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diff --git a/44601-0.txt b/44601-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e008d43 --- /dev/null +++ b/44601-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1723 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44601 *** + +The Little Maid of Israel. + +BY + +Emma Howard Wight. + +SECOND EDITION + + ST. LOUIS, MO., 1910 + PUBLISHED BY B. HERDER + 17 SOUTH BROADWAY + FREIBURG (BADEN) LONDON, W. C. + GERMANY 68, GREAT RUSSELL ST. + + + + + Copyright, 1900, by Jos. Gummersbach. + + -- BECKTOLD -- + PRINTING AND BOOK MFG. CO. + ST. LOUIS, MO. + + + + +THE LITTLE MAID OF ISRAEL. + +BY EMMA HOWARD WIGHT. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +In the Land of Israel, not a great distance from the city of Samaria, +dwelt Ezra with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Isaac and +Leah. The sun was sinking behind the hills as Ezra and Sarah sat before +the door of their humble dwelling resting after the labors of the day. +On a couch in the doorway reclined a youth with a pale, sickly face and +emaciated limbs. Isaac, the eldest-born of Ezra and Sarah, had been +a cripple from birth. His eyes, dull and languid from constant pain, +tired and sad, were fixed eagerly upon the wide white road stretching +away in the distance until it was lost among the hills. + +At length, with an impatient sigh, he turned his pale, wan face towards +his mother and said: + +"See, mother, the sun has nearly set; why tarryeth Leah so long? 'Twas +but sunrise when she did set out for Samaria, surely she should have +returned ere this." + +"Thou dost forget, my son, that thy sister had much to do in Samaria," +replied Sarah, soothingly. "First to dispose of the fruits and then to +purchase necessities for our household; also the ass of our neighbor +being old and stiff, can travel but slowly." + +"All that thou urgeth be true, mother," exclaimed the lad, petulantly. +"But my sister has ever the same tasks, still she always returned +from Samaria before the setting of the sun. I fear that some ill hath +befallen her," and his lip quivered with pain while his large, soft +eyes dilated with fear. + +"How now, lad! why dost thou frighten thy mother with thy sickly +fancies?" cried Ezra, impatiently, as Sarah's cheek grew pale. "What +ill could have befallen thy sister?" + +"She may have fallen into the hands of the Syrians, whom thou knoweth +do make raids into our country and carry off captives," answered the +lad, tremulously. "Oh, if I were only as other lads these burdens +should not fall upon the weak shoulders of a maiden. 'Twould be I who +would journey into Samaria with the fruits," and tears of bitter pain +and humiliation filled his eyes. + +Sarah leaned forward and gently smoothed back the dark, curling hair +from his white brow. + +"Speak not thus, my son," she murmured, with infinite tenderness. "Thy +mother loveth thee but the more tenderly because of thy affliction, +and well dost thou know how thy sister's heart yearneth over thee." + +A faint smile touched the lad's pale lips. + +"Ah, mother," he said, "it is wicked of me to repine at my affliction +when thou and my sister, Leah, do love me so well. But, oh, mother, if +I were but strong and whole," and, covering his face with his hands, he +sobbed aloud. + +"Look up, lad, and dry thy tears, for yonder cometh our Leah," cried +Ezra. + +With an exclamation of joy, Isaac obeyed, and, lifting himself eagerly +upon his elbow, watched with joyous eyes, the slow approach of an ass +upon which was seated a maiden. + +Ezra went forward and lifted her to the ground. + +"Leah! sister! thou art come at last!" cried Isaac. + +She ran to the couch and bent over him; his weak arms clasped her neck, +his eyes looked lovingly into her face. + +The brother and sister had the same fine-cut features and beautiful, +soft, dark eyes, but the lad's face was white and wan, while the rich +bloom of health colored the cheeks and lips of the maiden. Her dark +hair, curly and silken, fell to her waist; she was slenderly built, but +erect, graceful and quick of movement. + +"Why didst thou tarry so long, my child?" asked Sarah. "Thy brother has +sorely fretted, fearing that some ill had befallen thee." + +"I am sorry that thou didst fret, brother," said the maiden, bending to +kiss his pale brow. + +"Hadst thou trouble in disposing of the fruits, maiden?" asked Ezra. + +"No, dear father," replied Leah, turning towards him with a smile. "I +was but a little while selling the fruits and making the purchases for +my mother." + +"Then it was the slowness of our neighbor's ass which did delay thee," +said Ezra. + +"I will tell thee, father, why I did tarry so long in Samaria," said +the maiden. "They were talking in Samaria of the wonders wrought by the +prophet, Elisha, and I lingered to listen. 'Twas of his last miracle +that they did speak. Father, mother, brother, knoweth thou that the +prophet, Elisha, hath power to raise the dead to life?" + +She paused and turned her eyes upon the helpless form of the cripple +lad while the color deepened upon her cheek and her breath came +quickly. Isaac spoke not, but, as his eyes met his sister's, they +lighted with passionate eagerness and a long, panting sigh left his +lips. + +"What sayeth thou, maiden, that the prophet, Elisha, hath power to +raise the dead to life?" cried Ezra, wonderingly and incredulously. + +"Yes, father," answered Leah. "Listen, and I will tell to thee what +I heard in Samaria. There is a woman in Shunem who didst bear to her +husband in his old age a son. This woman, who is charitable and good, +is well known to Elisha. Indeed she had prepared a chamber for him +in her home where he did rest and take refreshment when he travelled +on foot from place to place. One morning, when the woman's child was +but five years of age, he went into the field where his father was +gathering in the harvest, and, there, he suddenly sickened from the +heat of the sun. They carried him to his mother, she held him in her +arms and, after some hours, he died. She took him up to the little +chamber where the prophet had rested and laid him upon the bed. Then, +commanding the servant to saddle an ass, she set out to seek Elisha who +was at Mount Carmel. + +"Elisha, standing upon the summit, near the altar of Jehovah, saw her +a-far off, for he sent his servant to inquire if all were well with +her. But the woman would herself speak with the prophet, and, falling +at his feet, did tell him that her son was dead. Elisha then returned +with the woman to Shunem and shut himself into the room with the dead +child. After a little while he called his servant and told him to +summon the mother, and, when she did come into the room, Elisha said to +her, 'Take up thy child,' and the child was risen from the dead." + +The little maid ceased speaking, and throwing herself on her knees +beside the couch, put her arms gently about Isaac's frail form. + +"Sister," murmured the lad, touching tenderly with his thin fingers the +curling hair which fell upon her shoulders, "I know the thoughts in thy +tender heart. Thou art thinking that if this great prophet hath power +to raise the dead to life, then also hath he the power to make strong +and straight these poor limbs of mine. Tell me, dear sister, are not +these thy thoughts?" + +"Yes! ah, indeed, yes!" cried the maiden, in a voice of passionate +tenderness and yearning. "But I did not wish thee to know what was in +my heart until I had spoken with our parents." + +She arose and turned towards Ezra and Sarah. Both regarded her in +silence; Ezra, pale and grave, Sarah, with tears in her eyes. + +"Father, wilt thou give me leave to seek the prophet, Elisha, who +dwelleth in Samaria that I may beg of him to heal my brother?" asked +the maiden. + +"Dost thou believe, maiden, that the wonderful things they relate of +this Elisha be true?" asked Ezra. + +Into the maiden's soft eyes there crept a troubled look. + +"Oh, dear father speak not thus," she cried, imploringly. "Surely thou +knoweth that unless we have faith, nothing will be granted unto us. Why +shouldst thou or I doubt the wonders imputed to Elisha, for is he not a +holy man of God?" + +"Thou art only a maiden, but thou speaketh words of wisdom which do +rebuke thy father," said Ezra. "Tell me, my son," turning to Isaac, +"dost thou also believe that this man, Elisha, hath power to heal thee, +who art from thy birth a cripple?" + +The lad looked, smiling, up into his father's face. + +"Yes, father, I do indeed believe that Elisha hath power to heal me," +he replied. "Even though he had not raised the dead to life still would +my faith in him be great, for, as Leah sayeth, he be a holy man of God." + +Ezra moved forward and laid his hand on the maiden's dark head. + +"Thy brother also hath great faith," he