The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-05-22

f~ sACHEL had seen Kenkenes but
TX twice in many weeks
I'M One midmorning the oxen
were unyoked from the water
cart and led ambling up to the pit
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 it
| was given Rachel to govern them In
/ the departure from the routine.
Suddenly she became aware that
some one approached through the grain,
and when she raised her head she
! looked up into the face Of Kenkenes.
It was Kenkenes indeed, but Ken
kenes in robes Of rustling linen and
! rappings Of gold. Never. had she seen
so stately an Egyptian nor any so en-
/ titled to the name Of nobleman. In
quick succession she experienced the
moving sensations Of surprise, pride In
him and depression. The last fell on
her with the instant recollection Of
! duty when his face bent appealingly
over hers. Trembling, 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 sunset while there yet was day
light she left the camp merely that
she might wander down the valley to
the same spot where at the same hour
she had met kenkenes on that last oc-
| casion Of talk between them.
Moving slowly down the shadows,
she saw a figure approaching. The
stature Of the newcomer identified him.
The head was up, the step slow, the
bearing expectant. In the one scant
lapse between two throbs Of her heart
| Rachel knew her lover, remembered
all the power Of his attraction and
realized that her joy and love could
carry her beyond her fortitude and
resolution.
Just ahead of her, not farther than
three PAGES, long fragment Of roc.
against the wall. There was an ample
space formed by its slant against the
cliff, and almost before she knew it
she had crept into this ccevice. Cow
erirg in the dusk. she clutched at her
loud beating heart and listened in
| tently.
There was no sound Of his steps OF
the rough roadway OF the valley, and.
though she watched eagerly from her
bidins place, she cid not see him pass.
After long time she emerged. He
was gone
/ When she looked in the dust She
! found that bis footprints turned not
f;.r from her hiding place and led to-
ward the Nile.
she knew then that he had seen her
when she had caught sight Of him and,
failing to meet her, as he had expected,
had guessed she had hidden from him.
! The next morning Rachel followed
the children to the Nile. Crossing the
field. absorbed in her trouble, she did
! not bear the beat Of hoofs or the grind
; of wheels until she was face to face
4! with the attendants Of a company OF
char:oteers. The troop Of water car
riers had scattered out Of the roadway,
and each little bronzed Israelite was
bending with his right hand upon his
left knee in token Of profound respect
Rachel hastily joined them.
When she looked again the retinue
OF servants had passed. After them
came a gilded chariot with sumptu-
Gus Egyptian within. By the amulets
over his temples and the fringed rib
! bons pendent berefroG the lsraelite
knew him to be royal.
! Behind, q second chariot was driven
/ by a single occupant, WHO wore the
badges Of princehood also.
TIE third was & chariot Of ebony
drawn by two prancing coal black
horses whose feathers and housings
shone and jingled Rachel's eyes met
those of the driver, and the life current
froze in her veins Har-hat, fan bearer
to the Pharaoh. late governor Of Bu-
bastis. drew up his horses and calmly
surveyed her. The action halted the
chariots Of a dozen courtiers follow
ing him. One by one they came to a
standstill, and each man peered around
his predecessor until the fan bearer be-
came conscious Of the paving horses
behind him. He drove out Of line ard
alighted. With an apologize wave OF
lis hsaa IL moJone0 tie procession q
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