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

III thou hadst made him toll rs
have toiled," answered Gaal, then
thou mightcst have less cause to fear
the tidings from the stranger"
Anerily che stro;c into the house.
Again the dog parked IN the distance
Then several others joined in, until
from the dog house and the goat incl0s-
urc came perfect chorus Of dogs
some angrily, some joyfllly.
why do the dogs bark thus, Skelah?
Were they not fed?" asked Jesse. =.
II myself left food for them little
while age" replied Shelah wonder
ingly.
eco to them, for there Is something.
And remember, Shelah, though naught
is lower than dog, yet 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
,anXioasly.
GO thou Within commanded the
patriarch. "The air is chill, and l will
join thee presently. after Shelah re-
ports about the dogs that do bari; 80
strangely"
Il, too, have noted the barking OF the
dogs But come within, Jesse. The
evening meal awaits thee"
A loud cry from Shelah interrupted
them. He came 10 them in great eX-
citment.
Master" he cried, what shall !
do? There was 4 man, beggar, among
the dogs, gnawlng a 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
"Huldah 20 with Shelah," Jesse
said thoughtfully. There are reasons
why | must remain here. Thou hast
gentle ways, and sin perhaps hath driv-
en- ihc man to madness. Sometimes
too, such iaen have holy visions from
their fast ngs. Speak soft 10 him nuC
bid him fear the Lord and give hin
food and straw to rest on for tht
night"
Huldah. as though Sensing an i'm
pending calamity. looked strangely q
Jesse and then followed Shelah towar,
hn "a,
steps down the road, only to hastel
back at hearing a fearful cry Of agon.
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 hal
carry, half drag Il limp and sensoes
form clad only III rags. He started to
ward her eagerly. but something mad
him pause The mother dropped he
burden at his feet, and he saw that
was the body of man fainting from
exhaustion lie leaned over. when th
mother, facing him pitoously, cried.
"Our boy Our boy has come home!
What" cried Jesse, with cry o
pain and sorrow, stricken ut the SIGH
Of the poor. wounded body lying he
fore him aud remembering, IN spite O
his former anxiety over Jetler, that h
had sworn mighty oath that ncvc
should the boy look upon his fac
again. Our boy. Nay have swor
he shall not look upon my face again,
With great. inporlous gesture h
resolutcly turned his back upon til
body lying there upon the GROUND
With a single sweep of his hand h
carried the loose mantle which drape
from his shoulders up ana over hi
head, completely hiding his face. Ii
stood there. stold. mute. firm as
rock.
The mother. alternately sobbing owe
her boy and pleading with the CON
handing figure ct the aged patrarcl
sought to move him b.pity
"l.oOk 1T Our boy my Jetller." sh
begged "See what the word hath Con
~ him"
ITO PE, CONTINUED