said. "Thou shalt seek Elisha +in Samaria and make known to him thy desire." + +Leah caught her father's hand and raised it to her lips. + +"I thank thee, my father," she murmured. + +"Dost thou think that Elisha will harken to thy request?" asked Ezra. + +"I am sure that he will, for Elisha never turneth a deaf ear to the +sorrowful and the afflicted," answered Leah. "Father, when may I +journey to Samaria and seek the prophet?" + +"Nay, nay, have patience, maiden," said Ezra. "We will talk of that +later, now 'tis time to prepare the evening meal. Assist thy mother, +while I go forth and feed our neighbor's ass." + +He turned away. + +The sun had set, but a faint flush of crimson still lingered in the +west. The ass stood patiently, with drooping head. + +A light flashed out from the low doorway. Ezra, as he fed and watered +the tired beast, could see his wife and daughter moving about within; +also the form of the cripple lad stretched upon the couch. Would that +wan cheek ever glow with health? mused Ezra. That weak body be upright +and sturdy, those helpless limbs strong and straight? + +"From his birth hath he been a cripple, sickly and helpless," murmured +Ezra. "But surely this man who hath power even to raise the dead to +life can heal a cripple lad." + +"Father! father!" + +Leah stood in the doorway, her cheeks the color of roses, the night +breeze lifting her heavy curls, her soft eyes gazing forth into the +gathering shadows. + +"Come, dear father, the evening meal is ready," she said. + +The day's tasks were done. Isaac, exhausted with the emotions and +excitement of the day, slept heavily upon his couch. Ezra and Sarah sat +in the doorway and the little maid lay upon the ground at their feet, +with her curly head resting against her mother's knee. + +"Art thou fatigued with thy journey, maiden?" asked Sarah, touching +caressingly Leah's rose-flushed cheek. + +"Fatigued!" repeated the maiden, with a smile. "No, dear mother, thy +Leah is young and strong; 'tis only the poor old ass that is weary." + +Ezra sat buried in thought. Now and again the little maid glanced +wistfully up into his face. She longed passionately to learn when it +was his will for her to seek the prophet in Samaria, but it never +occurred to her to question her father or manifest any signs of +impatience. + +A silence fell upon the three. Sarah thought that the little maid had +fallen asleep, so still she lay, but, as Ezra suddenly roused himself +and spoke, Leah, sat upright, her eyes eagerly seeking his face across +which the light from within fell. + +"Maiden," said Ezra, "I have been considering the matter of thy seeking +the prophet, Elisha, in Samaria. When ten days have passed the fruits +will again have ripened; then will I borrow the ass of our neighbor +and thou shalt journey to Samaria. When thou hast sold thy fruits thou +canst seek the prophet, Elisha." + +Leah's eyes filled with tears, her lips quivered, she was bitterly +disappointed. To wait ten days when she hoped and longed to start with +the coming dawn for Samaria. + +"Thou didst hear me, maiden?" said Ezra, as she did not speak. + +"Yes, my father," she replied, as she wiped away her tears. "'Tis thy +will that I again journey to Samaria when ten days shall have passed." + +"Such is my will," said Ezra. + +The little maid laid her head again upon her mother's lap and looked, +with longing, wistful eyes, into the darkness towards Samaria. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +"Sister, how many days have passed since thou didst return from +Samaria?" asked Isaac, as Leah, her morning's work completed, seated +herself beside his couch. + +"Five, brother," replied the little maid. "So but five more remain and +then I shall again journey to Samaria." + +The lad sighed deeply. + +"Every day that dawns is long and dreary to me," he said; "but these +last five days have seemed indeed the longest and dreariest of all my +life. Leah, sometimes during the long, pain-racked hours of the night, +my heart hath risen in bitterness against my father that he so long +delayeth thy journey to Samaria." + +"Nay, dear brother, speak not thus," said the little maid, gently. "Our +father knoweth best." + +"But, Leah," cried the lad, his eyes lighting eagerly, a faint flush +staining the pallor of his cheek, "if our father had permitted thee to +journey at once to Samaria, perhaps, when the fruits were ripe it would +have been I who didst carry them to Samaria." + +"Be patient a little longer, dear brother," said Leah. "And promise me +that thou wilt not again cherish bitter thoughts against our father," +she added, earnestly. + +"I promise thee, sister," answered the lad. "Poor father, 'tis a heavy +burden upon him that his eldest-born and only son should be a cripple; +that while he toileth I lie here helpless, unable to give him a helping +hand, to lighten his labor. But, oh, Leah, sister, how happy I shall +be when the prophet, Elisha, hath made me whole. How proudly shall I +labor by my father's side; and thou shalt journey no more to Samaria; +thou shalt stay at our mother's side while I carry the fruits to the +city and purchase necessities for our household. Sister! Sister! what +did the woman of Shunem when Elisha raised her child from the dead?" + +"She fell in gratitude at the feet of Elisha," answered the little maid. + +"I shall also fall in gratitude at the feet of Elisha when he hath made +me whole," said Isaac. + +"Thou must not forget to offer up prayers of gratitude to the great +Jehovah from whom cometh the power of Elisha," said Leah, gently. + +Ezra was at work in the fields when he saw his wife, Sarah, approaching. + +"What seeketh thou, Sarah?" he asked, as she drew near. + +"I would speak with thee, Ezra," replied Sarah. + +"Of what wouldst thou speak, Sarah, that thou seeketh me in the fields +at my labor?" asked Ezra. "Canst thou not wait until the day's toil be +ended?" + +"Nay, or I would not seek thee at thy labor," answered Sarah. "I would +not speak with thee of this before our children lest they think that +thy wife hold but lightly her husband's judgment. Ezra, the hearts +of our children are sad that thou delayeth the maiden's journey to +Samaria." + +"Our children be young and knoweth not patience," said Ezra. + +"Nay, Ezra, our son and eldest-born hath never known youth," sadly +answered Sarah. "Youth is sturdy of body, light of limb, joyous of +heart. Isaac knoweth naught of these things. Impatient, sayeth thou, +Ezra? Ay, and thou also would be impatient, even with the years of +wisdom upon thy shoulders, if thou wert crippled from birth, and when +the light of hope shone, for the first time, across thy dark pathway, +thou wert bidden to wait." + +"'Tis but a few days until the fruits shall have ripened," muttered +Ezra. + +"Ay, thou art right," said Sarah, "'tis but a few days, but a little +while ago I did hear our son say that the five days of waiting had been +the longest and dreariest of a life in which every day is long and +dreary." + +"Thou art but a woman, Sarah, and the softness of thy heart doth steal +away thy wisdom," said Ezra. + +"'Tis not so much the woman's heart as the mother's that doth plead +with thee, Ezra," replied Sarah, the tears filling her eyes. + +"Go back to thy children and thy work, woman," commanded Ezra. "And +when the day's toil be ended we will speak of this again." + +Sarah turned obediently away, but her heart was light, for her husband +had not said her nay. + + * * * * * + +"Come hither, maiden," said Ezra. + +The evening meal was over and the night shadows were falling. Leah +arose from beside her father's couch and approached Ezra. + +"Little maid," said Ezra, "maketh thyself ready, for to-morrow, at the +dawning of the day, our neighbor will bring his ass and thou shalt set +forth for Samaria." + +The maiden's lips parted eagerly with surprise and joy. The lad, lifted +himself upon his elbow, and gazed upon his father with radiant eyes. + +"But, father, the fruits are not yet ripe," faltered Leah. + +"That is true," replied Ezra. "But we shall not wait until the fruits +have ripened. Art thou not eager, maiden, to seek the prophet, Elisha, +in Samaria that thou mayest beg of him to heal thy brother?" + +"Yes, yes, dear father," cried the little maid, with shining eyes and +flushing cheeks. + +"Then make ready to start upon thy journey at the dawn of day," said +Ezra. + +"I shall be ready, dear father," replied Leah. + +She turned and went back to her brother's couch. She knelt down beside +him and slipped her hand in his. He lifted the little hand to his lips +and kissed it reverently and tenderly. + +When in the gray dawn of the early morning Leah entered Isaac's chamber +she found him sleeping. She pressed a kiss upon his brow and stole +softly out again. + +"Thou didst find thy brother sleeping," said