Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/167



T was about four o'clock in the morning when Martha was awaked from her sleep by Mary, who stood by her. Weary with the shortness of her rest, she stretched herself heavily; then, with the recollection of the sorrows of the preceding day, that came back to her with a rush, she sat up and, with a bewildered look, brushed back the dark tresses, now streaked with grey, from her forehead.

"I would not wake thee earlier, Martha," Mary said: "but this night I had a dream that Lazarus our brother was risen and stood by me, and thus spake to me: 'I am risen for the glory of God and to show forth His handiwork. '"

"Dost waken me for a dream, Mary?" asked Martha, somewhat fretfully. "Thou art tired and thy thoughts were full of our brother and of the longing for the miracle of his healing."

Nay, but I woke thee not for that alone," said Mary; "but because two messengers from the Lord wait below. The Lord cometh nigh to the city."

Martha stood up at last. This was indeed news calculated to stir her active mind and soothe the anxious craving of her restless heart.

"I will go forth and meet Him," she said, beginning to attire herself in haste. "I will go forth and