ly one letter had reached them--a cheery, hopeful
letter,--but it had been a long time on the way, and the events of which
it told had taken place many weeks before it reached the Jordan valley.
It had told them of Yusuf and Amzi, of the little church, of the
sender's strange meeting with Kedar, and the news he had gathered of
Lois. Then it had told of the war, and had closed with an affectionate
farewell, in which the writer expressed his wish, rather than his
expectation, of being able to make his way to the new home soon.

How long it seemed to Mary since that last word had come! And he was not
home yet! She kept the precious manuscript in her bosom, and twenty
times a day she looked down the long valley for the well-known form. One
morning she sat by the river, idly plashing her bare feet in its golden
ripples, and looking at the shadows on the little stones near the shore.
About her gamboled a pet lamb, and above, a soft blue sky was flecked
with fleecy white clouds. She twirled a sprig of blossoms in her hand,
but her thoughts were far away in dear, hot, dusty, dreary Mecca.

"It is not so pleasant as this, though," she thought, "if Manasseh were
only here."

Just then the tinkle of a camel-bell was heard,--a strange sound in that
secluded spot. Mary looked up, and saw what seemed to be a great many
people coming over the hill, camels bearing shugdufs, too, and
pack-mules, heavily laden.

Trembling, she rushed into the house.

"Oh, mother, what means this? See the people! Manasseh would not bring
all of those with him?"

The mother shaded her eyes with her hand, and looked forth, anxiously.

Nearer and nearer came the train. Who were they? Not Manasseh; Manasseh
would not come so slowly. Can it be? Not Yusuf! Not Amzi! Yes, yes! O
joy! It is they!--and many other familiar faces smile also from the
train!

"Is Manasseh well?"

"Yes, Manasseh is well, and happy."

So questions were asked and answered in joyful confusion; and Nathan
came in from the hills to bid the travelers welcome. Then the dusty,
travel-stained tents were pitched once more, this time on a grassy slope
by the rippling Jordan. A simple repast was spread, and the company
dined in royal state.

With what surprise did Nathan and his household greet the wife of Asru
and her sweet-faced daughter as sisters in Christ, and with what
sympathy did they hear of Asru's sad death!

Then plans for the immediate settlement of the little party were