Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-26


s;Behold." +" he said at last, turning sud-
denly. 'she is gone. She is blotted from
existence. The law condemneth me not, if
1 kill what have created. Does that please
you, Zahara?"
"It concerneth me not, /" said Zahara in
low voice.
"Thou needest not to remind me of that"
urged Lazarus. "Too well know the truth.
Too sad truth it is. ="
But" suggested Zahsra timidly, eff 1
were that girl-that carved grill do not
think it would please me to be killed and
forgotten so soon, sir builder,
'Zaharal cried Lazarus in voice of rap
ture.
"Zaharal Zaharar" called one of her
women from within.
Zanara made quick movement with both
of her fine hands; it was gesture of entreaty.
it was gesture of dismissal; it was wilful,
tender, capricious, untranslatable action.
Lazarus stood gazing steadfastly after her.
But Zahara had gone.
That evening before the workmen de-
parted the stiff rustling of the priestly robe
announced to the builder for the first time
since he had begun his work the presence of
AnnRs. The artists and carpenters bowed
with reverence before the High Priest, LaZ-
arus saluted him respectfully.
81 come to observe your repairs" re-
marked Annas. 'They have given me sat-
isfactlon hitherto. It is q workmanlike
undertaking, honestly executed and well
conceived"
Lazarus silently bowed.
"You will not find it too long q task,
infer?" inquired the High Priest, politely.
mot beyond a week further" quickly
replied Lssarus As he spoke the words he
felt sick sinking at the heart, never known
before to the sensation of his peaceful and
uneventful life. A week? Only a weekl
Then was Zahara no more liable to cross the
orbit of his life than Annas the High
Priest to invite him to supper.
'Of course, wish the work thoroughly
finished, continued Annas, with a keen
look. "Even at the cost Of a few extra
denarii if need were. 1t is too good a mat
ter not to be perfect one"
"I need no more time, replied Lazarus
slowly. 4 struggle set in upon his nature.
How easy to prolong the period of service
at the palace-the period of delight and
denial within the blessed possibility of her
presence who was becoming to him, he felt
at that moment, incredibly, unbearably
dear. The longing of the lover bsttled
with the conscience of the artisan. Lazarus
felt that he never knew before the meaning
OF sense of honor.
mo" he repeated firmly, mo. The
work can be done within the period agreed.
Why should 1 intrude upon your court
esv?"
t'You are an honorable person." observed
the High Priest, graciously.
'T have enjoyed the work." conceded
Lazarus, SIT would have been agreeable to
me had the palace required my service fur
ther. 1t does not"
"At some future day it may do so," con-
tinued Annas urbanely. Lazarus felt his
lip tremble and his color change. He bent
over a tool and tried its edge upon his
finger.
"Your pollteness is beyond my deserts"
he replied with Oriental suavity. At that
moment he felt an emotion perfectly new TO
him; a sense of kindliness to the old man
replaced his instructive antagonism; the
father of Zahara became interesting to him.
"You have wounded your finger upon the
tool, Z" observed Annas.
''It is nothing" said Lazarus, binding the
blood with embarrassment.
"What, pray, is your design at this
point ?" inquired Annas, critically observ-
ing the carving of the pillar. He placed
his priestly finger upon the spot where
the little ''graven image" of Zahara had
been changed Qike heather dryad) into a
waving tree. 90.
1.-THE foliage appears to me thick in this
spot" continued Annas, ''Is It a Greek
imagination 2"
sit is my own design" said Lazarus with
heightened color. Annas gave the builder
searching look-who could have said
why? For certainly no suspicion of the
truth could by possibility have been ap-
parent to the High Priest. Both men felt
uncomfortable.
"You are Pharisee, understand" said
Annas abruptly changing the subject.
"Such is my ecclesiastical position" re-
turned Lazarus, with dignity.
Know you aught OF these popular dis
turbances-these religious riots-ot the peo-
pie? You seem to be q man of intelligence,
in some respects above your situation in life.
Have you familiarity with these pretenders
these false prophets and idols of the popu-
lace who lead them astray like sheep shep-
herded by wolves?"
"I know none SUCH" answered Lazarus
proudly.
''There is one-he calleth himself the Pro-
phesied, he naneth the sacred name of the
Messiah he teacheth as a Rabbi, and
assumeth to perform the miraculous, be-
witching the people vainly. Know you this
man?'
II know none such, repeated Lazarus
firmly.
''I refer" said the High Priest, ito the
Nazarene; know you the man?"
Intimately, "said Lazarus without mo-
ment's hesitation. "I both know and do
revere him"
"Surely," said the High Priest with Sc
verify, you put no trust in his preposterous
claim?"
At this moment the light flashed before
the face of Lazarus, and faint perfume of
altar of roses filled the hot air. Zahara,
robed in silver-wrought white, veiled in pale
purple gauze, foated up to her father and
laid her small hand upon his arm.
$50 thou within, my child" said the
priest with a caressing frown, '1 do dis
course with the builder"
"Let ue stay" pleaded Zahara; ''I will
not interrupt thee. but pass across the
court to give an order to my women. Let
me stay moment, father"
Her brilliant eyes, moving above her veil
like suns above cloud, turned slowly
toward the builder. In them not a scintilla
of recognition burned. Zahara leaned nom
chalantly against her fathers arm. She
was the portrait of Indifference. Lazarus
returned her glance with deterrent distance.
His heart leaped within him that she gave
herself this little play before her father;
she cherished q petty secret between them
| she, Zaharal He set his teeth with the
struggle of concealment and covered his
ardent eye with soft film of remoteness.
He drew himself together manfully and
took up the conversation where Zahara had
snapped it.
Concerning the Nazarene," he began
"Oh," INTERRUPTED Zahara disdainfully,
the NaZarener'
Lazarus ceased abruptly. His sensitive
color left him.
"Continue," ordered the High Priest.
"Art thou then of his rabble-one of his
people?"
Zahara regarded Lazarus now quite