Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-16
CHAPTER XII.
A STORM IN GALILEE,

A STORM IN GALILEE.
1t was sunset at Capernaum. The lake
was quite smooth. She carried a broad
sheen of colors upon her quiet face and
looked more like huge tinted sail spread
to dry among the hills, than the vixen sea
she was. CRpernaum was a thriving place,
being on the high road from Damascus to
the South, and gay with travellers and sum-
mer residents. 1t was the favorite watering
place of Jerusalem and the sun-smitten
country round about 1t was q picturesque
place, with effective houses built of black
and white stones, and 9 csressing scenery
decorated and tapestried with myrtles, rock
rose, tamarisk, acacia and oleanders. In
fact, Capernaum had many of these points
appreciated by wealthy people in search of
summer houses; and, when united to q lake
breeze, literally paid for.
Upon the heights at the northwest end of
the town stood one stately villa conspicuous
Tor its elegance. The stones which composed
it were of white and rose, outlined with
black upon the facade; the architecture was
inspiring, if not posing, the grounds ex-
teusive and literally cultivated, and the
whole place had the unmistakable air of un
grand Seigneur.
Walking in the fruit garden at the cool
of the day, like the Almighty after creation
an old man viewed his country seat with
elderly and opulent satisfaction. His ven-
cradle beard flowed to his breast. His i'm
portant costume had dignity of its own.
His well-kept, not to say well-fed, hand
fatty took on the gesture of benediction as
he moved among his family and slaves His
comfortable eye wandered over the hills and
the sea to return easily to the little horizon
of his villa, which he regarded with the su-
preme complacency of wealth and position
and ease from affairs. 1t was known in
Jerusalem that the High Priest was at
home at his country seat in Cspernaum for
a matter of some weeks.
Upon the sea OF Galilee, at that calm and
alluring hour, a pretty painted shallop,
rowed by slaves, and we'll filled with women,
attracted much attention. Galilee was
crowded with sails. She always was But
this sultry and silent evening had added the
pleasure-seekers to the bresd-seekers, the
summer guests to the fishermen.
The little feet was so great that boats be-
came entangled at the landings and beaches,
and had there been breeze, skillful steer
ing would have been needed to avoid collis-
ion in sailing. But of breeze there was
hardly enough to stir the pretty toys of the
ple&SuIG-D6ODlG,
fishing boats. One hoated that evening,
drifted, idled, dreamed, but did not expect
to sail.
The lady, mistress of the gay shaIIop-
which, by the way, wore purple sail and
was tied or trimmed with golden ropes-sat
among the maidens haughtily. She seemed
dissatisfied and distraite.
'It is a dull place, this Capernaum, she
said. "Why did we come, Rebecca?"
''Itlwill be:livelier when the new wing is
added to the villa, replied Rebecca.
THAT does not follow" said Zahara, in
differently, "Who buildeth the wing? NV
father hath omitted to mention to me. It
should be decently done, at least, IL we have
to spend the summer here
But Rebecca did not know who should
build the wing. She understood that be
who die repair the palace at home had
other engagements and was not expected;
but that the work should be begun at once
by somebody, the damsel knew, for behold
the tents of the workmen, erected yonder on
the hill. They had arisen since the spring
Of tO-day's sun, said Rebecca.
'It does not matter" said Zahara. She
looked idly at the little group of tents which
Rebecca pointed out behind the villa of
Annas. The shining water lay between.
Zshsra glanced across it, and then gazed into
it. Her brilliant face had a subdued, gen.
tie expression. Life seemed unimportant to
the High Priests daughter. For the first
time in her history, Zahara was sad.
"It is q stupid sea, said Zahara, land
what stupid boatl One might as well
90 home and take nap on prayer-rug.
Bid the fellows take the oars, for we shall
drift all night Get out the oars and have
me rowed across to the other shore 1 desire
to see new wave, if nothing more is posi-
l. - vvha
At the moment when this order was Civ
en-, and the rowers of the lady's boat took to
their oars and made marked course away
from the rest of the pleasure-heet heading
across the lake, young man came out of
one of the tents which Rebecca had pointed
out to her mistress and walked rapidly down |
to the beach. His eyes were on the water,
but no special interest in anything be saw |
appeared upon his countenance, until BY |
chance he overheard a bystander observe |
carelessly:
Yonder is her shallop."
short, (which one?''-Yes, 1 see. The sail |
is sail Of purple. Is that the lady's shall |
lOp?"
''Verily, yes,'' said the bystander, ''she |
goeth to the opposite shore. She is rowed |
BY the slaves of her father"
The young man bowed and passed on. His |
eyes now sought the water as king COM
mandeth the world. His face had grown /
vivid and beautiful. His lips moved ten
Derby underneath his bright beard. His |
eyes melted. He breathed, but did not
the work:
''ZaharaP'
For Annas was a cautious man, not aecus-
toned to make known his purposes to the
women of his household and Rebecca was
entirely unacquainted with the fact that the
master builder, Lazarus, had accepted the
job upon the villa; and would himself over
see it; having quartered his men in tents
upon the hillside, and taking lodgings for
himself at the Khan, or village inn.
Lazarus had done this with precipitation,
almost without reflection. When the sum-
mons came from Annas, whose fancy had
lightly forgotten the proposed repairs at the
palace, and substituted others in his villa
with the facile absorption of a man in his
country seat, the builder had responded
with such promptness that the High Priest
took quick advantage of the situation to
beat him down to an easy price. Lazarus