Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-01

limestone wastes
kenkenes had risked his suggestions to
the single Nubfan, and their effect upon
nin gave the young sculptor some hope
tnat the pursuing force had been limited
TO these three Though the men along the
1 rsne acre acre NOT within call. they would pre-
vent night into Memphis. and the camp OF
the israelites, If not similarly picketed,
would oIer security only for the moment.
why had not the Hebrews protected her in
the beginning? He would get to a place of
perfect safety first and learn all concerning
this matter INNS
After an hours cautious lodging from
s ,.1 to shelter. through the masses of
rocks. they toiled up the great ridge of
nils deep into the desert Rachel wouId
nave gone on and on, but Kenkenes drew
ner INTO the shadow of great rock and
stepped ssos 10 listen; The oppressive silence
was unDroken. Far and near ONLY gray
wastes of hills heaved in heated solifude
about them.
SIT here In the shadow and rest, he said
shall keep watch"
ne cleared space for her among the
oeDrls at the base of the great fragment
anu pressed her down in the place he had
mace: Next he undd his belt and fastened
Anubis to boulder too heavy for the ape
70 move The animal resented the confine-
ment; and Kenkenes. tying him by force
r ruu,lo IN MN! me forepaws the collar of golden
rings. with murmur of satisfaction the
young man reclaimed the necklace and
thrust it into the bosom of his dress,
w men ne arose the day grew dark before
him. and he was obliged to steady himself
against the rock till the vertigo nasssd
his assailants had hurt him more than he
mad thought. But he took UP his vigil and
ihaHtained It faithfully till all sense of
danger had vanished
Rachel. who had been watching his fare
10, his hand at last and babe him rest
a int invitation was welcome, and with a
sigh he sat down beside her.
Lie down." she said. softly "rbou b.st
oeen most cruelty misused and all for mel"
Opedientiy, he slipped from a sitting to a
recumpent posture. She put out her arm
his h supporting MIN. seemed about to take
MS mead into her lap. Instead. she slinned
me mantle from the strap that bound il
across his shoulders. and rolling If swiftly
mage The a aI Pillow oft for his head.
Inc wallet that had hung by the Same
strap over his shoulder attracted her aIieno
.ioh ana she guessed that it had been used
as carrier for provisions She laid If
oEeh ana TOOK out the water bottle The
pith.stopper had held, during all the violent
motion, and the dull surface of the norous
ana ever-eooling pottery was cold and wet
ohe put the bottle to his lips and after he
''a S, VI nk oatned his bruises most tenderly
ouccumolng to the gentle influence of her
nIrgers. he put UP his hands to take them,
Out they moved out of his reach in the
ncst natural manner possible He could
nor feel that she had purposely avoided his
touch. but he made no further attemnt
wren the soothing fingers returned Final
~ he raised himself on his elbow and sun
poIleu ms head n his hand.
Now, l am new again." he said. s.once.
more ready to nelp thee. Let us take conn
sci together and get into safety and COM
1ort. lie paused moment till his serious
words would not follow with unseeming
promptness upon his light tone
know thy trouble Rachel he began
again soberly There is no need that thou
shouids: hurt myself by the telling. But
there are details which would be helpful
In aiding thee if had them in mind Thou
knoWest better than l. Wilt thou aid me?"
Her golden head dropped till her face
was bowed upon her hands. After little
with shame
This man sought to take me before. at
Pa-Ramesu, but Atsu learned of it in time
and sent me to Masaarah This morning l
met him again." She paused and Ken
keneS aided her.
Aye, can guess-poor affronted childr'
"Atsu meant to escape with me again,
but the servants of the nobleman came be-
fore we could get away
Kenkenes knew by her choice of words
that she did not know the name of her per-
secutor and he did not tell her what it
was He could not bear the name of Har-
hat on her lips. She went on, after little
silence.
Il came" she began, coloring deeply,
"to leave thy collar with the statue-I did
not expect to find thee there
How little it takes to dispirit a lover. How
could he know that any thought had led her
to do that thing save an impulse actuated
by Indifference or real dislike? His hope
was Immediately reduced to the lowest ebb.
The mention of the taskmaster's name
brought forward the probability of rival.
Il can take thee back to Atsu," he said
slowly. These menialS will not remain
In the hills after sunset, and under cover
of night l slip thee. by strategy, past
any sentries they may have set and get
thee to AtSu, l, by my sacrilege, and he
by his INSTRUMENTATION are both under ban
of the law, but danger with him will be
sweeter danger than peril with me- doubt
not
She looked at him. and the hurt that be-
gan to show on her face gave place to
puzzlement
us it not SOP he asked with bitter
smile. THE companionship of ones be-
loved works wonders out of heavy straits!'
But Dost thou? Atsu is naught to
me- she cried. her grave face Frightening.
The blood surged back to his cheek and
the life into his eyes. He leaned toward
her, ready to ask for more enlightenment
concerning her conduct, when she went
on dreamiIy: But he is wondrous kind
and hath made the camp bright with his
humanity. Israel loveth Atsu.''
Kenkenes turned again to the perplexity
in hand
Il came this morning to ask thy permits
sion to give thee thy freedom. 1 doubt
not Israel of Masaarah. hidden in niche
in the hills. does not dream that it is the
plan of the Pharaoh-nay, the heir to the
crown of Egypt by the mouth of the Pha-
raoh-to exterminate the Hebrews" Rach-
ell recoiled from him.
What sayest thou?" she exclaimed, her
voice sharp with terror
NAY, forgive met" he said penitently.
80 intent was 1 on thy rescue that r
forgot to soften my words. Let 1t be.
It is said: would 1t were not true.
Her alright was only mOmentary, for
her faith restored her ere his last words
were spoken.
ut will not come to pass she declared.
Jehovah will not suffer it. Thou shalt
see-and let the Pharaoh beware!" Her
words were vehement and she offered no
argument. She saw no need of 1t, since
her belief, merely expressed. had the force
of fact with her.
81 am committed to the cause of Israel
that thou knowest, Rachel" Kenkenes
made answer. After another silence he
took up the thread of his talk.
IF thy danger from this man were set
aside l should not return thee to the camp,
even il there were no doom spoken upon
Israel L would have thee free; / would
have thee in luxury, sheltered in my
fathers house, would ~
Thou dost paint a picture that mocks
me now o Kenkenes,' she broke in on his
growing fervor. 'Doubly am I enslaved.
and the safety of Masaarah and Memphis
is no more for me-"
Thou hast saId." he answered in a SUBJ
dued voice. 'It was given me last night
to win favor with the Pharaoh for thy
sake, but the need of that favor fell before
1t was won. But despair not. What is
thy pleasure, Rachel? Shall take thee to
A xr.;1f hon. cto \,