The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-05-08

i him. So he descended into the upper
end Of the ravine and slowly passed
the outskirts Of the camp, but the bond
girl was nowhere to be seen. The
spaces between the low tents were
filed with feeding labcrers, and there
was an unusual amount Of cheer to be
noted among Israel Of Masaarah. Ken
kenes heard the talk and laughter with
some wonderment as he passed. He ad-
mitted that he was disappointed when,
without glimpse Of Rachel, be emerg-
ed into the Nile valley But he leaped
lightly down the ledge, crossed the belt
of rubble, talus and desert sand, and en-
! tered the now we'll marked wagon road
| between the dark green meadow land
on either side. Egypt was in shadow
her sun behind the Libyan heights-but
the short twilight had not fallen. Over
head were the cooling depths Of sky,
as yet starless, but the river was
| breathing on the winds and the sibilant
murmur of it's waters began to talk
above the sounds Of the city. To the
north, the south and the east was pas
toral and desert quiet; to the west was
the gradual subsistence Of urban stir.
Frogs were beginning to croak in the
distance, and in the long grain here
and there a nocturnal insect chirred
and stilled abruptly as the young man
passed.
Within rod Of the pier some one
called:
"My masterr
The voice came from a distance, but
he knew whom he should see when he
turned. Halfway across the field to-
ward the quarries Rachel was coming,
with a scroll in her lifted hand. He
began to rerace his steps to meet her,
but she noted the action and quickened
her rapid walk into running.
Thou didst drop this outside the
camp she said as she came near. Y
feared it might have somewhat per-
tanning to the statue on it, and have
brought it, with the permission Of the
taskmaster." She stopped and, put
ting her hand into the folds Of her
habit on her breast, hesitated as if for
words to speak further. Kenkenes In
| terrupted her with his thanks.
.'How thou hast fatigued thyself for
me, Rachel! Out Of all Egypt I doubt
if I might find another so constant
guardian Of my welfare. The grace Of
the gods attend thee as faithfully. I
thank thee most gratefully
The purpose in her face dissolved;
the hand that seemed to hold some
| what in the folds of her habit relaxed
and fell slowly. While Kenkenes wait
ed for her to speak be noted that a
dress Of unbleached linen replaced the
coarse cotton surplice she had worn
before, and her feet We're shod with
simple sandals, an extravaganza among
slaves. But the garb was yet too
mean. The sculptor wondered at that
moment how the sumptuous attire Of
the highborn Memphian women would
| become her. He shook his head and
| in his Imagination dressed her in snow
white robes, with but the collar Of
rings about her throat, and stood back
to marvel at his picture Of splendid
simplicity.
"Hast thou not something more to
tell me?' he asked kindly. "Do thou
rest here on the wharf while we talk.
Art thou not quite breathless?'
"Nay, I thank thee" she faltered. 81
may not linger." The hand once again
sought the folds over her breast.
"Then let me walk with thee on thy
way. It will be dark soon-"
"Nay," she protested, flushing, "and
again I thank thee. It is not needful.' y
She made a movement as If to leave
him, but he stepped to her side.
"Out upon thee, daughter Of Israel!
Thou art ungrac;ous,' he demonstrated
Iaughingly. "I cannot think thee 80
wondrous brave. For it is long walk
to the camp, and the night will be
pitch black Why may not go with
thee?"
There is naught to be feared"
"Of a truth? Those hills are as
full of wild beasts as Amenti is Of
spirits. And even if no hurt befell
thee the trepidation of that long jour
ney would be crueh Nay, Ptah, the
gallant god, would spurn my next Of
fering did 1 send thee back to camp
alone. Wilt thou Gomez"
She bowed and dropped behind him.
Her resolution to maintain the forms
of different rank between them was
not characteristic Of other slaves he
had known There was no presump-
ton or humble gratitude in her man
ner when he would offer her the cour-
tesies Of an equal, but he had met
the disdain Of a peer once when he
thou; 'ht be talked with slave. There
was something mocEing in her perfume
tory Difference, but her pride was gen.
uine. Her conduct seemed to say, "I
would liefer be a Hebrew and slave
than princess Of the God forgotten
realm Of Egypt"
The young sculptor was unrufded,
however. He was turning over in his