The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1910-12-22

But II ndQ DeSu hoioSu
through the whole extent or Etnlopia
and through the neighboring KING
doms that Balthaser was no longer IN
love with Balkis.
When the news reached Sheba, Bar
kis resented it bitterly. She com
manded her grand vizier to get every
thing ready for journey to Ethiopia.
I'VE shall start this very night,
she said, land thou shalt lose tiny
head if everything is not ready before
the sun sinks to rest"
And when she was alone she burst
into sobs.
II love him and he loves me not!
she cried in all sincerity.
Then one night Balthasar, who was
on the top of his tower, observing the
miraculous star saw on looking down
toward the earth a long black line
winding along the sands of the DESERT
like an army OF ants.
AS the caravan came nearer Baltha-
sar saw distinctly the bright scimitars
and the black horses of the queens
guards.
Then he saw her also; and he was
troubled amazingly, and he felt that
he was going to love her again. The
star was shining in the zenith with
marvellous brilliancy. Beneath, Balkis,
in her litter of purple and gold, looked
quite small, and she also shone like
a star
Balthasar felt drawn toward her as
if by some irresistible force. But,
turning his face from her with great
effort and lifting up his eyes, he saw
the star again, and the star spoke and
said:
GLORY to God in the highest, and
peace on earth to men of good Will!
Take thou a measure of myrrh
sweet King Balthasar, and follow me,
and shall lead thee to the Child who
has just been born in a stable between
a donkey and an OK.
For that Child is the King OF
Kings, and he will comfort those who
wish to be comfOrted.
He calls thee, Balthasar, whose
mind is still as dark as thy visage, but
whose heart is simple. even as the
heart of child.
He has chosen thee because thou
hast suffered, and he will give thee
riches. joy and love.
He will say to thee: be poor and
rejoice in thy poverty, for that is in
deed true riches. He will say: true
JOY lies in the remuneration of joy;
love me and love men because of me
for | am the only true love-"
like bright light on the dark face
of the king.
Queen Balkis, looking up towart
Balthasar, knew that no love for hel
could fill that heart now full of love
divine, and, turning, she ordered hel
caravan back to Sheba
When the star ceased to speak the
king and his two companions came
down from the tower and having pro
cured measure of myrrh, they form
ed caravan and followed the stal
which went before them.
One day. being at place wher,
three roads met, they saw two king
who were coming with long trains o
followers. One of them was youn,
and white of face. He greeted Baltha
sar and said:
My name is Gaspar; l am kin,
and l am taking present of gold t
the Child who has been born in Beth
lehem of Judea."
The second king also approached
He was an old man and his whit,
beard flowed to his girdle.
my name is Melchior," he said. :"
am king and l am taking a presen
of frankincense to the Divine Chill,
who has come to teach truth to men,
Il am going thither Also" sal,
Balthasar; Il have vanQuished my lus
and therefore did the star speak unit,
me-"
a." said Melchoir, have vanquishe,
my pride and therefore was l called.
IT, said Casper, have vanquishe
my cruelty and therefore do | go wit
you"
And, 10, the star which they saw Il
the east went before them till it cam
and stood over where the young Chill
was.
When they saw the star they re
joiced with exceeding great Joy.
And when they were come into tn
house they saw the young Child wit
Mary his mother. and fell down an
worshiped him; and when they ha
opened their treasures they presente
unto him gifts: gold, and frankir
cense, and myrrh-as it is said in tn
gospel