Warren sheaf., 1905-11-30

Emkenes mac no uesire to be followed
He bade Rachel wait for him and ap-
preached the Nubian.
Now he began coolly, "thou art
unweIcome, likewise insolent Also art
thou a fool, but it Is an arch-idiot in
deed that lacketh caution. This maid
en- Is beloved of all the Israelites Thou
art one man and alone. 1t would not
be safe for thee to attempt to take her
! without help even across that. little
space between Masaarah and the Nile.
! should harass thee with others with
IN call. Do thou save thyself and send
+ the chief adviser after her: +. would
! treat with him also -. s>a-
! The Nubian backed away, and Ken
henes followed him relentlessly until
The man, overcome with trepidatiOn
took to his heels and fed. ... a.
Even then Kenkenes did not lessen
bis vigilance. He caught up Anubis,
who had bounded beside him during
the entire time, and, running back to
Rachel, turned into the limestone
wastes. >'~
kenkenes had riskel his suggestions
to the single Nubian, and their effect
upon him gave the young sculptor
some hope that the pursuing force had
been limited to these three. Though
the men along the Nile were not with
IN call, they would prevent flight into
Memphis, and the camp of the Israel
'ites, il not similarly picketed, would
offer 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.
After an hours cautious dodging
from shelter to shelter through the
masses Of rocks they toiled up the
great ridge of hills deep into the des-
ert Rachel would have gone on and
on but Kenkenes drew her into the
shadow of great rock and stopped to
listen. The oppressive silence was un-
broken. Far and near only gray wastes
of hills heaved in heated solitude about
them.
''Sit here in the shadow and rest"
he said, turning to the weary girl be-
side him. II shall keep watch"
He cleared space for her among the
debris at the base Of the great frag-
ment and pressed her down in the
place he had made, Next he undid his
belt and fastened Anubis to bowlder
too heavy for the ape to move. The
animal resented the confinement. and
kenkenes, tying him by force, found
in the 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.
When he arose the day grew dark
before him, and he was obliged to
steady himself against the rock till the
vertigo passed. His assailants had
Hhurr him more than he had thought.
But he took up his vigil and main
tained it faithfully till all sense Of
danger had vanished. 49,
Rachel, who had been watching his
face, touched his hand at last and bade
him rest. The invitation was welcome,
and with sigh he sat down beside
her
"Eie down." she said softly. 'Thou
hast been most cruelty misused. And
all for me!'
Obediently he slipped from a sitting
to a recumbent posture. She put out
her arm and, supporting him, seemed
about to take his head into her lap.
Instead she slipped the mantle from
the strap that bound it across his
shoulders and, rolling it swiftly, made
a pillow Of it for his head
The wallet that had hung by the
same strap over his shoulder attracted
her attention, and she guessed that it
had been used as a carrier for provi-
.siOns. She laid it open and took out
the water bottle. The pith stopper had
held during all the violent motion, and
the dull surface of the porous and ever
cooling pottery was cold and wet.
She put the bottle to his lips, and
after he had drunk bathed his bruises
most tenderly
Succumbing to the gentle influence
OF her fingers. he put up his hands to
take them, but they moved out Of
his reach in the most natural manner
possible. He could not feel that she
had purrosely avoided his touch, but
he made no further attempt when the
soothing fingers returned. Finally he
raised himself Oh his elbow and sup
ported his head in his hand.
"Now am l new again" he said,
-'once more ready to help thee. Let us
take counsel together and get into safe
ty and comfort" He paused moment
till his serioHs words would not fol-
low with unseeming promptness upon
his light tone.
II know thy trouble, Rachel" he be-
gan again soberly There Is no need
that thou shouldst hurt thyself by the
telling, but there are details which
would be helpful in aiding thee If !
had them in mind. Thou knowest bet
ter than I. Wilt thou aid me?'
Her golden head dropped till her face
was bowed upon her hands. After a
little silence she answered him, her