Sarah. "He passed a night +of pain and restlessness and now sleepeth from exhaustion. But it will +fret him not to have bidden thee farewell." + +"'Tis well that he is resting after his night of pain," said Leah. +"Tell him, dear mother, that I kissed him as he slept." + +"Come, maiden," called Ezra from without. + +"Fare-thee-well, dear mother," murmured the little maid. + +Sarah kissed tenderly the sweet, upturned face. + +"Fare-thee-well, my child," she said, tremulously. "God be with thee." + +Then the little maid passed through the doorway and out into the +grayness of the breaking day. Ezra lifted her upon the ass's back and +she turned her face towards Samaria. + +When Isaac awoke he called his mother to him and said: + +"Mother, has my sister started for Samaria?" + +"Yes, my son," replied Sarah. + +His lips quivered. + +"Why didst thou not awaken me, mother, that I might bid my sister +farewell?" he said. + +"Thou wert resting, my son, after thy night of pain," answered Sarah. +"Thy sister would not have thee awakened, but bid me say to thee that +she kissed thee as thou slept. See," pointing to a golden gleam of +sunlight which forced itself through the window and lay athwart the +bed, "'tis the first ray of the rising sun; ere it sets thy sister will +be again with thee." + +And the lad lay gazing, with a smile upon his lips, at the shaft of +golden light. + +Ezra labored all day in the fields. The sun was sinking low in the +heavens when he saw approaching the neighbor whose ass he had borrowed. + +"Good-evening, neighbor," said Ezra. "Thou art come too soon for thy +ass; the maiden hath not yet returned." + +"I come not for the ass, neighbor," replied the man, whose name was +Simeon. "I bring thee ill tidings." + +"What meaneth thou, neighbor?" asked Ezra. + +"Ill hath befallen thy little maid," was the reply. + +"Ill hath befallen my little maid," repeated Ezra, bewilderedly. +"Speak, man, what ill?" + +"She has been taken captive by the Syrians," answered Simeon. + +"How knoweth thou this?" asked Ezra. + +"I will tell thee," said his neighbor. "But a little while ago a +stranger did come to my house mounted upon my own ass. 'Be this beast +thine?' he did ask me. Much astonished I replied that the ass were +mine. 'And the maiden who rode it, was she thy daughter?' asked the +stranger. I replied that she was not my daughter, but the little maid +of my neighbor, Ezra. Then the stranger said to me, 'Go to thy neighbor +Ezra and tell him that his little maid hath been taken captive by the +Syrians; that she will be carried to Damascus and sold into slavery.' + +"It doth appear," continued Simeon, as Ezra stood pale and speechless, +"that this man was traveling on foot from Samaria when he saw +approaching from the direction of Damascus, a company of Syrians. They +were evidently bent upon plunder, and the man, fearing that they would +take him captive, did hide himself. While in hiding he saw the Syrians +fall in with a little maid mounted upon an ass. The maiden they did +take captive, leaving the ass which is old and slow. When the Syrians +had departed with the little maid, the stranger came forth and mounted +the ass, turning its face in the direction from whence it came. And +the ass returned home. It is with sorrow in my heart, neighbor, that I +bring thee ill tidings of thy little maid." + +"Ay, ill tidings indeed!" murmured Ezra, his head sunk in sorrow upon +his breast. "The hand of the Lord hath fallen heavily upon me and +mine. How shall I tell the lad, for whose sake she did journey towards +Samaria, of the ill that hath befallen his sister? Alas! alas! our +little maid captured by the Syrians! sold into slavery!" and Ezra rent +his garments and wept bitterly. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Naaman, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Army, was passing through the +streets of Damascus in a magnificent chariot drawn by four snow-white +horses. He was a man of great height and superb physique; he wore a +robe of royal purple. But upon the proud face there rested a heavy +shadow, and the dark, flashing eyes, which had looked death in the face +unflinchingly so many times upon the battle-field, now drooped under +the pitying and curious glances bent upon him. + +A sigh of intense relief heaved his mighty chest when the chariot +stopped before the gates of a stately palace. He stepped from the +chariot and passed within. + +"Say to thy mistress that I desire her presence," he said to a servant, +and then passed on to a splendid chamber. + +With his arms clasped across his breast he paced restlessly up and down +the vast length of the chamber. + +"Ah," he murmured, "Naaman, whom all Syria doth call a mighty man of +valor, knoweth fear for the first time. My hand doth tremble like a +woman's, my limbs are weak. Never have her sweet eyes looked into mine +save with tenderness, but now--alas! alas! that Naaman should be so +accursed." + +The heavy silken draperies of the doorway were put aside and a woman +entered the chamber. She was very beautiful with skin of dazzling +fairness and hair of wondrous gold color. She was clad in rich garments +of white, embroidered with gold. + +"Naaman, my husband," she murmured, tenderly. + +At the sound of her sweet voice Naaman started, turned, moved towards +her and then abruptly paused. + +"Thou didst desire my presence, my lord," she continued, falteringly, +for his face was white and stern, and she remembered how of late he +had appeared so cold and changed. As he did not speak, she added, "I +fear that some trouble doth sore oppress thee. For some time I have +noted the pallor on thy cheek, the shadow on thy brow. I longed to know +thy trouble that I might comfort thee, but thou art ever silent. Wilt +thou not confide in me, Naaman? Surely thou knoweth that thy Claudia +desireth not alone to share thy riches and thy honors, but thy sorrows +also," and, moving to his side, she laid her beautiful white hand upon +his arm. + +He started back, thrusting her almost roughly aside. + +"Touch me not, woman!" he cried; "for I am--unclean." + +She stared at him, her eyes dark with horror, the delicate bloom fading +from cheeks and lips. He shuddered and covered his face with his hands. + +"Naaman, what meaneth thou?" she asked. "My husband, speak." + +His hands fell, he turned and faced her. + +"Claudia," he said, "this morning, as I passed through the streets of +Damascus, glances of pity and loathing were cast upon me, until, I, +Naaman, did bow my head in shame. I have riches, fame and honor, but +the very beggars in the streets do pity me for I am a--leper." + +She shrank back with a faint cry. + +"Ay, 'tis true," he continued, bitterly. "All Damascus doth know what +I have feared to tell to thee because I love thee; because I did fear +to read in thy sweet eyes the horror and the loathing with which all +regard me. The leper is accursed, unclean, whom many loathe, all pity, +but none may love." + +"Nay, thou art wrong," murmured Claudia, tenderly. "Thy wife doth love +thee, ay, but the more tenderly because of thy affliction." + +Into Naaman's haggard eyes there flashed a look of joy. + +"Then Naaman careth not for the pitying and loathing of all Syria since +Claudia still loveth him," he cried. + + * * * * * + +Claudia, wife of Naaman, was wandering listlessly through the beautiful +grounds which surrounded the palace. Her lovely face was pale, her eyes +full of sadness. She rarely went beyond the grounds of the palace, +shrinking from the compassionate glances bent upon her, and the +murmurs which too often reached her ears: + +"See! 'tis Claudia, the wife of Naaman, the leper." + +Suddenly through the gates of the palace there came a little maid. She +was poorly-clad, but, as she drew near, her sweet face attracted the +attention of Claudia. + +"Who art thou, little one?" she asked. + +"I am Leah, a slave," replied the little maid, while her dark head +drooped in shame. + +"A slave!" repeated Claudia. "Cometh thou not from the land of Israel?" +she asked. + +"Yes," replied Leah. "I was captured by a company of Syrians while on +my way to Samaria, brought to Damascus and placed in the slave market +where I was bought by Eucadeus, a wine-merchant. 