Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1907-05-16

surprise ~ her friends. she decided
that she would not 60 10 the festiv-
tiles. II vas then tha, they besieged
her with their pleadings until at last
she consented 10 go.
What is the matter with me any.
way, she exclaimed. irritetedly as she
busted herself with the preparations
Why shouldn't 60. and why
shouldn't I have a good times Why
should feel as dof- hut even
while she impatiently argued with her.
self there kept recurring 10 her mind
the memory Of her motherin-lav's
words. as repeatedly she had heard her
say. when asked 20 attend the feasts.
No l have left my own land. but I
did not leave my God behind. and I
could not go up 10 the services that
would do honor to those which are no
gods al 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 thar 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 % that Sodly woman. she
had felt the old desire to enjoy the old
nfe as she had formerly done. but
somehow she could not
But will. Will. will. she er-
claimed, as she made har tnal prep
aratious and started forth Vith tho
merry group of friends Who had
come 70 accompany her 10 the
place Of the celebration As they
moved on they ehatted and laugh
I'd gsyly and Il 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 10
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
~ the priests. Who In the presence ~
all the people were 20 make their Of
I fcrings 20 the gods and invoke their
blessings upon the people. following
which the damsels were to dance the
I sinuous. dreamy figures which were
/ part of the religious ceremonies. Or
/ pha. arrayed in her filmy. fcstal robes.
had taken her place with the other
dancers ready to play her part. when
/ the time should come. as she had
| 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 enthusias-
{ tically. and wish Ruth were here
to share In the festivities with US"
Foolish she was indeed was the
+ reply OF the other. What can she
I find there but poverty aud hardship
Have you had tidirss from her since
she went away
At the mention Of the land OF Israel.
aud the name OF Ruth 4 stranger
standing near had started and then
listened eagerly to the conversation
which followed. but 50 occupied were
Orpha and her friends with their con
vcrsation that they did not note this
+ But suddenly they were aroused by an
abrupt inquiry addressed 70 Orpha.
Did you know Ruth" h. asked
Bring you word from here~ Orpha
asked. eagerly is she welle 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 food OF
/ questions. saying. as he did so:
Listen. for l have just come from
I Bethlehem and bring tidinE Of won
derful things which have come to
pass. Call her no longer poor. unfor-
tunate Ruth. for she has become the
wife of one OF the principal men OF
the city"
What's that you say cried Or
pha, incredulously. believing that her
ears had misunderstood.
And thus importuned the stranger
went on 10 explain and 10 give fur
ther details OF her sister-ia- laws life
since going to Bethlehem.
At this point the conversation was
interrupted by the passing % the
priests mumbling their incantations.
while the people shouted the names
OF their gods. crying.
Great are the gods Of the M0abiteS
Where are there gods like unto them.
and who can bestow blessing such Is
they give 10 their faithful children -
Who. indeed7" thought Ohpha. bit
teriy. as her thoughts sped back 70
that day when she had stood IN the
roadway with Ruth and Naomi and
had finally turned back and left the
two TO go on alone. Her gala attire
seemed as though mocking her in her
distress She thought Of the abhor.
renee which Noami had had OF the
feast days Of the Moabites What
would she think OF her now in the
midst of that gayety7 She knew that
the God whom Naomi had worshiped
and about whom she had spoken to
her two daughters-in-law was the true
God She might have had him for her
God. but she had turned back Thus
harrassed by the workings of her con-
science. she turned and fed from the
place. crying out as she went:
1t might have been. but now 1t 10
too late. Too late,"
In the Sunshine.
4 n a.