The Monte Vista journal., 1908-05-16


she had done many and many night
since she had been seized by the
Syrian band during one of their raids
into Israel. and had been taken into
this strange land and sold to this
great general.
True, they had been kind to her, but
she could not forget her home away
back there in Israel She wanted to
see mamma once more and her broth
ers and sisters. And as she watched
her master depart the impulse came
to rush forth and beg him to take her
back to her home. but as quickly came
the realization that she was only
slave girl. and could ask no favors, and
with low moan she sank back In
her place. But the one comfort which
she had had in her loneliness-the
thought that the God Of Israe! whom
her mother had taught her to revar-
ence and love would not forget her
came now to help and cheer her, and
she crept from her hiding place and
slipped back into the house.
More than once during the days
which followed the story OF Joseph
came to her as it had been told to
her by her mother, and she had said,
over and over again:
God remembered Joseph. and he
will remember me-"
And there she was content 10
let the matter rest. So the days
passed, but only once since that first
morning when she had spoken to her
mistress of the prophet in Israel, who
could cure her master, had her mis-
tress spoken to her of the matter, and
then 1t was to remark, rather impa.
tiently:
Can help come out of Israel, when
all Syria and the rest of the world
has been searched for a cure?"
The God OF Israel Is able to do
anything" bravely but quietly ven
tured the girl.
And is he more powerful than the
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-
citement and Joy by the arrival Of q
runner who brought tidings that the
master Of the household had been
healed and was even then on 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 might
go forth himself to meet the great
general on his return.
The wife OF Naaman could scarce
contain herself with 10Y and impa-
tiently watched every detail of the
preparations. keeping the servants
rushing hitler and thither until II
seemed as though they would drop
from sheer exhaustion.
Upon the little maid fell even
more trying burden. and by the time
all the preparations had been made
she was utterly tired out. and creeping
on to her little couch. she soon fell
Into 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
The greetings are over The cere.
monies attending the return Of the
great general are ended. The king
has departed for the palace. and the
groups OF curious and interested PEG.
pie are scattering to their homes.
"Oh. how good II IL 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 md smoothed the fresh ncw skin
which Ind taken the place Of the un.
slightly leprous spots which had shut
him nway from her for no long.
Yen, It's wonderful" responded
Naaman. returning the carcss.