'Tis he who hath sent +me to the palace of Naaman where he selleth his wine." + +"Captured and sold into slavery--'tis a hard fate for one so young," +murmured Claudia, musingly. "Knoweth thou who I am, maiden?" + +"I know not who thou art," replied the little maid, with a smile. "But +I see that thou art very beautiful, and my heart doth tell me that thou +art good. Thou art also a great lady, for thou weareth rich garments +and rare jewels." + +Claudia smiled. + +"Thy answer doth please me, little maid; thou hath an apt tongue," she +said. "I am Claudia, wife of Naaman." + +The soft, dark eyes of the little maid were lifted to Claudia's face +with a swift look of compassion. For a moment Claudia shrank back and +was silent. + +"Ah," she thought, "even this slave-girl knoweth that Naaman is a leper +and doth pity Naaman's wife. Wouldst thou like to enter my service, +maiden?" she asked. "If so, no doubt, thou canst be bought of thy +master, Eucadeus." + +Leah's eyes lighted with rapture. + +"Ay, lady, glad indeed would I be to enter thy service," she replied. +"I am sure thou couldst buy me of Eucadeus, for he loveth gold above +all things." + +"Then I shall send my chief steward to Eucadeus," said Claudia. "Now, +hasten, maiden, to do thy errand, lest thy master chide thee for +tarrying." + +Claudia returned to the palace and, summoning her chief steward, said +to him: + +"Seek thou the wine-merchant, Eucadeus, and say to him that Claudia, +wife of Naaman, would purchase of him Leah, the little Israelite maid, +upon whom he may set his own price." + +The chief steward accordingly went to do his mistress' bidding. + +Eucadeus, a hard, cruel, grasping fellow, who put upon the little maid +tasks far beyond her strength, was at first unwilling to part with +his slave. But, upon learning that it was Claudia, wife of Naaman, +who desired to purchase her, and that he might name his own price, he +quickly changed his mind and bargained with the chief steward for a +price just double that which he had paid for the maiden. + +The chief steward, though much disgusted with the old man's avarice and +extortion, handed over the pieces of gold which he named as his price +for the maiden and returned to the palace bringing Leah with him. + +Claudia appointed Leah her own hand-maiden and soon became very much +attached to her; Leah, in return, devotedly loved her beautiful kind +mistress. + +One day, after she had been some months in the household of Naaman, +Leah, who had been watching wistfully her mistress' beautiful, sad +face, said: + +"Ah, my dear mistress, how pale and sorrowful thou looketh. My heart +acheth for thee; would that I could help thee." + +Claudia smiled with infinite sadness and laid her hand affectionately +upon the dark, curly head of her hand-maiden. + +"Thou hast a tender heart, little one," she said. "I am sure thou +wouldst help me if thou couldst. But no one can do that, not even the +wisest and greatest in all Syria." + +"But there be one in Israel who can help thee," said the little maid. + +"What meaneth thou, child?" asked Claudia. "Dost thou know what doth +render me so sorrowful?" + +"Yes, dear mistress," replied the little maid, "'tis because Naaman, +thy husband, whom thou dost dearly love, art a leper." + +"Ay, most true," murmured Claudia, with a deep sigh. "Therefore, +maiden, why sayeth thou that there be one in the land of Israel who can +help me? Surely thou dost know that no one can heal the leper." + +"Listen, dear mistress," said Leah. "The prophet, Elisha, who is in +Samaria, can heal my lord, thy husband, for he hath done most wonderful +things even to the raising of the dead to life." + +Claudia listened with breathless eagerness and attention. + +"Thou art but a maiden and a slave," she said, "but I shall give heed +to thy words and repeat them to Naaman, my husband. Go tell thy master +that I would speak with him." + +When Naaman entered his wife's presence she turned to meet him with a +look in her beautiful eyes that he had not seen there in many months. + +"Thy little hand-maiden didst tell me that thou desireth my presence," +he said. + +"Yes," replied Claudia. "Oh, Naaman, my husband! this little maid of +Israel hath told me most wonderful things. She claimeth that in Samaria +there is a prophet called Elisha who hath power to heal thee of thy +leprosy. Oh, my husband, thou must at once seek this man." + +"I must first seek counsel of the king," said Naaman. + +"Then go at once and tell to the king what the maiden sayeth," cried +Claudia, and Naaman went from her presence to seek that of Benhadad, +king of Syria. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +"What is thy will with me, good Naaman?" asked Benhadad, king of Syria, +with whom the Syrian general stood high in favor. + +"I am come to seek counsel of thee, my lord," replied Naaman. "My wife +hath a maid-servant who cometh from the land of Israel, and this maiden +sayeth that in Samaria there is a prophet called Elisha, who hath done +most marvelous things even to the raising of the dead to life. The +maiden claimeth that if I seek the prophet, Elisha, he will heal me of +my leprosy. What thinketh thou, my lord? dost thou believe that which +the maiden sayeth be true?" + +"I have never heard of this Elisha," replied Benhadad. "He is no +doubt a magician, and, if what the maiden sayeth be true, his power +far exceedeth that of any magician at my court. Thou shalt journey +to Samaria, my Naaman, bearing a letter from me to Jehoram, king of +Israel. This Elisha is perhaps attached to the court of Jehoram, but, +if not, the king hath power to make his subjects do his bidding. Take +with thee gold in plenty to reward this Elisha." + +Naaman kissed the hand of the king and went forth from his presence. +Upon the day following his interview with Benhadad, Naaman, in great +pomp and splendor, set forth upon his journey to Samaria. He carried +with him ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold (about +sixty thousand dollars) and ten changes of costly raiment with which to +reward Elisha. + +The first blush of the rising sun lay upon the city of Damascus as the +magnificent caravan of Naaman passed through its gates. Naaman and his +retinue journeyed over the uplands of Bashan, through the valley of +Jordan, and upon the fifth day stood before the gates of Samaria. + +Then Naaman, ordering the caravan to halt, called one of his servants +to him and said: + +"Send ahead a messenger to Jehoram, king of Israel, announcing that +Naaman, the great Syrian general, art approaching with his retinue and +desireth audience with him." + +A fair-haired lad, robed in scarlet and mounted upon a jet-black horse +of wonderful swiftness, bore Naaman's message to the king. So when the +caravan reached the palace, Jehoram was waiting to receive Naaman. + +Tall and lithe of form, straight of feature was the Israelite king. +The long hair, bound by the jeweled crown, was black as the raven's +wing. There was a flush upon his dark brow and a troubled look in his +eyes as Naaman entered his presence. + +"Thou art Naaman, general in the Syrian Army," he said, "and thou +seeketh speech with me?" + +"Yes, I am Naaman," replied the Syrian, as he bent his proud head +before Israel's dark king. "I have journeyed from Damascus, bearing +this letter from Benhadad, king of all Syria to Jehoram, king of +Israel," and taking the parchment from his breast, he presented it to +Jehoram. + +The latter read the letter and his face turned white. Lifting his eyes, +angry and disturbed, he fixed them upon Naaman. + +"Thou art a leper?" he said, while a look of loathing passed over his +face. + +A dark red flush of shame and humiliation rose to Naaman's proud brow. +"Yes, my lord, I am a leper," he replied. + +The king fell into deep thought, his brows drawn together in a frown. + +Naaman, standing at the foot of the throne in torturing suspense, noted +that the king was greatly disturbed. His thin lips were unsteady, the +long, slim fingers, which held the golden sceptre, trembled. + +At length, the king roused himself, and, turning his eyes again upon +Naaman, he asked: + +"Knoweth thou the contents of this letter?" + +"Yes, my lord," replied Naaman. + +"I must have time to consider this request of Benhadad," continued the +king. Naaman's face paled. He had not anticipated any hesitation on the +part of Jehoram to grant the wish of Benhadad, knowing how unwise it +would be for political reasons for Jehoram thus to act. If the king of +Israel noted Naaman's disturbance he gave no sign of it. + +"Seek me to-morrow at this time," he said, "and thou shalt have my +answer to the letter of thy king." + +As soon as Naaman had departed Jehoram summoned the counselors and wise +men of his kingdom and thus addressed them: + +"Benhadad, king of Syria, seeketh a quarrel with me. He maketh a +request which he knoweth it be impossible for me to grant. I fear that +he doth this for the purpose of provoking war as his father, Benhadad +I, before him, did with my father, Ahab." + +"My lord, what meaneth thou?" anxiously inquired one of the wise men of +the kingdom. + +"The king hath sent to me Naaman, the great Syrian general, with a +letter which I will read to thee," replied the king. "'Now when this +letter is come unto thee, behold I send herewith Naaman, my servant, +that thou mayest cure him of his leprosy.' Seeth thou how he seeketh a +quarrel with me?" cried the king, as he