The L'Anse sentinel., 1907-10-19

threw himself with . disseminated
sigh upon one Of the soft divans
which furnished the sumptuous apart
ment II was . delightful place to
be. he thought ~ he looked about
him. and then up at the blue sky
which was deepening with the even.
Ing shadows. The thought Of leav.
Ing the ease and comfort OF his splen-
did palace filled him with impatient
regret.
why should he go?'' he asked him.
self. Why not let Joab go alonef
Yes. he would lose the glory Of ths
victory, but was he not a. king en-.
titled to seek his own ease and com
fort" thus he reasoned, and ct last
the resolve was made and he dis
patched one Of his servants with q
note to Joab telling him that he would
tarry at Jerusalem and commanding
Joab to lead the army against the
Ammonites as had been planned.
So 1t came to pass that the next
day the army departed leaving King
David behind to enjoy the ease and
comfort Of his palace.
II will Join Joab later" he prom
ised himself, as he watched the long
defile Of soldiers pass down the val.
ley. He was In his favorite place on
the terrace, and when the last divi-
sion had passed out Of sight, he threw
himself back upon the couch and gave
himself up to dreamy speculation Of
the probable development In the
campaign against the Ammonites. He
had not the least shadow of doubt az
to the outcome. Had he, It Is doubt.
full whether he would have been cor
tent to have remained behind. But
with the absolute certainty Of victory
he gave himself up to the enjoymen.
Of the luxury about him.
So the days passed. 1t had been al.
most week now since tidings had
come from the army. and while he
did not feel uneasy as to the progress
Of the campaign, the lack of news
served to again raise the question In
his own mind as to his plAre of duty.
Why should he tarry there In ease
while the men Of Israel endured the
hardships and the dangers OF bat
tie? He felt half ashamed OF himself.
and was almost on the point Of oder
ing the servants to prepare for the
journey, when the impulse was ch, ck.
ed by the inner prompting to delay
starting for day.
Perhaps" he said by way Of apollo
gy, to his better impulses, they arc
on the way home even now, and delay
sending word that the whole army
may share In the Joy Of bringing It'd.
ings of victory"
In this spirit Of self-complacency he
settled himself for his midday rest,
promising himself by way Of compro-
mise to start surely on the morrow II
tidings had not by that time reached
him. Little did he think what his
procrastination was to cost him. But
the promise to start on the morrow
served to still the troubled conscience
within, and he gave himself up to the
ease and pleasures about him with Q
fresh relish.
awoke him from his afternoon slum-
ber. mo, will not attend the even.
ing sacrifice" and he stretched him.
self languidly and took turn around
the room. Ease and indulgences In
the luxuries of the table nre not con.
ducive to piety. and be II said for
David that OF late he had grown cold
In his religious life. AS he looked
about him he could not help think
of the contrast there was between
what he now enjoyed and his simple
life as a shepherd boy years be-
fore.
II guess that did live nearer to
God then than I do now" he confess
ed to himself as the thought came to
him of his harp and the Joy he used
to get out of 1t as he sang praises
to God on the sides OF the Judean
hills while his sheep grazed cnu-
tentedly about him.
"And why not get the old harp out
and sing some of the old songs here
and now?" urged the inner voice.
mot tonight" he said, half impa-
tiently, "else will miss the delight
full eventide IN my favorite nook on
the roof terrace" and he started to
ward the stairway leading to the love-
ly spot.
Not even the better promptings
could hold him. He had become so
accustomed of late to yielding to the
mere physical desires that the
thought of denying himself was an un.
welcome one.
Tomorrow" he promised himself.
as he reached the roof. Il will get out
my harp and worship God In the old
songs, II do not go to ioin the
army"
Tomorrow" All, fatal mistake.
disastrous delay, for that night there
came the temptation which swept him
on his feet, and forever linked his
name with his companion in sin. the
vainglorious and beautiful Bathshsba
Skater on Clutches.
ro.~ =