New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20

There was a noise and clamor downstairs be
meath them; the sound of the slow unbarring Of
bolts and angry voices without. Esther drew
nearer, and her voice grew sharp with fear.
Hiram, as they are pushing you to the car
rage, l viii throw myself into your arms, and
you snau KISS me your last farewell as II you
were Nicolas" In the darkness she felt that
the man stretched out his hand.
Give me the cOthes-I will go"
Esther threw them into his arms and darted
out, closing the door, and hung the stair
rail There was no light but she could hear
the heavy footsteps coming up. Nearer they
came, and nearer, stumbling. and SOlOmOns
step behind, as he followed the priests grumbling
the door Of the room where Nicolas croucheo
waiting.
He is not here, he is not here" walled out
ESther'S voice suddenly from above, and the
priests, hearing her, rushed up the stairs to
where she stood, passing by, forgotten, the door
of the lower room. Rigid and tense, she stood
before the door, as if guarding it. her arms out
stretched before it. The first priest pushed her
roughly one side. The second opened the
door and beyond, dfmly outlined against the
open window square, was visible the draped
figure and heavy hat Of a priest With shout
of triumph they darted forward and Esther
gave a great cry Of wild despair The priests
down the stairs. No word came from him.
Solomon, leaning back against the wall TO let
them pass, stretched out his hand to the weep
ing Esther, but she passed him, crying and
hurrying after her lover Down in the passage
the large door stood wide open, showing the
waiting carriage in the dim starlight Of the
suItry night AS they pushed him TO the door,
he suddenly WreSted himself free for an instant,
and Esther rushed into his arms. oh Nicolas!
Nicolas. goodby." The priests seized her by the
shoulder, wrenching her away. and one hurled
her with fury Of loathing back into the dark
ness Of the passage. Then they forced their
prisoner forward stumbling, resisting to the
carriage The door snapped TO. the horses
plunged forward. and the carriage Numbered
away into the night Esther picked herself UP
from where she had fallen IN the passage, and,
bruised and trembling but with a joyous smile,
rushed up the narrow stairway.
Solomon" she said, whispering IN the old
Jews ear, Hiram has gone in the dress Of
NicOlas-NicoIas is safe here: OH help US to get
TO the scar Solomon shook with laughter as he
heard. for Jew loves dearly q clever ruse and
he stroked Esthers soft hair as she stood by
him.
Light US lamp, dear Solomon, and let Us
get away to the shore, that we can embark and
be away on the water at the dawn. before they
discover il and return"
Then she passed by him and entered the room
where Nicolas awaited her.
Solomon trimmed a lamp and a lantern for
them and put up some bread and meat for their
journey, his shoulders shaking with inward
chuckles as he did
Hiram q priest" he repeated to himself
THAT is a joke, indeed! And Esther. what q
quick brain she hasa true daughter of Israeli
And Esther was TnuTmUring within to Nicolas:
Jehovah has saved US: now let US hasten down
to the sea-"
The next morning, when the dawn broke soft
and rosy over the fair plain Of Jericho. the sea
that is called the Dead Sea, yet seems in its
glorious wealth of color and sparkling brilliance
to be rather the emblem Of life, glOwed and
flashed like a huge sapphire in the suns rays
And at it's calm edge that meets the shore with
out ripple swayed gently the ship Of the pill
grims from the Jewish colony on the further
shore Nicolas and Esther sat side by side
watching the pilgrims oars dip quietly in per-
feet rhythm as they sang. And the song Of
praise went up through the golden air, and
echoed back to the sunny silent strand vanishing
behind them.-CThe King.