ael had nothing in common with the nobleman. But Moses loved him
and found joy in his company. Joshua loved him and had him by his side
when Israel warred. Caleb and Aaron loved him because he was godly,
and Miriam was proud of him and was mild in his presence. He took no
public part in the people's affairs, yet who shall say that he was not
near when Bezaleel wrought the wondrous angels for the ark? Who shall
say that his purest jewel did not enter the breast-plate of the high
priest? There are many names embraced in that general term, "every
wise-hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle."

So when Israel took up the forty years of pasture-hunting in Paran,
Kenkenes made his tent beautiful and pitched it always apart from the
multitude, and here he was contented all the days that Israel tarried
in that place. Under his care his flocks increased, his cattle
multiplied and his camels were not few, and he laid up riches for the
four stalwart sons and the golden-haired daughter who were to live
after him.

From the moment of his union with his beautiful wife, through the long
years of semi-isolation that he knew thereafter, he grew closer and
closer to Rachel. She filled all his needs as Israel failed to supply
them, and he missed neither friend nor neighbor when she was near.
Rachel knew wherein she was more fortunate than other women and her
content and her devotion were beyond measure. So Kenkenes and Rachel
were lovers all the days of their lives.

If ever they grew reminiscent there was one name spoken more tenderly
than any other--the name of Atsu. Kenkenes would grow sad of
countenance and he would look away, but there was no jealousy in his
heart for the tears of Rachel weeping over the task-master who died for
her.

The collar of golden rings became popular in Israel, and, after many
modifications effected by time and fashion, it came at last to be the
insignia of the virtuous woman. For centuries it was worn and no one
knows when the custom died out.

The genius of Kenkenes did not die. His voice enriched with age, and
the rocky vales wherein his flocks wandered had melodious echoes
whenever he followed the sheep. But he never used chisel upon stone
again. His sons were artists after him, but they were handicapped
also. And so it continued for many generations until the Temple of
Solomon was built. Then, though the plans came from the Lord, and
artisans were brought fro