Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-31
CHAPTER XII.
At Masaarah.

Rachel had seen Kenkenes but twice in
many weeks.
one mid-mornng the oxen were unyoked
from the water cart and led ambling up to
the nit where a monolith. too huge to be
moved by men alone, had been taken forth
and was to be transferred to the Nile. the
bearers carried water directly from the
river during this time. and 1t was given
Rachel to govern them IN the departure
from the routine.
Suddenly she became aware that some
one approached through the grain ana
when she raised fer head she looked w
into the face of Kenkenes. 1t was kenkenes.
indeed but Kenkenes in robes of rushing
linen and trapp.ngs of gold Never hao
she seen so stately an Egyptian, nor any
SO entitled to the name of noblemah' III
ouick succession she experienced the NOV
ing sensations of surprise. pride IN hliii'
and depression. The last fell on her WI VI.
the instant recollection of duty, when ms
face bent appealingly over hers Irempiil,s'
she turned away from him. and when she
looked again, he was returning TO memphis,
Time came and went and weeks passed
and he came not again Late one sui 10
while there yet was daylight, she ielt tne
camp merely that she might wander down
the valley to the same spot where at tlie
same hour. she had met kenkenes on tna'
last occasion of talk between them
Moving slowly down the shadows, she
saw a figure approaching. The stature OF
the newcomer identified him Inc heau
was up the step slow. the peariils en-
nectant In the one scant lapse between
two throbs of her heart, Rachel knew her
lover remembered all the power OF ms az
traction and realized that her JOY ana loVe
could carry her beyond her fortltuae anu
resolution. 49,, .,xoa
Just ahead of her. not farther than three
PAGES a long fragment of rock had laiie,
from above and ie3ned aeat fas.,,a eae NV It's
There was an ample space formed by us
slant against the cliff and almost peIore
she knew ii she had crept into TINS creVice.
Covering in the dusk. sne eIu.sie nte nt ye'
There was no sound of his steps on the
rough roadway OF the valley and though
she watched eagerly from her hiding pi ,
she did not see him pass. Alter lohs
time she emerged. He was gone. 60,
When she looked in the dust she found
that his footprints turned not far from hei
hiding place and led toward the Nlle.
SIZE knew then that he had seen her
v6en She had caught sight of him: and
failing to meet her as he had e is,e ""'
guessed she had hidden from MIN. ~.
The next morning Rachel followed tne
children to the Nile Crossing the nelu,
absorbed in her trouble. she did not near
the beat of hoofs or the grind OF wheeis
until she was face to face with the M, "a.
t@ndants of a company of characters. the
tIoop of water-carriers had scattered OUT
OF the roadway and each little bronzed
Israelite was bending with ms riGht hali1
upon his left knee in token OF proiouho
respect Rachel hastily joined them
Vixen she looked again the retlhue VI
servants had passed AFTER tneh1 I, oanti
within By the anuulets over ms teihple
and the frnged ribbons pendent Iheieiioh
the Israelite knew him TO he royal -,
Rehind a second chariot was driven ny
q einpie occupant. who wore the badges of
prircehoOd also &c ,a,,. drawn
by two prancing cOal-black horses wnose
feathers and housings shone ana Jihsneu;;
Rnchel's eyes met those of the driver anu
tine nfe-current froze in her veins. har-ha...
fan-bearer 10 the Pharaoh. late governor oi
RtIbastis drew up his horses and calmly
surveyed her. The action halted the char-
lots of a dozen courtiers following MIN
One by one they came to standsulI, anu
each man peered around MS pfeuecessoi
mill the fan-bearer became conscious OF
th, pawing horses behind him. lie grove
out of line and alighted. With an apoic-
getic wave of his hand he motioned me Pre-,
cession to proceed. and busted hiI1seir Win
the harness as if he had found breakage
Those that had passed were by TINS time
some distance ahead, and missing uie
grind of wheels in their wake. looked BACK
THE fan-bearer beckoned to one of the at
tendants who had gone before, and the man
returned.
Meanwhile the procession moved on. and
the mobiles glanced first at the fan-bearer
and next at the Israelte. But Athor, IN the
niche on the hillside, was not more white
and stony than its living model IN the val
ley. There was no retreat. The fan-bearer
stood between her and the Nile, his servant
between her and the quarries. She felt the
sickening numbness that stupefies one who
realizes a terrible strait, from which there
is neither succor nor escape.
The procession passed. and the servant,
hating bowed to his master. He was short
and fat thick of neck and long of arm-a
most unusual Egyptian. Har-hat tossed him
the reins. and. walking around his horses,
approached Rachel. The smallest Hebrew
too small to be awed and yet old enough
TO realize that the beloved Rachel was in
danger, dropped the hide he bore. and,
nuging himself before her. clasped her
with his arms and turned defiant face at
Har-hat over his shoulder. The fan-bearer
paused.
1t is the very same" he said laughngly.
THE hard life of the quarries hath not rob-
bed thee in the least of thy radiance. But
BY the gambling god, 10th, thou didst take
risk Dost dream what thou didst miss
through a malevoient caprice of the Ha-
thors? Five months ago | would have taken
thee out of bondage into luxury but for an
industrious taskmaster and the unfortunate
interference of a royal message. But the
Seven Sisters repent. and find thee again"
Rachel had fixed her eyes upon the
white walls of Memphis shining in the
morning sun. and did not seem to hear
him.
Nay. now. slight me not, 1t was the
fault of the taskmaster and not mine. 1
confess the charm of distant Memphis,
but il is more glorious within it's walls.
l am come to take thee thither. Thank
me with but "A look, pray thee"
Seeing she did not move nor answer, he
tilted his head to one side and surveyed
her with interest
Hath much soft persuasion surfeited
thee into Deafness" The color surged
up into Rachels face
"Ha," he exclaimed. not so, Perhaps
thou art but reluctaH.. then" He whirled
upon the other children, covering behind
him.
is she wedded?' he demanded.
Frightened and trembling. they did not
answer till he repeated the question and
stamped his foot. Then of them
shook his head.
1t is well. l need not delay till slave
husband were disposed of in the mines.
Hither. Unas,"a
The fat serNltor came forward
Il know this taskmaster not, nor can
coax or press him into giving her up
without the cursed formality of a docu-
ment of gift from the Pharaoh. Get thee
back to Memphis with this" he drew off
n signet ring and gave it To the servitor,
land TO the palace. There have my scribe
draw up prayer to the Pharaoh. crav-
ing for me the mastership over the Israel
lite Rachel-for household service" The
fan-bearer laughed Forget not this
latter phrase. else the Pharaoh might
fancy J would take her to wife. Haste
thee and bring back Max and Hebset
with thee to row the boat back and help
thee fetch her She may have n lover
h. Lob - l..