Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-12

az thou hadst made him toll rs |
have toilcd," answered Gaal, then
thou highest have less cause to fear
the tidings from tie stranger
Angrily che stro,;e into the house.
Again the dog parked in the distance.
linen several others joined in, until
from tho dog house and the goat inclos-
urc came perfect chorus OF dogs.
some angrily, some joyf.lly.
why do the DOGS bark thus, Skelah?
Were they not fel?" asked Jesse.
Il myself left food for them little
while age replied Shelah wonder
ingly.
"Go to them, for there is something.
And remember, Shelah, though naught
is lower than dog, yet a good master
will not neglect one"
AS Shelah left to investigate, Huldah,
hearing the barking Of the dogs, came
from the house and approached Jesse
,anxiously.
eco thou Within" commanded the
patriarch. "The air is chill, and I will
join thee presently, AFTER Shelah re-
ports about the dogs that do harl: 40
strangely"
Il, too, have noted the barking Of the
dogs. But come within, Jesse. The
evening meal awaits thpp."
A loud cry from Shelah interrupted
them. He came to them in great eX-
citment.
Master" he cried, what shall
do? There was q man, beggor, among
the dogs, gnawlng bone that they had
turned from. He lay upon the ground
in agony, for one had set upon him |
could not see his face the way he lay.
but I did beat the dogs away from him
ana close the gate upon him"
"Iuldah go with Shelah," Jesse
said thoushtfuly. "There are reasons
why | must remain here Thou hast
gentle ways. and sin perhaps hath driv
on thc man to madness. Sometimes,
too, such mcn have holy visions from
their fast ngs. Sucak soft 10 him aud
bid him fear the Lord and give him
food and straw to rest Oh for the
night
Huldah, as though Sensing an i'm
pending calamity, looked strangely at
Jesse and then followed Shelah toward
the dog kennels Jesse. strobe few
steps down the road. only to hasten
back at hearing fearful cry of agony
from the direction of the sheds The
voice was that Of Iluldah, and anguish
was in every note
Through the gathering darkness
Jesse saw her aiding Shelah to halt
carry, half drag'a limp and senseless
form clad only in rags. He started to
ward her eagerly, but something mad,
him pause The mother dropped hen
burden 1T his feet, ana he saw that il
was the body Of a man fainting from
exhaustion He leaned over. when The
mother, facing him pitcously, cried:
"Onr boy. Our boy has come home.'
What" cried Jesse, with Il cry OF
pain and sorrow, stricken ut the sight
Of the poor wounded body lying be
fore him and remembering, In spite OF
his former anxiety over letler. that ht
had sworn mighty oath that ncvei
should the boy look upon his face
again. Our boy: Nay | have swor
he shall not look upon my face again
With II great, impcEous gesture ht
resclutcly turned his back upon Tx
body lying there upon the ground
With Il single sweep of his hand he
carried the loose mantle which drapet
from his shoulders up and over hi.
head, completely hiding his face. III
stood there. stoid, mute. firm as ;
rock
The mother. alternately sobDng owe
her boy and pleading with the com
handing figure Of the aged patriarch
sought to move him to pity
"l.Gok al otr box. my Jcth9r' shl
begged See what he word hath Con
~ hlmS
ITO BE CONTINUED