rent his garments. "Am I God to +kill and give life that Benhadad sendeth to me a man to be cured of his +leprosy?" + +The wise men and the counselors of the kingdom looked silently and +apprehensively into one another's faces, for they knew not what to say +to the king. + +"It doth appear that Benhadad mocks me," said the king, "for well he +knoweth that no man hath the power to heal the leper." + +"My lord, what answer hast thou given to Naaman who brought to thee +the king's letter?" asked one of the wise men. + +"I have given him as yet no answer," replied Jehoram. "I did send him +away, bidding him return to-morrow. In the meanwhile, I have summoned +thee, my counselors and wise men, that we may confer together." + +"Thinketh thou, my lord, that this Naaman, who cometh in such pomp and +splendor to Samaria, be in truth a leper?" asked one of the counselors. + +"Truly I know not," answered the king. "But when I didst ask him if +he were a leper, his face flushed with shame and he replied, 'Yes, I +am a leper.' He is a man of magnificent form and stately bearing, he +is evidently of great wealth and high in favor with Benhadad, Syria's +king. He is also a soldier and a man of valor. But why waste we time in +discussing this Syrian. Let us rather take counsel as to what answer +we shall send to his king." + +"My lord, what answer canst thou send to Benhadad, king of Syria, save +that thou art not God and, therefore, hath not the power to heal the +leper?" asked one of the wise men. + +The king frowned. + +"Thus would I do as Benhadad wisheth--give him pretext to make war upon +me," he cried, impatiently. "Thou speaketh with scant wisdom, Mahab. +Benhadad knoweth well that it be not in the power of man to heal the +leper. But I would temporize with him, not thus openly give him pretext +to make war upon Israel." + +At that moment one of the king's servants entered and said: + +"My lord, a servant of the prophet, Elisha, is without and desireth +speech with thee." + +"He must seek me later," cried the king, impatiently. "I am engaged at +present with the counselors and wise men of my kingdom upon a matter of +grave import." + +"Pardon thy servant, my lord," persisted the servant, "but this man bid +me say that his master hath sent him to speak words of counsel that +neither the wise men nor the counselors of thy kingdom could give unto +thee." + +The king started. + +"Ah!" he exclaimed, "now I do remember that this Elisha be a great +prophet and a holy man of God. Go, bring hither his servant." + +The servant withdrew, returning in few moments with a man simply clad +and grave of mien. + +"My lord," he said to Jehoram, "my master, Elisha, the prophet, bade me +seek thee and say, 'Why hast thou rent thy garments? Sendeth to me this +Naaman of Syria that he may know there is a prophet in Israel.'" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +At the appointed time, upon the day following, Naaman again presented +himself before Jehoram, king of Israel. + +The latter had assembled about him his courtiers, counselors and wise +men. He appeared no longer troubled nor disturbed. He looked with +serene eyes upon Naaman, into which, however, there flashed a look of +loathing as he remembered that the man before him was a leper. + +The courtiers, counselors and wise men of the Kingdom also looked with +aversion upon Naaman, notwithstanding the nobility of his form, his +handsome, proud face and the magnificence of his raiment, for in Israel +the leper is an object of intense aversion, and, had Naaman been an +Israelite, he would have been banished in spite of his rank, wealth and +the services he had rendered to his country. + +The king of Israel and those of his court were deeply incensed that +Benhadad, king of Syria, had sent into their midst, to the person of +the king himself, a man afflicted with leprosy. + +Naaman stood, with folded arms and grave face, waiting for the king to +speak. + +For some moments Jehoram was silent, pondering the wisest and most +judicious manner of making known to Naaman his wish regarding him. +The king was perfectly sure that Elisha would extricate him from his +difficulty, for had not the prophet bade his servant say, 'Why hast +thou rent thy garments?' which meant literally, 'Why art thou troubled +and of so little faith?' + +But the king, laboring under an erroneous idea as to Benhadad's motive +in sending Naaman to him, wished so to act as to leave Benhadad no +pretext for making war upon him. Benhadad had in reality desired to +be complimentary in the wording of his letter in order to propitiate +Jehoram, so that the latter would command Elisha to heal Naaman. + +"Naaman of Syria," said Jehoram, "I did promise thee an answer to the +letter of thy king. Go thou to the house in Samaria of the prophet, +Elisha, and say unto him, 'I am Naaman of Syria, a leper, who hast come +to thee to be made whole.' Then will Elisha heal thee of thy leprosy." + +"My lord, I know not where dwelleth this Elisha," said Naaman. + +"I will send a servant to guide thee," said the king. + +So Naaman entered his chariot, and with all his retinue, started for +the home of the prophet. The king's servant led the way on foot. The +magnificent caravan passed through the streets of Samaria, wound among +the hills and stopped before a small and lowly dwelling. + +Lifting himself from among his silken cushions, Naaman called +impatiently to one of his servants, + +"Why hast the caravan come thus to a halt?" + +"At the command of the king's servant, my lord," was the reply. + +"Send to me the king's servant," cried Naaman, angrily. + +In a few moments the servant of the king stood beside the chariot. + +"Why hast thou thus stopped the caravan of Naaman?" asked the Syrian +nobleman, angrily. + +"My lord, I am but fulfilling the orders of the king, my master," was +the reply. + +"Thou speaketh falsely," cried Naaman, with increasing anger. "Thy +master didst command thee to conduct me to the house of Elisha, the +prophet." + +"My lord, I have obeyed the order of my master," said the servant. +"This is the house of Elisha, the prophet." + +"'Tis impossible!" cried Naaman, incredulously. "A great man like +Elisha must surely dwell in a palace. This is the abode of a man, +humble, obscure; Elisha is rich and famous." + +The king's servant regarded Naaman wonderingly. + +"Pardon me, my lord, but thou dost know little regarding the prophet +Elisha," he said. "'Tis true that his fame hath gone forth over the +land, but Elisha hath not riches; he is a man, poor and humble; he +dwelleth not in a palace, this is his home." + +Naaman, perplexed and wondering, waved the servant of the king +impatiently aside and summoning one of his own servants, said to him: + +"Go thou into the house of Elisha and say to him that Naaman, general +in the Syrian Army, high in favor with Benhadad, king of Syria, doth +desire speech with him." + +The servant passed into the house of Elisha. In a short while he came +forth alone. + +"Is not the prophet, Elisha, within?" asked Naaman, impatiently. + +"Yes, my lord," was the answer, "but I saw him not. The servant of +Elisha did carry the message to his master." + +"And what answer sendeth Elisha?" asked Naaman, with eagerness. + +"Elisha desireth to know, my lord, what is thy will with him," replied +the servant. + +Naaman's brow darkened with displeasure. + +"Is it thus that the great and rich Naaman of Syria is received by the +poor and humble Elisha?" he cried. Then, remembering the errand upon +which he had come, he controlled his indignation, thinking, "I must +humor this man if I would have my will of him: Go thou again into the +house of Elisha," he said, "and bid the servant say to his master, that +Naaman of Syria hath journeyed from Damascus that Elisha may heal him +of his leprosy." + +The servant turned away and passed into the house. In a few minutes he +returned with the servant of Elisha who, approaching Naaman, said: + +"My master, Elisha sayeth unto Naaman of Syria, 'Go thou and bathe +seven times in the Jordan and thy flesh shalt recover health and thou +shalt be clean.'" + +"Dost thy master mean to mock me that he treateth me as though I were +but a common outcast leper?" cried Naaman. "I did think that he would +have come out to see me, and, touching with his hand the place of the +leprosy, would have invoked the name of Jehovah, his God, and healed +me. Go wash seven times in the Jordan? What marvelous power doth the +Jordan possess? But enough of this folly. Thy master doth but speak in +jest. Go say to him that Naaman of Syria came not to be mocked, but to +be cured of his leprosy, and that he bringeth with him a great treasure +with which to reward Elisha." + +"My lord, it would avail naught for me to carry thy message to my +master," said the servant. "Elisha hath spoken," and, turning, he +passed quietly among the servants of Naaman and entered the lowly +dwelling of his master. + +Naaman sat for some moments in silence. The servant of the king looked +up at him eagerly and seemed about to speak, but awed, perhaps, by the +Syrian's white face and sombre eyes, remained silent. + +At length, Naaman roused himself, sprang to his feet, and drawing his +splendid form to its full height, cried in a loud voice: + +"Back to Damascus! Naaman hath but come upon a fool's errand." Then +turning upon the servant of the king, he cried, in tones of great +anger, "Go to thy master, Jehoram, king of Israel, and say to him that +Benhadad, king of all Syria, will know how to avenge the insult that +hath been offered to Naaman." + +"But, my lord, the king, my master, didst intend thee no insult," +protested the servant. "The ways of Elisha are not like unto the ways +of other men." + +"Stop not to parley with me!" cried Naaman, furiously. "Be gone ere I +bid my servants drive thee hence." + +The servant of the king bowed his head and passed swiftly away. + +"Now, onward to Damascus," said Naaman, throwing himself wearily back +upon the cushions. + +At that moment, however, one of Naaman's servants, a white-haired old +man, approached the chariot and said: + +"Wilt my lord hear patiently old Masrekah whose hair has grown gray in +his service and who didst serve his father before him?" + +"Speak, my good Masrekah," answered Naaman. + +"My lord, thou art a mighty man of valor and know not the meaning of +fear," continued Masrekah. "If the prophet, Elisha, bade thee do some +act difficult of achievement, thou wouldst have listened and obeyed?" + +"Ay, most willingly," replied Naaman. + +"Then, my master, do not despise this thing that Elisha bid thee do +because it is a simple thing," said Masrekah. "My lord, I do not +believe that Elisha doth intend thee mockery and insult. Didst thou +not take heed of the words of the king's servant, 'The ways of Elisha +are not like unto the ways of other men?' Thou, my lord, didst expect +to find him in a palace, but instead he dwelleth as do the poor and +lowly. Thou didst think that he would heal thee with ostentatious and +impressive ceremonial, but he sendeth thee word to go to bathe seven +times in the Jordan and thou shalt be clean. My Lord, despise not the +bidding of Elisha." + +"Thou speaketh with the wisdom of years, my good Masrekah," answered +Naaman. "Naaman will give heed to thy words. I go to bathe seven times +in the Jordan." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +Upon leaving the caravan of Naaman, the servant of the king returned to +the palace and sought his master. + +"What tidings dost thou bring?" asked Jehoram. "Hath Elisha healed +Naaman of his leprosy?" + +"No, my lord," replied the servant, "and I bring to thee a message from +Naaman who is greatly incensed," and he repeated to the king Naaman's +message. + +Jehoram's face grew pale. + +The servant then proceeded to relate how Elisha had received Naaman and +what he had bid him do. + +"What meaneth Elisha?" cried Jehoram, in fear and anger. "Does he not +know that he will bring destruction upon Israel?" + +"I did say unto Naaman of Syria that the ways of Elisha, the prophet, +were not like unto the ways of other men," said the servant. "But +Naaman would not give heed to my words, he angrily bade me be gone." + +"Go, mount the fleetest horse in my possession and make haste to the +house of Elisha," commanded the king. "Say to him that if Naaman of +Syria returneth in anger to Damascus, Benhadad, king of all Syria, will +at once declare war upon Israel. Say to Elisha that Jehoram his king, +doth command him to heal Naaman of his leprosy lest destruction come +upon Israel." + +"But, my lord, pardon thy servant for reminding thee that Naaman of +Syria refused to do the bidding of Elisha," said the servant. "He +believeth that Elisha does but mock him." + +"Ah, this worshipper of a false god understandeth not the ways of a +prophet of the true God of Israel," cried the king, scornfully. "But +be that as it may Naaman must not return unhealed and in anger to +Damascus. So go thou with all speed and deliver my message to Elisha. +The caravan of Naaman cannot have proceeded far; thou canst still +overtake it after thou hast seen Elisha. Lose not a moment; go!" + +After the departure of his servant Jehoram shut himself up alone in +his chamber. He sought not the counsel of the wise men of his kingdom; +he knew that no one could extricate him from threatened disaster save +Elisha. + +Impatiently the king tossed aside the jeweled crown which rested so +heavily upon his aching brows. + +"Ah, can all the glory of a king compensate for the cares that lie +so heavily upon him? Jehoram, king of all Israel, often envyeth the +humblest of his subjects." + +Time passed and the king, restless with suspense, consumed with +anxiety, awaited the coming of his servant. At length, the servant +returned. + +"Speak; what tidings dost thou bring?" cried the king. + +"My lord," replied the servant, "I did hasten, as thou commanded, to +the house of Elisha. His servant admitted me to the presence of the +prophet and I delivered to him thy message. Elisha heard me in silence, +then he spoke. 'Jehoram, king of Israel, hath but little faith,' he +said. 'Go to thy master and say unto him that Naaman will return to +Damascus healed of his leprosy.'" + +A long sigh of relief broke from the lips of the king. + +"Elisha be a prophet and a holy man of God," he said, "therefore, will +I believe his words and have faith in him." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +An hour before sunset, upon the day following his departure from +Damascus, the caravan of Naaman reached the banks of the Jordan. The +Jordan was very different from the beautiful Syrian rivers, Abaha and +Pharpar. Its waters, muddy and discolored, flowed sluggishly between +unshaded banks covered with coarse grass and rank weeds. + +Naaman descended from his chariot and advanced to the banks of the +river. He stood, for some moments, frowningly regarding the discolored +water as it crept to his feet, then he threw aside his purple robe, +disclosing upon his broad chest awful, loathsome sores. He stepped into +the water. + +In a few minutes he stood again upon the bank. His great muscular arms +were crossed upon his breast, a gray pallor lay upon his face. + +"I have done the bidding of Elisha," he cried, "I have bathed seven +times in the Jordan, but my brain doth whirl, my eyes are dim and +blurred. Masrekah, faithful servant, 'tis for thee to speak--am I whole +or am I still a leper?" and he threw his arms wide apart. + +In silent wonder and awe the servants of Naaman gazed upon their +master. The loathsome, leprous spots had entirely disappeared, his +flesh "was like unto the flesh of a little child." + +But Naaman knew not that he was healed. His eyes, dim and dazed, were +fixed upon the old servant. One downward glance would have told him +all, but Naaman, soldier and mighty man of valor, now knew a coward's +fear. + +Masrekah came forward, and falling at his master's feet, covered his +hands with kisses and tears of joy. + +"Master! dearest master!" he cried, "thou art healed! thou art clean! +thou art no more a leper." + +A great tremor shook Naaman's massive limbs. He grew weak as a little +child, his lips quivered and tears filled his eyes. His servants broke +into shouts of joy and exultation. They threw themselves on their knees +before Naaman, kissing his hands and feet. + +"Arise, my good and faithful servants," said Naaman. "Turn we our faces +again towards Samaria. I go to seek the prophet, Elisha." + +Masrekah laid his hand upon Naaman's arm. + +"My lord," he said, "thou hast forgotten to render thanks to Rimmon, +god of Syria, for the great good that hath been done unto thee. +Masrekah thus presumeth to remind his lord lest the god, being +angered, should send some calamity upon Naaman." + +Naaman smiled. + +"Naaman shall not render thanks to Rimmon, god of Syria," he said. "Nor +doth Naaman fear the anger of Syria's god. Nay, be not troubled, my +good Masrekah, all will be well with Naaman." + +Naaman then arrayed himself in his purple robe and passed on to his +chariot. For a moment he stood gazing upon the waters of the Jordan +to which the crimson glow from the setting sun lent fleeting beauty. +His eyes were filled with a great joy, an immeasurable peace. Then he +stepped into his chariot and motioned for the caravan to proceed. + +It was the same hour, upon the next day, that the caravan of Naaman +again stood before the humble dwelling of Elisha. Naaman, calling one +of his servants to him, said: + +"Go thou into the house of Elisha and say to him, 'Naaman of Syria, +having done thy bidding, bathed seven times in the Jordan, has come +forth whole. He most earnestly desireth speech with thee, that he may +tell to thee how his heart has changed, also give unto thee the ten +talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold and ten changes of +raiment which he brought with him from Damascus.'" + +The servant passed into the house of the prophet. In a short time he +returned, saying: + +"Elisha will come forth, my lord, and speak with thee." + +Naaman alighted from the chariot and awaited the coming of the prophet. +After a little while a man stepped through the low doorway of the +humble dwelling and approached Naaman. + +Tall and spare in figure, he wore a dark, coarse, robe, over which +flowed a long, gray beard. His face was pale and worn, his eyes gentle +and calm. + +Naaman sank upon his knees at the feet of the prophet. + +"Arise, Naaman of Syria," said Elisha, in a voice of wonderful +sweetness. + +Naaman pressed the coarse robe of the prophet to his lips ere he rose +to his feet. Then, calling to his servants, he said: + +"Bring hither the treasure which Naaman brought with him from Damascus +to reward Elisha." + +"Nay, Naaman of Syria must take back with him to Damascus the treasure +he did bring," said Elisha. "Elisha desireth not riches nor the praise +of men. 