Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-06-10

anything" bravely but quietly ven
tured the girl.
And is he more powerful than rho
gods OF Syrian" was the contemptu-
GUS reply. Why. then. is Syria great
and Israel in bondage?"
The little maid made no reply In
fact none was expected. for the mis-
tress dismissed her with an impatient
wave OF her hand and she left the
apartment
That night the household OF Naa-
man was thrown into the greatest ex-
element and joy by the arrival of a
runner who brought tidings that the
master of the household had been
healed and was even then IN his way
back home, and would DOUBTLESS ar.
rive on the morrow
There was little sleep in that house
hold that night, because OF the prep.
arations which must needs be made
for welcoming Naaman home again.
Even the royal household was in a
fever OF excitement over the joyful
news. and the king ordered his chariot
ready for the morrow that he nigh,
go forth himself to meet the great
general on his return.
The wife OF Naaman could scarce
contain herself with Joy and hmm.
tiently watched every detail of the
preparations. keeping the servants
rushing hither and thither until II
seemed as though they would drop
from sheer exhaustion.
Upon the little maid fell even a
more trying burden. and by the time
all the preparations had been made
she was utterly tired out, and creeping
on 10 her little couch, she soon fell
into a heavy slumber So deep. in
fact. was her sleep, that she did not
hear the bugle calls. the shouting and
the rejoicing as Naaman with his cav
alcade came up to the house and was
greeted by the waiting throngs.
Inc greetings are over The cere-
monies attending the return OF the
great general are ended. The king
mas departed for the palace, and the
groups OF curious and interested peo.
pie are scattering to their homes.
on, how good 1t is to have thee
back again. and healed" exclaimed
Naaman's wife, when they were alone.
and she reached up in a sort OF awed
way and smoothed the fresh new skin
which had taken the place of the I'm.
signify leprous spots which had shut
him away from her for so long.
Yea, It's wonderful" RESPONDED
Naaman, returning the caress.
Tell me all about IT," she urged
Yes, yes" he responded; but frs.
tell me: Where is the little Hebrew
maid that told me of her God and
whose God has healed me? / searched
all through the crowds that thronged
me on my return, but saw not her
face"
All, that is what made thee so pre-
occupied. | wondered of what thou
vast thinking as l saw thee searching
the faces before thee, when thou
shouldest have been content with but
one face"
Yea, and I am" lovingly responded
Naaman, as he in turn patted her
cheek, but / must see the little maid
and tell her, too. what great things
her God has done for me-"
And to the little audience OF two
the great general of Syria rehearsed
like an enthusiastic child the story O,
mis- visit to Israel and OF his washing
in the Jordan seven times, and coming
out cleansed of his leprosy And when
ne had finished he turned to the little
maid, and, putting his arm about her.
asked, tenderly:
And now what can do for thee,
who has done so much for me?"
The little maid looked up beseech.
ingly into his face. and then looked
questioningly over at her mistress as
she whispered the one word:
"Home,"
And even before the words Of as.
sent had been spoken she read the an
swer of her appeal in the loving, an.
preciative eyes which beamed upon
her.
1 should like TO have kept her as
my own daughter" Naaman said to his
wife later in the day. as they watched
the departure Of the little maid for her
home, but Nsaman will noe for
get her"