not in the land Of Israeli" asked
one of her companions standing next
to her.
Yes" answered Orpha enthusiast
tically, and 1 wish Ruth were here
to share in the festivities with u.s.
Foolish she was, indeed" was the
reply of the other. What can she
find there but poverty and hardship?
Have you had tidings from her since
she went away?"
At the mention CT the land Of Israel,
and the name of Ruth a stranger
standing near had started and then
listened eagerly to the conversation
which followed, but so occupied were
Orpha and her friends with their con-
v~ersation that they did not note this.
But suddenly they were aroused by an
abrupt inquiry addressed to Orpha:
Did you know Ruth?" he asked.
Bring you word from herr" Orpha
asked, eagerly. rs she we'll? How
fares she?" and she continued to pour
out a rapid fire of questions, piling up
her inquiries concerning Ruth.
The stranger lifted up his hand in
helpless protest to stem the flood OF
questions, saying, as he did so:
Listen, for l have just come from
Bethlehem and bring tiding of won
derful things which have come to
pass. Call her no longer poor, unfor'
tunate Ruth, fer she has become the
wifa of one of the nrincinal men of