Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-09

from the storm beneath the altar, but
drew back instinctively. Meanwhile
the rain and the storm increased In in
tensity, and binding flash Of light
ming revealed to Jether the impressive
figure of the prophet, as he stood be.
meath the shelter of the arched gate
way Of Nadna's house.
The prophets long hair was wet with
rain. His long white beard was swept
by the wind, and he seemed Il gaunt,
wild, half starved figure. He raised his
staff into the mir.
Fare thee forth, my son." he said
commandingly. yet kindly. NAKED thy
mother brought thee into the world.
Yet the Lord God watched over thee.
Naked this woman sends thee into the
storm. Will not the Lord God save
theeW
Jether shivcrcd in the storm and
shrank back before the holy man.
"His sword hangs over me, for have
sinned, and this is my punishment" he
| faltered.
what hast thou done to invite his
wrath 2" cried the prophet as the storm
increased in violence and another fash
Of lightning rent the Sky.
II have denied him." sobhed Jethc,
Historically.
"Thou hast denied thy God?" thun
dercd the prophet "'lhen behold his
anger"
He waved his staff. At the same mo-
ment giant ball of fire seemed to
rend asundcr the very garden in which
they stood. A terrific fash Of light
blinded Jcthcr, and the crash Of thun-
der seemed to SKATER his ear drums.
He turned just as he realized that the
shaft Of Gods lightning had strnck the
/ idol Of Ishtar and in one terrific burst
Of flame had destroyed utterly the
thing Of stone and wood which the
idolators Of Babylon had wolshipcd IN
the place of the one and only God.
= Jether, with cry Of terror, fell upon
his knees AID reached out his arms
supplicatlngly toward heaven.
II know his wrath he cried pte-
ously. Il have sinnod and am guilty
/ Forgive forgive"
The fury CT the storm increased and
with it the young boys terror. He bur
led his fnee upon the ground az he lay
PROSTATE and gave one long, agonized
cry:
"Motherr'
And in the distance as he went
through the storm. high above the fury
of tie wind ard the crashing Ct the
thunder could be heard The inspired
voice Of the prophet as he cried wildly:
"A doom upon the elty--a doom upon
the city. Coils wrath apon those who
worship the craven imaccs-God's
wrath upon We all. sinners and i'oc.
ters. We who deny the Hiring Gcd! *
doom upon yc all!" ,..
CHAPTER XII.
Tho Wandcrcr Comes Home.
TN the house of Jesse all was sad
ness. Only Gaal dared to speak
OF JEill'I, uH1 III oHiy oAlNc, lux
the remark called forth these
words from Jesse:
Il have but one son now, Gaal, and
thou art he. The boy whom once we
loved Is dead Speak never of the
dead
Yet even Jesse was not able to ban
ish entirely the thoughts of the absent
boy which came to him over with the
fall Of night, for one day he came to
Gaal In great czcitmcat and said:
''On the way from Hebron | met a
man on the roadside, who said a
stranger In tho village had passed with
tidings of our Jcthcr."
"Our Jcther?' repeated Gaal scorn
fully. "Whnt tidings?'
Il know not replied Jesse sorrow
fully. Il have sent n messenger to try
and oyertakc the stranger and ask hin
for news Of .lethcr IN Jerusalem, but
know not IL my message reached HIM
LET me await the stranger, father
Perhaps his tale Is one Of lies to gail
Gift from thee. Let him meet ny
questioning
Jesse ga2ed at him scarchlngly.
.---=------- sees