New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20
Esther: A Daughter of Israel.
By VICTORIA CROSS.

flooding all the enchanting circle Of the hills that
lie round the city With rosy light. Low down in
one Of the GeQressions. where the long sun rays
could not reach and the olive trees looked gray
~ the twilight stood the grim white monastery
OF the Holy Virgin The air was sweet and cool
here Ear from the pollution Of the city and the
evening sky stretched calm and radiant above
the purple hills An unbroken quiet reigned.
and only one thing IL the landscape moved-the
figure Of a girl ascending swiftly the narrow
stony road under the shadow OF the wall She
seemed burdeued with many things that she was
fssr for she looked back frequently and then
pressed on with redoubled speed. The stony
track brought her at last TO the corner of the
Enclosure Of olive trees belonging TO the mon
serr-v- Il branchel here. path leading
straight 10 the gates Of the building, the other
skr-tDS the o-iFe wood plantation ana then
rass.-- on, out onto the barren hills and open
country toward Jericho. The girl took the sec
o-E track. and here, under the friendly shade Of
The sheI-eriu- trees, she walked more erect and
easily. When she reached the furthest corner Of
me plantation she stopped and listened, gazing
round her. there was no sound the light was
falling the hush deepening
ali56Ils..' She breathed in clear whisper
leaning on the low stone plantation wall are
A rastuug Of some long robe against bushes
answered her. the olive branches were pushed
aside and the figure Of d Greek priest came from
between them. With a smile Of intense JOY on
his face ne leaned over the wall and clasped the
girls TWO soft hands u his.
Esther" he whispered back, you have
Gomez You have decided then? You are
II am quite ready" answered the girl, press
fr- close 10 the wall and lifting her face; the
last CLEANS Of gold light from the rising ridge
IL The west touched II and showed II was very
fair-"if you are sure 1t IS right; II you have
Tie priests face, pale and euaciated, with the
-ar- look Of the visionary stamped upon H.
I-Hted up suddenly with a new eNalt4tion
u am quite sure Last night when I was pray
i--. s-Iu III doubt. before the great crucl1X,
heard a voice from above saying: Nlcolas, You
gre absOIved from further prayer and penance
o~~r Mi Ia len
serve me IN the world; the JOY Of human hearts
singing 10 me In grateful praise Is more pleasing
90 ne than these grOaus and tears and pray eis
have created the blue sky and the laughing
seas and the green hills; 80 forth and See my
works and praise me
as raPt IS his while he spoke, the ire OF JOY
glowing in her eyes.
Gone then Il once" she nurnUred, in an
ardent whisper. and Nicolas stepped over the
low boundary line into the hill road now
wrapped in darkness Before them still gllm-
Tnered dinly the white outlines Of the monastery
behind the trees. The man stood mOtOnless.
gazing 81 them. the girls hand tightly Clasped
III MS. and held against his breast
The agony and misery l have suffered be
lind those walls" he mutteTed' for sixteen
IN is over rlurrnured the girl Come away
r. the hills. We have no time TO lose"
She stopped 70 gather Up the objects in the
i have brought YOU these things" she said
cc-t-sedly. hardly audibly. Change into them
or. ky. and then follow me up the road No
! take me rest. she ADDED as ne look
the bundle Of clothes she gave him. and
stretched out his hand for the other smaller bun
dies Hasten, Nicolas, il is so dangerous here
With this parting eutreaty she Went on up the
road. carrying the bundles After she had gone
little way she paused and listened All was
quite s-l-; the stars now showed ftfully in the
deele--g purple Of the sky, q little breeze blew
gently uU from the wilderness toward Jerusalem
Tho girl sat down by the wall, with her back
a-a.-st i, and her hands Clasped round her
knees Her face had a strange wonderful
beauty as she sat waiting. white skinned and
softIy moulded. with resOlute dark eyebrows
crLwu -EL- across the calm forehead
A feW moments passed, and then Nicolas ar-
preached. his flowing priests robes were gone;
the nigh straight black hat OF the order was no
longer or MS head; il was bare, and the Ions
CT Lalr. IS the Greeks wear IL was twisted ID
TWO thick fair coils round his head
Esther sr-arg ", christening broad sash
from her waist
.aTaIe this No wait, let me twist f. round
your head Yes, SO. now il looks Ike Jewish
tU-ba-- You have the robe and the hat with
YOU Yes bring them bring them" And they
hurried On. fleeing away from the monastery
Esther knew q short track across the hills
which. ~ a little while joined the great main
road 10 Jericho that desCends down and down.
through the bare, rolling hills OF the wilderness,
70 the fair plain Of the Jordan and the shores
O. the Dead Sea
For the first few miles they sped on n silence
with clasped hands the night wind rushing
against their faces, and no sound coming TO
their ears but the occasional whine Of the
hungry LyeDas prOwling over the stony star
liz hills II the mans breast swelled
alrz-oC beyond all words; il lifted him up so
that his feet seemed flying over the rugged
ground without touching IL The night wind