The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-12-20
evidently had been 10 absorbed In on
versation that they had not heard tie
ouo~naah ~ tho chari.t

evidently had been 10 absorbed In cor.
, versation that they had not heard tie
approach OF the chariot.
by the gods" exclaimed Adonijah
as his eyes fell on the two figures
standing trembling IN one side OF the
narrow street. N II isn't Abiathar and
Solomon" this last spoken with a
eontemptuous sheer.
Without delgning a second look in
the latter's direction, he called out TO
the other:
Where now, friend Abiathar? ! was
house. Come up and ride with me
thither."
Nay. I cannot. ] must give the
prince safe conduct home. But do thou
proceed and | will presently follow
and join thee Saying which Abiathar
turned and again taking the arm OF
Prince Solomon continued on his way
down the street toward the palace Of
the quSSl, Bathsheba, the mother OF
| the boy.
what meaneth this?' calculated
| Adenljah with an oath. "Maketh Alba
thar some league with Solomon"
lie was half tempted to turn back.
Suspicion and hatred and anger filled
his heart. Not until that moment had
the thought OF solomon as q possible
stumbling block In the way Of his
progress entered his mind. He did re-
member now that years before when
the young lad had gone In royal state
to Egypt to be trained in all the learn
ing OF the Egyptians, he had heard an
intimation that David had said that he
tSolomon) should rule after him, but
the years had come and gone since
then, and there had been no indication
from the king that such was his pur-
pose. Solomon had now been back
nearly two years and there had been
no marked fayors shown him, and GER
tain II was that as the enfeebling con
ditions of old age had crept In upon
David. and more and more had
loosened his grasp upon the AFFAIRS OF
the kingdom, there had been no word
| DIphth vi hipNN "a III fuNPA w tr'W
young prince. For this reason, Adoni-
jah had practically dismissed the mat.
ter from his mind until he had 80 iii.
expectedy run upon the prince and
Abiathar that morning.
NE" he exclaimed, through his
clenched teeth, after he had hidden q
driver to continue on his way to the
house Of Abiatbar. Il will not turn
back. l will see what Abiathar hath
to say concerning this matter"
Fortunately his anger had somewhat
cooled when Abiathar reached home.
and the accusation which was framing
itself upon his lips vas not spoken.
but instead, he said, with some degree
Of calmness:
Thou didst not cone to me 30 ]
have come to thee"
Yea, and thou hast done WELL" re-
sponded Abiathar. n
THAT depends on whether thou
speakest well or Ill OF my cause. Thou
canst not remain silent much longer,
for but this morning ! heard that the
king wac falling rapidly"
ut is true sadly rejoined the high,
priest. II have but just come from the
palace. The old king, our good King
David, did not know me. fear the
stupor of death has come upon him."
and A~biathar's voice choked up as he
spoke the words, for he loved David.
And wentest Solomon with thee to
the king?" asked Adonijah, anxiously.
"He did" was the terse response.
And made claims for the king
dom?"
NAY, nor was the king able to talk
concerning the promise which II II
claimed he gave years age that Solo
mon should come to his throne" !.
Then what Of my cause? Am ! not
the heir to the throne"
Thou art"
Impulsively Adonijah stepped to the
side Of the high priest, and as he EN-.
braced him, he exclaimed.
'And thou wilt attend the feast ut
Enrogel9"
Long live King Adonijah!" was the
response.
\ ~ ~ MEW zH& EL -