Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1909-01-28

oh. N annot. " must no be" she
cried At last. her womanhood asserting
itself and checking the sobs which had
shaken her frame. 1T cannot. Il can
not be-"
She sat up and looked about her
Was she not aueeng What had she
to fear The thought razhed across
her mind 70 take her chance Of escap-
ing the effect Of the decree OF the king.
No 10 knees she vas a tev. And why
should not her exalted station as queen
shelter her.
But scarcely had the though, flashed
into her mind than she turned from u
In disgust.
What though my life were spared.
she demanded Of her self ~Hercely. II
all my people should perish and. above
all. my MordecaL Oh. Mordecai Nor
decai. why has such trouble befallen
u.s. But what can I do I cannot 90
in unto the king unless he bid me. and
why should I perish before him before
l had had chance TO aid m people?
Surely. am perplexed.
Then. calling Hatach. she babe him
carry word back to Mordecal and say
10 him.
All the kings servants. and all the
people OF the kings PROVINCES know
that ~whosOsver. whether man or WON
an, shall rome unto the king into the
inner court. Who IL not called. there is
one lav Of his 10 put him to death. ex.
cept such TO whom the king shall hold
out the golden sceptre. hat he may
live. but ! have not been called to
come In unto the king these 30 days.
That night little sleep came to
Queen Esther. and she was ready wait
ing early in the morning for the return
OF Hataeh. whom she knew would
bring her word as soon as possible.
And he did not keep her long waiting.
for the message OF Mordecai was ur-
gent and full Of Ominous meaning.
Think not. was the message Nor
decai sent 10 her. that thou shalt es-
cape in the king house. more than all
the Jews
\ flush overspread he pallid face Of
the queen. and she spoke up hastily.
interrupting the words Of Hatach.
Nay. nav. Mordecai did misunder.
stand the import OF my words. I
thought not Of myself. but Of my PEG
pie and Of Mordecat What shall 4,
profit them il T perish miserably be
fore the wrath Of the king Then in
deed I could not serve them. MAY
there not be- some more sure >ay %
bringing deliveranceg-
Without replying I o Queen Esther's
question. Hatach continued
For II thou altogether holdest tly
peace at this time. hen shall there en-
largement and d~eliverance arise to the
Jews from another place.
Yea. fervidly responded Esther
catching the inspiration 81 Mordecai's
faith. Yea. God will give ~deliyerance
TO his people
A new light OF hope broke over the
face Of Hatach II Queen Esther's
words. n be continued. confidently:
Who knoWeth whether thou ar,
come to the kingdom for such a time
as this
Her heart gave a great bound a. Il
responded 10 the sublime thought
How it dIgniied her present position
Here was glory and honor far -
ing any which the mere possession Of
royal honors and power could ever be.
stow The memory Of her eventful life
swept lei her Ike n food How she
had been left a helpless. d~efenseIess
orphan. and In that dark hour had been
claimed By her fathers nephew. How
be had nurtared I'M cared for her as
he might have done for a daughter
and how hts place In the Official life q
the palace had given him opportunity
OF preparing her for the place which
had 50 wondrously opened up for her
as queen.
Perhaps. indeed. il vas for ms,
such a time as this that I have come
hither. she repeated softly to herself
She lifted her proud head. her graceful
form felt the thrill Of the dignity %
the new thought. and every curve grex
firm with the resolve which had been
formed within. and with a voice from
which all trace Of fear and doubt had
now vanished she said.
Go in haste. Hataeh, Gather to-
gether all the Jews thar are presers in
shushan. and fast ye for ne and
neither eat nor drink three DAYS. night
or day also. and my maidens will
fast likewise And so viii I go in unto
the king. which is not according to the
law. and If / perish. | perish