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

lifted and carried her tenderiy from the
starlit road to a large rock. jutting
out from the hillside. Here. in the
shadow on the further side they lay
down, and the girl fell at once into
the deep sleep of utter bcdiIy- fatigue
The man lay open eyed. clasping her 10
him. his brain on fire with freedom.
listening with joy tc the cries OF the
wandering wild animals among the
hills.
The following evening. late. they
reached the plain. The wilderness lay
behind them. and in front. beyond the
green darkness of the trees. they knew
the starlight was cleaning on the Dead
Sea. The heat down here was suffocat-
ing. and their weary feet moved on
slowly through the village-a collection
of a few white, flat-rOofed houses,
which are all that now mark the spot
where stood once the rich. mighty city
Of Jericho In the last house shone a
light and Esther led Nicholas toward
it, Solomon was waiting for them. and
had prepared for them his best upper
room-a little. narrow apartment, with
windows facing toward the sea. where
supper was laid, and opening from this
a tiny sleeping chamber. A swinging
lsmp hung over the center table. and
SolOmons younger brother waited on
them. Esther, with the dust of the road
washed from her skin. looked very fair.
sitting under the light of the lamp. her
eyes glowing with the mysterious fires
Of love and joy, and the two Jews sat
listening TO her eagerly as she talked to
them. telling them the news OF their
family and friends I'm Jerusalem.
70 oil
sighed the younger man, but l cannot
walk. and have no horse" and he grew
sullen and detected. and said no more.
while the elder continued TO ask and
be answered a hundred questions about
the life and doings OF the city
That night. past midnight, when the
whole plan of Jericho lay wrapped in
deep hush, and not one light cleaned in
the darkness Of the village, a carriage
drawn by two foam-covered horses
Numbered down the last steep descent
of the road from Jerusalem into the vii
iage. and dashed through It straight to
Solomon's dwelling. Esther, asleep in
the upper room. with Nicolas head
pillowed on her shoulder. heard the clat-
ter OF wheels and awoke suddenly, all
her body growing rigid with terror.
Nicolas. awakel They have fol-
lowed usl' She sprang from the bed,
and. opening the window noiselessIy,
looked out. The night was quite dark,
but by straining her eyes she could de-
scry the form Of a covered carriage be-
low. and two dark figures stood ham
mering on the house door The sounds
rang reverberating through the dwell
ing. and disturbing the still. calm air
without. laden with the scent of myrtle
and orange flower window above
opened and the old Jew looked out.
who knocks2'' he called.
Priests from Jerusalem-from the
Monastery of the Holy Virgin. One
whom we seek is within. Let US enter. ="
Esther drew back into the room and
saw Nicolas stading behind her. his
face haggard with despair.
Jehovah then is not with u.s. he
mCttered. Esther pressed his hand.
Esther is with you" she murmured.
softly. You shall not go back; they
shall not touch you. Give me your
priests clothing aud stay here.
Before he could answer she had