monarch's officers. These chosen ones were
notified, the day of departure was fixed, and all energies were bent
toward the speedy return of the army to the land of the Euphrates.

. . . . . . .

Let us now visit some of the homes of Judah, where the mandate of the
Babylonian king had fallen as a pall upon the inmates. With one of these
homes, located centrally and bearing evidence of prosperity and culture,
the reader is already somewhat acquainted. In the room where young Ezrom
took leave of his sisters, twenty-five years before, an interesting group
had gathered. Monroah, the last survivor of Salome's children, had wedded
Amonober, and four lovely children blessed their union. These youths were
now orphans, however, the youngest being a maiden of sixteen, who
possessed the rare beauty for which the family was noted. Her name was
Perreeza. The three brothers were named Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
The love of these brothers for their sister was returned with all the
ardor of an affectionate and sincere girl. These youths were among those
selected as prisoners of war.

In company with the young men, when they broke the news of the king's
decision to Perreeza, was Jeremiah the Prophet.

"Oh, brothers!" exclaimed the distressed maiden, "must ye be torn away
from an only sister? Oh, man of God! What will Perreeza do? My heart will
break. Oh, my brothers! We cannot part!" and she fell on the neck of
Hananiah and wept bitterly.

"We think it not strange, dear damsel," said the prophet, "that thy young
heart is made sad. But the things that are enshrouded in mystery to-day
will yet beam forth in wondrous wisdom."

"If to Babylon my brothers go, I must accompany them," said Perreeza,
with much decision. "It must be so! Jerusalem will have no charms for me
when those I love dearer than life are far away!"

"Surely that would be our joy and desire," replied Azariah, "but alas! I
fear it will not be possible to have such a request granted. The exact
number is selected and no females are marked on the captive list."

"But dear brother, an effort must be put forth without delay to procure
thy sister permission."

"Yea, beloved, and an effort will be put forth, promptly and urgently."

This answer of the brother partly soothed the troubled spirit of the
young damsel, and the suggestion on her part opened a little door of hope
before the brothers.

Amonober, father of thes