Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-12-15
CHAPTER ".
kri-La.

The wretched life Of Herod was near.
Ing it's end. In a last vain attempt q
| prolOng II, he had gone 10 the warm
! springs at Calirrhoe beyond Jordan
! 20 try the effect OF drinking and bath
ing in the waters there But il was
without avail He was dying by slow
/ putrefactIon' and no healing waters
! could stay the hand Of God from exc
! cutting on him due punishment for his
| many crimes.
Accordingly. he set out 10 return 10
! Jerusalem, but reaching Jericho, he
could 90 no farther, and there he lay
down upon his death bed.
Since the terrible day at Bethlehem,
Sylvanus had plunged into all the ex-
cesses Of the corrupt court OF Herod.
! IN the hope OF gaining respite from
remorse for his evil acts and from grief
at Miriam's loathing Of him. But one
feeling he nursed and encouraged TO
the utmost-hatred for Ezra. Whether
justly or not, he laid on him the blame
for the evil impression OF him which
had been made on Mriams mind. He
was sure that the bloody deed per-
formed by him in Bethlehem, which he
regarded merely as a duty TO Herod,
was construed by Ezra and Miriam
not only as an act Of cruelty but as an
attempt TO destroy the Jewish Messiah
lie was fully aware that they would
not understand or believe that his
point had been directed merely
against the rival Of Herod and hls
line: that he would recognize and ac-
knowledge, as soon as anyone, a prop
erly accredited Christ, coming as ruler
OF the Jews. This he would fain have
the devout Miriam believe, though n
is doubtful II he believed II himself
But he knew that Miriam would not
hold this opinion OF him, or bestow
upon him any thought Of love. as long
as she was under Ezra's influence.
Therefore 70 was not merely as a
rival, but chiefly as an unfavorable
mentor, that he feared and hated his
former friend. Since he would give
anything his life held for the love OF
this girl he was willing 20 do every
thing possible 20 remove this obstacle
70 the accomplishment OF his hopes
But another duty now devolved upon |
him. In the weak imebcillty OF his last |
months Of lie Herod insisted on hav- |
ing Sylvanus as his constant attend. |
ant. This duty was not so trying. as |
long az others shared the watch win |
MIN. But when, as was often the case
he was left In the silent watches OF the
night, alone with the sick man. his
position was one Of most intense fear
and dread. An innocent man would
have been able, without fear. though
not without disgust and loathng 10
watch at such a death-bed; counting
me quickened pulsatlons. lnhallng the
Hereby heated breath, and sitting I'M
DER the foul doors which emaneted
from his loathsome flesh Rut Sui
lanus was not an innocent man. Into
he noisomc waters OF corruptlon ana
murder, which We're surcing about he
hroat OF the wretched Herod. he had
'et his feet, and Il seemed hui n r1of.
Ter Of time until he also would DO s,b.
merged. For the slime and quick sand
y the river bed OF Sin rarely Yields nm
he victim who begins the fatsl en-.
rance into IT'S depths.
Is Il not passing strange that svI.
anus gazing upon diving Uoro5
YOU'D fan 70 read In the tyrant's fate
us own? Who. for the pleasures ana
mbltions Of this life, would ale as
ierod diedf And yet, how many. for