The Forrest City times., 1913-12-19


 and, speaking softly, began to make ready for their sleep outspreading their cloaks over the transparent embroidery of the shadows and the moonlight. Jesus tormented with uneasiness and four of his disciples went further into the depth of the garden There they seated themselves on the ground, which had not yet cooled off from the heat of the day, and while Jesus was silent Peter and John lazlly exchanged words almost devoid of any meaning. Suddenly Jesus rose quickly My soul is exceedingly sorrovful, unto death; tarry ye here and watch with me- he said and departed hastily to the grove and soon disap- peared amid its motioness shades and light Where did he go?" said John, lifting himself on his elbow. Peter turned his head in the di- recton of Jesus and answered fatiguedly:
 T do not know"
 And he yawned again loudly, then threw himself his back and became silent. The others also became silent, and their motionless bodies were soon absorbed into the sound sleep of fatigue Through his heavy slumber Peter saw vaguely something white bending over, some ones voice resounded and died away, leaving no trace in his dimmed consciousness
 Simon. are you sleeping?"
 And he slept again, and again some soft voice reached his ear and died away without leaving any trace.
 You could not watch with even one hour?" "Oh, Master! if you only knew how sleepy l am he thought in his slumber but it seemed to him that he said it aloud. And he slept again
  suddenly the figure of Jesus appeared near him. and loud. rousing voice instantly awakened him and the others:
 You are still sleeping and resting? It is ended. the hour has come-the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of the sinners"
 The disciples quickly sprang to their feet, con. fusedly seiZlng their cloaks and trembling from the cold of the sudden awakening. Through the thicket of the trees multitude of warriors and temple servants was seen approaching. noisily. Illuminating their way with torches. And from the other side the disciples running culver ing with cold their sleepy faces frightened and not yet understanding what going on they asked hastily:
 What Is it. Who are these people with torches?'
 Thomas, pale faced. his mustaches in disorder, his teeth chattering from chilliness said Peter They have evidently after us"
 Now multitude of warriors surrounded them and the smoky quivering light of the torches drove away somewhere the soft light of the moon In front of the warriors walked quickly Judas Iscarot, and sharply turning his quick eye he searching for Jesus. He found him, rested for an instant his look upon his tall, slender fig ure, and quickly whispered to the priests
 "Whomsoever I shall kiss. that is he Take him and lead him cautiously. Lead him cautiously, do you hear?"
 Then he quickly moved to Jesus who waited for him in silence. and he directed his straight sharp look. like knife, into his calm darkened eyes.
 Hail. Master!" he said loudly, charging his words or usual greeting with a strange and stern meaning.
 But Jesus silent, and the disciples looked at the traitor with horror, not understanding how the soul of could contain so much evil Iscariot threw a rapid glance at their confused ranks, noticed their quver. which about to turn into a loud, trembling fear, noticed their pallor. their senseess smiles. the drowsy move. ments of their hands which seemed though fet- tered in iron at the shoulders-and q mortal sor. row began to burn in his heart akin to the sor- row Christ had experienced before. Outstreching himself into a hundred ringing. sobbing strings he rushed over to Jesus and kissed his cold cheek tenderly He kissed it softly so ten derly, with such painful love and sorrow, that if Jesus had been a flower upon a thin stalk he would not have shaken from this kiss and would not have dropped the pearly dew from his pure petals.
 Judas" said Jesus. and with the lightning of bis look he illumned that monstrous heap of