Woman's enterprise., 1921-12-16

the dellcate features tnere seemed u
flicker a radiance like the soft white
starlight of summer, and some joyous
secret hidden deep in her heart, filled
her dark eyes with a wondrous light
81 have come to sit here with you
while Joseph, she said, and the
subduced sweetness Of her voice ac-
| corded with the lovely face.
"You are welcome Mary" he re-
piled. "There is a seat by the win
dow, where you may look out at the
| mountains, they are always beautiful
to gaze upon"
Standing at the window, her face
uplifted to the sunlight, she was like
an angel visitant, and Joseph forgot
his work while his eyes dwelt rev.
erently upon her. Suddenly she
turned.
"A messenger is coming up the
street; it's a soldier" she said. "He
stops at every house,
"Do not fear" said Joseph hastily
"some civil message, no doubt. II
go to meet him."
81 fear nothing" Mary smiled. "G(
Joseph and learn his errand"
He was back in moment, a shade
of anxiety on his gentle face, tho hi
spoke calmly. "This decree from
Caesar. Every citizen is bidden tt
60 to the city of his birth, to b.
counted for taxation. We must 90 VI
to Bethlehem"
Over Mary's face swept a look O.
glad, awed comprehension, and sh'
went close to Joseph, looking into hi
face with eyes whose glowing glor,
startled him.
"The prophecy" she whispered. 81
is fulfilled. Have you forgotten tn
heavenly vision. Did not the ange
say in Bethlehem"
ut is well,' reverently answered
Joseph. "Let US prepare for tn
Journey"
It was late afternoon, and travel
er, mounted upon a stately whit
dromedary, was riding straight int
the glowing sunset which touched tn
drifting sands of the desert befor
him into a sea of gold.
There was no path visible, only
trackless waste Of sand, but the ride
apparently gave no heed to hi
course. The camel seemed insensi
bly, driven, its ungainly neck pushe'
forward, its ugly head nosing straigh
toward the horizon. Many miles wer
passed, but the rider made no sigl
or motion; it was as if beast ana MAJ
were led onward by subtle, compel
ing force.
At last the beast stopped of it
own will, uttering plaintive cry, an
the rider, reused, scanned the countr
carefully, and nodded thrice, as if t
say, ut is WE'LL" A moment late
the camel knelt, grunting at spun
of the masters "Ikh, ikh," and tn
lone rider stepped forth upon tn
sands, and stood, turning slowly
scanning the desert to the farthes
range Of vision, with eager wistful
ness.
i Suddenly the dark face frightened
he bent forward, his slim hands meet
ing in a clasp of intense desire, hi
eyes dilating as he watched. In tn
east dark speck had appeared o
the deserts rim; it grew steadily int
the definite shape of a tall, whit
dromedary, swiftly advancing towar
him.
"God only is great,' exclaimed tn
Egyptian, dropping reverently upo
, the sands and bowling himself fo
prayer. Rising he scanned the de:
ert again; the traveller from the eas
was rocking steadily nearer, and no
, from the north, another camel az
j.. peared, careening like white shi
t across the desert sea.
"Ah," breathed the Egyptia1
wonderful indeed is Gods work.
{ will prepare"
When the velvet footed anima
/. padded softly up to the resting plae
of the Egyptians camel, and the
riders stepped forth to greet him, /
stood with outsretched arms, a hol