Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-02

prompt, ringing tone. Line UAu IL ultu WAS
aroused. His fine conscience was throbbing.
At least, truth sat in his soul. To deny his
friend by remaining in false position be-
gan to seem intolerable to him. Better even
to displease Zahara. He had arrived as far
as that. His breath came more freely, and
he lifted his handsome head.
Explain yourself" said the priest curt
ly. Annas had stopped his iordly pace
through the garden, and the two men now
stood still, facing each other beneath a
clump of thick fig trees that hid them from
the view OF the villa.
1.-THE lady," said Lazarus in a low, dis
tinct tone, twas rescued by Jesus, the Naza-
rene"
The face of the High Priest darkened
slowly but perceptibly. He received this
announcement in utter silence.
MY daughter" he observed at length in
a cutting tone, "testifeth otherwise"
Far be it from me-" hurriedly protested
Lazarus, losing something OF the dignity OF
his manner of a moment ago, in the tender
tremulousness of his desire to protect Zahara,
"be it farther from me than from any man
in all the world, to criticise the lady Zahara,
or to question the truth of her words in
whose soul honor itself maketh white
homep'
"Then be so good" said the Priest, some
what Modified, but more than ever keenly
observant of his guest, 'as to explain to me
the discrepancy in your own language.
"The lady," replied Lazarus boldly,
"was, in brief, too nearly dead to know who
bore her from the water. She was uncon-
scious from the shock and exposure. Judg-
ing from her state when did first see her,
1 should say she must have sunk already
twice beneath the waters of Gennesaret.
She was suatched from death itself and laid
upon the shore at my feet, not one moment
too soon, believe me. He who did save her
left her Immediately and departed from me.
restored the lady, and I brought her to
her father. My service to her began and
ended thus and there"
Annas had listened to these words with
emotion, but it was one mixed with dis
pleasure, incredulity and annoyance of the
keenest kind.
"You were probably mistaken" he OBJ
served, Sin the identity of the man who res
cued her."
81 was not mistaken" said Lazarus de-
cidedly, che is my friend. 1 know him
we'll. As we'll could be mistaken in the
identity of one of the Sons of God, if had
met one upon the earth. He who did save
thy daughter was the Nazarene, and none
other; and unto him is thine obligation and
should thy gratitude be due.'
"He swan for her, suppose" remarked
the High Priest coldly. 'He must be good
swimmer"
81 did as much as that myself" urged
Lazarus eagerly, "but the waters beat me
back You should understand that the lake
was whirlpool. know no man who could
swim a stadium upon sea like that and
bear helpless woman on his arm. The
Nazarene trod the sea, as you, sir, do tread
the path of this garden. He arose and
walked and bore the maiden, and stepped
upon the waters and conquered them and
trod as a man treadeth floor, and laid her
on the shore and vanished, and was seen no
more of me or of the maiden. This is the
truth of God," concluded Lazarus, land
do tell it. Do you with me as you see fit. I"
sit is an extraordinary tale," said the
High Priest, not without hesitation. But
his countenance had grown as stern as o
stone intaglio. He turned upon his heel
abruptly and without another word left his
guest stan ding alone beneath the fig tree.
The position of Lazarus at the villa was
now so uncomfortable that he was thor
oughly perplexed. For some days the High
Priest did not again receive his guest. The
builder began his work in silent perplexity.
Zahara was invisible. Lazarus set himself
to his task with an absent mind. Upon the
third day he gathered himself and sent a
dignifed message to his host by voice of the
chief officer of the household; quietly re-
questing permission to be allowed to return
to his khan. Annas responded in person to
this message. His manner was studiedlY
polite; but his eve was cold and guarded.
He began by entreating Lazarus to accept
his further hospitality; adorning the request
with the full flower OF Oriental emphasis, as
etiquette FROM host 70 guest demanded.
Lazarus replied with equal courtesy, but
repeated his desire to leave the villa.
"It occurs to me-" he said, that it may
be more convenient for several reasons, and
1 pray your permission to depart. 1 am too
much in debt to your politeness already"
"The obligation is upon me, and it is
heavy" replied Annas, with much manner,
"and of the pleasure which it gives to en-
tertain you, you must allow me to be the
judge"
II have told you," said Lazarus frankly,
"that you are under no obligation to myself
That burden resteth elsewhere, as did
somewhat tardily explain to you"
SIT is expecting too much of me-" an
swered the high priest, frowning, ''to recog-
nize the obligation to which you refer. 1
prefer to consider yourself as its representa-
tive"
81 must Decline" said Lazarus in low
voice, Ito be the representative of such
benefcence, and such purity of power as far
beyond me as the crown of Olivet is above
the basin of Gennesaret. I must decline in
an sense to represent one of whose least re-
membrance am unworthy"
st is amazing to me-" said the High
Priest in a wary tone, ss'that man of your
intelligence should be thus deluded. The
popular excitement about this fellow is
growing a serious matter. Times are ripen-
ing wherein it may no longer be safe
play of the tongue for people of your sort to
allude in this way to so dangerous a politi-
cal charater."
"I must beg you to understand" replied
Lazarus, "that indulge in no play of the
tongue when do mention the name of him
whom above all human beings I do revere. -
'There are those 1 am told," suggested
the priest suavely, "who do not regard this
pretender as precisely what may be called a
human being. learn that he sets forth i'm
perious and awful claims. Know you of
them?"
''Of that to which you refer 1 know
naught," answered Lazarus distinctly. The
two men looked each other narrowly in the
eye. Lazarus was poor disciple in those
days; but at least he was no traitor. He
proceeded, with fearless voice, to say:
"As concerneth his politics, know
naught of them either. I have never re-
garded Jesus of Nazareth as politician. E"
GAS what, then, have you regarded him?"
demanded the High Priest.
GAS the very best man, the wisest public
benefactor, the tenderest consoler, and the
truest friend ever knew" responded Laz-
arus solemnly. "But, as for me, am not
worthy to testify so much as these poor
words concerning him. As have told you,
1 have been preoccupied-I have not ac-
quainted myself of late, as should have
done, with his AFFAIRS
$50 much the better for you'll" said An
mas, sharply. ''See to it, Sir Builder, that
you drop this acquaintance, and you may
find that the time cometh when you will
thank me for word of advice, which is the
least / can offer to the rescner of my