Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

,bably complex one. For one thing,
excitement caused by these two memor-
bic cures was enormous. Jerusalem felt 1t,
md Bethany thrilled with it. A hint OF
the probable presence of the Healer would
have turned the village into q camp, and the
bridal party into the center of a mob. True,
il might have been a mob of respectable in
Ientions enough; but every poor wretch
within call would have swelled it; cripples
and lepers crawled in the bridal train OF
Ariella; and as to Jesus himself, who could
say what would have been done unto him
BY the clamorous people? They were capa-
bic of snatching him to death or to
throne.
As the marriage train approached the
house OF the bridegroom, a traveller coming
from the direction of Jerusalem observed it
at a distance, and stopped suddenly. 1t was
the beautiful custom of the Jews that who
ever met the bride or the burial party should
turn his steps and follow it. Etiquette re-
quired this courteous act of every stranger,
no less than any friend. He who stood
watching the bridal procession of Ariella
and BSruch was a grave and weary man,
with the aspect of one who had Travelled lar
and needed rest. He had a certain home
less look, pathetic to see, which showed
itself in his very attitude, aud the SLOW, sad
motion of the head which he turned to view
the happy scene. His first purpose seemed
to be to shrink from it, step into the shadow
of trees by the roadside, and there remain
concealed. This be did for such space OF
time as the procession required to pass him.
No person observed him. When the bridal
train had swept by him, the man stepped
forth and followed il. He walked at a lit
tie distance, slowly, amost shyly, making
no sign of his presence. This man was the
Nazarene. When Ariella put her foot
across her husbands house, he stood still
and extended his hand in silent bene-
diction. Having given this mute and beau
tiful expression of his sympathy with the
happiest marriage that Judea had known
for many wear, he returned as he had
come: and no man had knowledge of his
presence.
When Lazarus and Zahara came forth
from the suDterranean passage at the alarm
of the slave no person but Abraham was
found to be in sight. Lazarus deity and
swiftly replaced the slide and drew the
thick grape vine closer to it. The night
was verv dark. The rain beat against the
vine, and dropped heavily from leaf to leaf
upon the trembling form OF Zahara, who
shrunk within the frail shelter, not daring
to venture she knew not what. Lazarus,
having exchanged a few whispered words
with Abraham, said abruptly:
'Zanara my own, there is no gainsaying
the matter, we must part and that at once.
One kiss, my love- one more, one more, one
more. Now return thou to the palace of
thy father, with all speed. Rebecea awaits
thee at the upper terrace. I go, but 60
not too far to watch for thy safety, and see
that thou makest thy way to thy hand
maiden unmoleSted."
They clung, and parted. Each felt what
neither dared to say, that this might be their
last meeting. They clasped and sobbed
and turned their faces from each other and
went their ways. Lazarus and Abraham
ran along the terrace, keeping close into the
shadow till they were beyond immediate
slave to the highway, Lazarus concealed
himself in some shrubbery and watched the
palace and its spacious grounds.
At 6rst he could see nothing, it was so
dark and the storm beat so in his face.
Suddenly, a light flashed, and went out. 1t
was single torch, e1tinguished by quick
order; but the mUmentary CLEAN had re-
vealed the figure of the High Priest. fol-
lowed by guard, Annas was searching
the grounds.
From his hiding place, Lazarus could
hear occasional voices, but no words. Moth
ing was to be seen or heard of Zahara. La
Presently, the sound of quick, light feet
ran across the wet terrace. A woman's gar
ments futtered in the storm. The shrill
voice of Rebecca called to the High Priest:
''My lord, 1 bear thee good tidings. l
have found my mistress, the lady Zahara. /
She sleepeth soundly on a cushion in the
inner chamber of the women's apartments.
She hath SO hidden herself behind a curtain
that did overlook her-I pray thee, pardon
me, my lord, and hasten TO her, for she
waketh and awaiteth thy commands"
The torch fared out again. The High
Priest and his guard, none too amiably,
patroIed the grounds and returned to the
palace. Lazarus fancied that they fingered
at the mouth of the underground passage
too long; but he dared not stay to decide this
point. He made his own escape (in the
darkness this was not a matter OF difficulty,
and gained the public road unobserved, and
so across the valley and the mountain,
drenched and dreary, he reached home and
drew breath.
Danger for the present was over. But the
result of this alarm was serious enough.
Lazarus dared not for Zahara's sake, re-
peat their audacious meetings, until all sus-
picion. if any existed, were worn from the
mind OF the High Priest, by time. The
lovers were now entirely separated. Beyond
an occasional message ventured through
their confidential slaves, they had no COM
munication. Winter set in. Zahara re-
mained or was retained closely in the palace
of her father. 1t seemed to Lazarus that
death could not be worse than this. He
grew ghastly.
One day be sent her a scroll on which was
jncribed:
'If have thee not die"
Zahara responded by piece of pspyrus
on which was written:
"Live thou for Zahara."