'Twas not for these things that he didst heal Naaman of his +leprosy." + +Naaman, seeing that it would be quite useless to endeavor to force +reward upon the prophet, signed to his servants to leave undisturbed +the treasure. Then, again kneeling at Elisha's feet, he cried, aloud: + +"Elisha, through thee it has been revealed to me that there is no god +in all the earth but only in Israel. Henceforth, Naaman will offer +sacrifice only to the true God of Israel." + +"Peace be with thee, Naaman of Syria," said the prophet, with his +sweet, gentle smile. "'Tis indeed well with thee. A greater good has +come to thee than the healing of thy body from the foulness of leprosy. +Go thou in peace." + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +The days passed very slowly and wearily to Claudia, wife of Naaman, as +she awaited in her palace home the return of her husband. Sometimes her +heart was filled with hope, then, again, she would be plunged into the +deepest despondency, when it seemed madness to believe that any man had +power to heal the leper. + +Leah, the little maid, watched her mistress wistfully, tenderly. One +morning, as she sat at Claudia's feet, she looked up into her pale, +beautiful face and said: + +"Why art thou so sad, my dear mistress?" + +"Ah, maiden," replied Claudia, "thou canst not understand the tortures +of suspense which consume me." + +"Suspense!" repeated the little maid. "Then thou dost doubt the power +of Elisha to heal my lord of his leprosy?" + +"Yes," answered Claudia. "For how can man be possessed of such power?" + +A smile of rare sweetness lighted up the face of the little maid. + +"My own dear mistress, put aside all thy doubts, all thy trouble, for +my lord will return healed of his leprosy," she said. + +"Child, great indeed is thy faith in this man, Elisha," said Claudia. +"Hast thou ever seen him, spoken with him?" + +"No," answered the little maid. "I was on my way to seek him when I was +captured by the Syrians." + +"What was thy purpose in seeking Elisha, maiden?" asked Claudia. + +Leah's lips quivered, her soft eyes filled with tears. + +"In the land of Israel I have a brother who has been a cripple from +birth," she murmured. "I was on my way to Samaria to seek Elisha and +beg of him that he heal my brother." + +"But, child, thou art poor, how didst thou propose to reward Elisha for +healing thy brother?" asked Claudia. + +The little maid looked up inquiringly. + +"What meaneth thou, dear mistress?" she asked. + +"Surely thou knoweth, maiden, that the magicians of the court of +Benhadad, king of Syria, receive rich salaries," replied Claudia. "But +even they possess not the power of this Elisha for they cannot heal the +leper. Therefore, Elisha must be even more richly rewarded than are the +magicians of Benhadad's court." + +"Dear mistress, Elisha is no magician, but a holy man of God," said +the little maid. "He dwelleth not at the court of the king, neither +does he receive aught in recompense for the good that he doeth." + +"I--I do not understand," murmured Claudia, perplexedly. "Why, Naaman, +my husband, did take with him to Samaria ten talents of silver, six +thousand pieces of gold and ten changes of raiment with which to reward +Elisha should he be healed of his leprosy." + +Leah smiled. + +"My lord will bring back with him from Damascus the ten talents +of silver, the six thousand pieces of gold and the ten changes of +raiment," she said, "for Elisha will have none of them." + +Claudia sat for some moments in thought. + +"Perhaps this Elisha is a seeker after fame, and so to win the praise +of men he uses his power for the poor as well as the rich," she said, +at length. "But I believe not that he will refuse the treasure which my +husband carried with him to Samaria." + +Leah did not answer. Claudia, after regarding her attentively for some +moments, said: + +"Thou seemeth to give no heed to my words, maiden. Dost thou in truth +believe that Elisha will refuse to receive the treasure which Naaman +carryeth with him?" + +"I know dear mistress, that Elisha will refuse to accept the treasure +which my lord carryeth with him to Samaria," replied the little maid, +firmly. "Elisha careth not for riches nor the praise of men. He seeketh +only to please and serve the Lord who hath given to him his great +power." + +"What manner of man is this Elisha who can inspire such great and +unswerving faith?" mused Claudia. "Is the God of Israel more powerful +than the god of Syria, for Rimmon hath given to no man in Syria power +like unto that possessed by Elisha?" she said aloud. + +The little maid looked up earnestly into her mistress' beautiful face. + +"There is no God save the God of Israel," she said. + +Claudia smiled indulgently. + +"Thou art of the land of Israel, little one," she said, "and, +therefore, thou dost believe that the God Israel worships be the only +true God. Perhaps, if thou dwelleth long in Syria, thou will learn to +worship Syria's god." + +"No, dear lady, that could never be," replied Leah, earnestly. "I may +see no more my people and my country, but I shall ever remain faithful +to my God. He dwelleth not alone in the land of Israel, but he ruleth +over all the earth. 'Tis He, Who through his prophet, will heal thy +husband of his leprosy." + +"Thou speaketh idle words child," said Claudia, a little impatiently. +"The God of Israel would not bestow His favors upon a Syrian who does +worship Syria's god. But, there, enough of this; let us speak of other +things. Tell me of thy people. Hast thou brothers and sisters in the +land of Israel?" + +"I have but one brother, dear mistress," replied Leah. + +"And this brother has been a cripple from birth?" gently asked Claudia. + +"Yes, dear mistress." + +"And thou dost love him very dearly?" + +"Ah, so dearly," murmured the little maid, with quivering lips. + +"Poor child, thy young life has known much sorrow," said Claudia, +pityingly. "And, yet, thou thinketh more of the sorrows of others than +of thy own." + +"My heart is sad at times," said Leah. "But I must not rebel against +the will of the good God." + +"And is this why thou dost bear so patiently and unmurmuringly +the sorrows which have darkened thy young life?" asked Claudia, +wonderingly. "But the gods are wont to send afflictions upon those who +offend them, thou canst not have offended thy God." + +"God, in His wisdom, doth often afflict those whom He loveth," said +Leah. + +Claudia smiled. + +"This God of thine is a strange God," she said. