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up like disconnected threads and woven into one — the story of Naaman the Syrian. Naaman was commander-in-chief of the Syrian army and a prime favorite at the court of his sovereign. He had fought and bled in his country's cause and repelled the attacks of the neighboring Israelites. But with all his glory and wealth he was most unhappy, for under his rich uniform he hid a loathsome leprosy. His position in the army and at court he still retained, for his malady was in its initial stages and known only to his heartbroken wife and sympathetic king. Now, in one of their border raids the Syrians took some Israelites prisoners, and among them a little girl who became maid to Naaman's wife. In one of those confidences not uncommon between mistress and scr-. vant, the little one learned of her master's affliction, and promptly declared that if he would but go to the great prophet Eliseus, in her dear native land, he would certainly be cured. How often the true faith or the grace of God finds an entrance to the homes of the unbelieving or the wicked through the word or example of a pure, honest and devout Catholic maid! Verily, God hath sent them into exile for the conversion of the nations, and hath revealed to these little ones truths which He hath hid from the worldly-wise and prudent. His wife told Naaman and Naaman told the king, with the result that presently the commander-in-chief departed with a troop of cavalry and $60,000, and a letter from his king to the king of Israel. The latter on the cavalcade's arrival was much disturbed, suspecting that the Syrian's request of such