Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21

Never such star indeed! So large that il
made the cleaning planets seem but pinpoints of
feeble light in comparison; SO brilliant that It's
b1uish silver radiance threw shadows almost as
sharply defined as those cast by the moon
TT seems lower than the rest" breathed Sarah,
land doesn't 1t look to you TO be directly over
the stable? :. lit frightens me, Nathanl"
"m is very beautiful, my love-" answered
Nathan, land what is beautiful cannot be
frightening. But it gives cause TO wonder
what the astrologers would say it portends"
&c was indeed SO beautiful that as they stood
for q moment in the shadowy room watching It,
It's light seemed to steal miraculously into
6aEah's bruised heart and soothe somewhat its
pain.
Il must CO." said Nathan reluctantly ut
length, there have been many people whom I
have had to turn away because there is no room
left In the inn, but there are two here, q car
penter Of Nazareth and his wife. They
have already been to the smaller hotels, and
have given them leave to spend the night In
the stable. The young wife looks near to her
time, and seemed very weary. There is plenty
OF clean hay there and If you win tell me
where to find blankets -.
They are a strangely assorted couple he
added with the desire to divert the mind of his
wife from her sorrow, "the man bent and gray,
the woman-girl rather-young and very beau
tifnl. No more than IL, should judge"
Listlessly Sarah directed him to the big chest
OF extra bedding that stood in the upper store
:. room, and when the door had closed upon him
she returned TO the window and leaning her
aching. forehead against the frame, gazed out
at the dark bulk of the stables, clearly outlined
IN the soft radiance Of the great star.
In there was q girl, poor and humble appar-
emily. with no place to lay her tired head but
the hay: girl who was nevertheless soon TO
have the blessing Of blessings that Sarah, with
an her wealth Is the wife Of prosperous nm
keeper, was denied.
MgVEN now evening was drawing into night,
VI the last night that she might look On the
face Of her child, the little Nathan and draw
ing stool close to the bed she sat down, her
SOrnber, pain-darkened eyes fixed upon the tiny
form.
Twenty years Of waiting-praying- hoping
with an eSer-dwindling, calamity struggling
hope. And then, just as the hope had ceased
TO struggle-the mirae1el
a tender smile replaced the brooding shadows
In 6arai's eyes O. she thought hack to those
blessed months Of expectataon-the devotion Of
Nathan; the song at her heart. always ready
to spring to her lips -he WoFe and Houn the
tiny garments that 49, be needed 10 replace
the swaddling clothes. and even these last were
OF such beautiful Mneness and sOftneSs folded
away weeks ago Ia . ehest-for little Nathan
had been q sturdy and fast-growing child, end
had not long needed them.
He needed new ones now, alas! They were
there in readiness for the preparation q the
little body for It's last rest-oe an unbelievahle
cObWeb fneness such rs no garments worn
during his short lie had ever exhibited
Once more she clipped 10 her knees shaken
BY fresh storm Of grief, so fierce that she lay
Cor long hours inert and exhausted.
And Is the slow night passed she found
herself wondering against her win about this
village gin IN the stable.
How near was her tmeT-for Nathan would,
Of course. be no judge Of that Had she no
friends In Bethlehem? Had she made prepa-
a &zzaAe
Only about ~, Nathan had said. 20 10 Was
doubtless her first child. Her gufferin4s might
NOT be 30 keen as saraEs own had been. but
hardly more than@Ai child heTsAlf-she would