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +When fourteen days had passed since his departure for Samaria, the +caravan of Naaman again entered the gates of Damascus. + +The little maid, learning of this, made haste to seek her mistress. + +"Dear mistress," she said, "the caravan of my lord has entered the city +and proceedeth to the palace of Benhadad, the king." + +Claudia turned very white. + +"And--and what other tidings dost thou bring?" she faltered. "Speak, +child; keep me not in suspense." + +"I bring no further tidings, my mistress," answered the little maid. + +Claudia sank upon a couch, trembling and faint. Leah knelt beside her +and kissed her hands. + +"Why dost thou tremble and grow pale, dear mistress," she asked. "I did +come to thee at once with the tidings of my lord's return, thinking +that thou wouldst rejoice and be happy." + +"If I knew that he were healed then indeed would I rejoice," said +Claudia. "But if he be not healed my heart will be filled with sadness +and sad indeed our meeting." + +"Be at peace, my lady," said the little maid, earnestly. "My lord has +returned healed of his leprosy." + +"Thou hast indeed great faith, child," said Claudia, with a faint +smile. "But only when I hear from the lips of my husband that he is +healed will I believe. But, come and array me, for whether Naaman +return in sorrow or gladness I will do him honor." + +The little maid hastened to put a rich silken robe upon her mistress, +binding back her golden hair with a circlet of glittering gems. + +"Come," then said Claudia, "thou shalt await with me the coming of +Naaman." + +Upon entering Damascus, Naaman had at once sought the palace of the +king. + +The latter received him most graciously, saying: + +"What fortune did attend thy journey into the land of Israel, my good +Naaman?" + +"My lord, I return healed of my leprosy," replied Naaman. + +"Thou cometh indeed with wonderful tidings," exclaimed the king. +"Marvelous is the power of this magician of the court of Jehoram. What +sayeth thy wife, the beautiful Claudia? great rejoicing must indeed be +hers." + +"She as yet knows not that I have returned from Samaria," answered +Naaman. "I did first seek the presence of my king to make known to him +the wonders that have been done unto me." + +"Ah," murmured Benhadad, "thou art ever faithful to thy country and thy +king." + +The proud eyes of the Syrian wavered and fell under the king's kind +gaze. + +"Ah," he was thinking, "the king knows not that I have forsaken the god +of my country for Jehovah Who ruleth over all the earth." + +"I will detain thee no longer at present," said Benhadad. "Make haste +to the presence of thy wife with thy tidings of joy. Meanwhile the news +shall go abroad over all the land that Naaman has returned from Samaria +healed of his leprosy that all Syria may rejoice and offer sacrifice to +Rimmon. Say to thy wife that Benhadad rejoices with her that Naaman +has returned healed." + +Naaman bent his head to kiss the hand of the king and then left the +palace. As the chariot passed through the streets of Damascus shouts of +rejoicing were heard upon every side; Benhadad had already sent forth +the tidings of the healing of Naaman. + +Claudia, awaiting the coming of her husband, heard the shouts and cries +and turned very pale. + +"What means those cries?" she asked of the little maid. + +"My lord passes through the streets of Damascus and the people rejoices +that he is healed," answered Leah. + +"Only when I hear from the lips of my husband that he be healed will I +believe," again said Claudia. + +The servants of the palace then took up the joyous cries; Naaman had +passed through the gates. + +A few moments more and the embroidered draperies were put aside and +Naaman stood upon the threshold of the great chamber. And as she looked +into his face Claudia knew how it was with him. She moved forward and +was folded to his breast. And the little maid, with tears in her eyes, +passed out of the chamber, leaving them alone. + +After a little while, however, she was summoned to the presence of +Naaman. Claudia, her beautiful face all aglow with happiness, stood by +her husband's side. + +"Maiden," said Naaman, "Elisha, whose great powers thou didst make +known to me, has healed me of my leprosy." + +"My lord, my heart is indeed glad that thou hast returned healed of thy +leprosy," said the little maid. + +"And thou, maiden, shall be rewarded," continued Naaman. "Ask of me +what thou wilt and it shall be granted unto thee." + +The little maid fell upon her knees at his feet. + +"O, my lord," she cried, "I would return to those who love me and +sorrow for me in the dear land of Israel. I crave of thee but one +thing, my lord--freedom." + +"It is granted thee," said Naaman. "Thou art no more a slave." + +The little maid caught his hand and covered it with kisses. Claudia +stooped and lifted her to her feet. + +"It grieves me to part with thee, little one," she said. "But I shall +be glad that thou art happy with those whom thou dost love." + +"I shall never forget thee nor cease to love thee," murmured Leah. + +"Maiden, hast thou no further desire?" asked Naaman. + +"What more could I desire, my lord, since thou hast given me my +freedom?" replied the little maid. + +"Thou art poor," said Naaman. "Hast thou never craved riches?" + +"Not for myself, my lord," answered Leah. "But I have often wished that +my parents were not forced to labor so hard." + +"Thy parents shall labor no more," said Naaman, quietly. + +"What meaneth thou, my lord?" murmured the little maid, bewilderedly. + +"Listen to me, maiden," continued Naaman. "I did carry with me to +Samaria ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold and ten +changes of raiment with which to reward Elisha should he heal me of my +leprosy." + +Leah smiled. + +"And Elisha did refuse to accept the treasure which thou didst carry +with thee to Samaria," she said. + +"Yes," replied Naaman, "but the treasure which Elisha did refuse shall +be thine." + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +Early upon the morning following a servant came to Leah and said: + +"There be a lad outside the gates of the palace who desires speech with +thee." + +"A lad desires speech with me," said the little maid, wonderingly. "But +I know no lad in Damascus." + +"He inquired for the Israelite maiden who is a slave in the house of +Naaman," replied the servant. "'Tis only a ragged beggar lad," and the +servant turned scornfully away. + +Leah passed out of the palace and ran down to the great gates. + +Beyond the gates, for the servant had not permitted him to enter, stood +a lad. His coarse garments were soiled and torn, his bare feet were +cut and bleeding. The golden light from the rising sun fell upon his +dark curly head. + +Uttering a cry of joy, he ran, with outstretched hands, towards the +little maid. + +"Leah! sister! I have found thee at last!" he cried. + +She stood motionless, gazing at him with wide, bewildered eyes. + +"Isaac! my brother! is it indeed thou?" she cried. + +"Yes, 'tis indeed thy Isaac!" he answered. "But, as thou dost see, no +longer a cripple for Elisha has made me whole." + +"Elisha has made thee whole," she repeated. + +"Yes; listen, and I will tell thee all," said Isaac. "I will speak but +briefly of the sorrow which did fill our hearts when thou wert captured +by the Syrians. Had I not been a helpless cripple I would have gone +forth to seek thee. Then one day our mother called our father to her +and said, 'Unless thou seeketh help we shall soon have no child, for +Isaac will die of his grief for his sister.' 'Where and of whom shall I +seek help?' asked our father. 'Journey to Samaria and seek the prophet, +Elisha,' answered our mother. 'Tell to him how heavily the hand of +misfortune has fallen upon our home. Beg of him to return with thee and +heal our son.' + +"So upon the morrow our father did borrow the ass of our neighbor and +set forth upon his journey to Samaria. In the evening he returned, +bringing Elisha with him. That night, sister, while our parents slept, +Elisha came and stood beside my couch. I felt the touch of his hand +upon my limbs and I heard his voice saying, 'With the sun thou shalt +rise from thy couch and walk.' Then he was gone and it seemed to me +I had but dreamed. When the morning had come and the sun had risen, +Elisha was gone, but I did arise from my couch and walk, for I was +strong and made whole. + +"Then did I set forth to seek thee. I was many days in reaching +Damascus. I was often hungry and footsore, but I was happy for I was +no longer a cripple. But yesterday I did pass through the gates of +Damascus. There was great excitement upon the streets. The people were +shouting and uttering cries of joy. I learned that they were rejoicing +because Naaman, a great Syrian general and favorite of the king, +Benhadad, had returned from Samaria healed of his leprosy. + +"I asked a woman in the crowd who had healed Naaman. 'A great man +called Elisha,' she replied. 'Tis said that Naaman did hear of this +Elisha through a little Israelite maid who is a slave in Naaman's +household.' Oh, dear sister, how I did rejoice at her words for I knew +then that I had found thee. I am come to offer myself as Naaman's slave +that I may ransom thee." + +Leah put her arms tenderly about his neck. + +"Brother," she said, "I am no more a slave; neither shalt thou nor +our parents labor, for Naaman has made me rich. Oh! dear brother! our +hearts should indeed be filled with gratitude to Jehovah, Israel's God." + +END. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +Page 12, "widsom" changed to "wisdom" (words of wisdom) + +Page 52, "pesisted" changed to "persisted" (persisted the servant) + +Page 68, "A" changed to "An" (An hour before) + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Little Maid of Israel, by Emma Howard Wight + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44601 *** |