The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

snatched up the garments in her arms
and was gone, fastening the door be-
hind her Outside on the stairway she
met old Solomon coming slowly down
TO answer the imperative summons from
below
Delay all you can in admitting
them" she whispered, and then ran past
him, fleet Of foot. up the stairs 10 the
Jews room. The door stood open. as
Solomon had left il. She entered and
stood within the darkness.
Hiram she called, softly. you
wished to go up to Jerusalem. Now is
your opportunity. Get up. Put on these
things. and the priests will take YOU
back with them in their carriage.
She heard the man rise and bound TO
the floor.
rs that you. Esther? Fave they sent
from the monastery to take Nicolas?''
Yes" returned Esther. in an agonized
voice; but you will not let them take
him! See. Hiram. they cannot hurt
you. They will not recognize you nor
suspect you here in the darkness in the
dress Of Nicolas. You need not speak /;
they viii hasten you into the carriage.
Tomorrow. when they discover you. it
viii be too late for them TO overtake
US. We shall be gone. and you-they
viii not want you. They cannot put
you in their monastery. They must re-
lease you. and you-will be at the gates
OF Jerusalem
Her low voice thrilled with her agony
of fear and suspense; there was the
very soul Of persuasion in IT, AS she
pleaded in the darkness she heard the
man breathing quicklySand shutting his
feet on the floor. He was hesitating.
He longed to go up to the city, but this
seemed a dangerous expedient Yet 1t
would serve Esther, and she was very
fair. and of his own kindred. There was
noise and clamor downstairs beneath
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 carriage, ] viii throw myself into
your arms. and you shall kiss me your
last farewell as If you were Nicolasr'
In the darkness she felt that the man
stretched out his hand.
Give me the clothes-I will CO."
Esther threw them into his arms. and
darted out. closing the door. and hung
over the stair rail. There was no light.
but she could hear the heavy footsteps
coming up. Nearer they came. and
nearer, stumbling. and Solomon's sep
behind, as he followed the priests, grum-
bling and protesting. Now they were
almost opposite the door OF the room
where Nicolas crouched 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 IL guarding il. her
arms outstretched before it. The Hrst
priest puzzled her roughly on one side
The secoTtd opened the door. and be-
yond. dimly outlined against the open
window square. was visible the draped
figure and heavy hat of priest With
a shout of triumph they darted for
ward, and Esther gave a great CRY of
wild despair. The priests dragged him
out unresisting, and forced him down
the stairs. No word came from him
Solomon, leaning back against the wall
TO let them pass, stretched out his hand
TO the weeping Esther, but she passed
him, crying and hurrying after her
lover. Down I'm the passage the large
door stood wide open. showing the wait
ing carriage in the dim starlight of the