Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-26


exclaimed.
AYE. and bring thee n lodgcr, good
Nalina." responded Tola, my Lord
Jcther the son Of the rich Judcan
jesse, who would spend much time ana
money with thee, my friend Nadina.
IT'S his first visit to Jerusalem. and he
knows naught of city ways. so thou
must instruct him. thou ana thy daugh-
ter Tisha."
Nadina clasped her hands as though
already counting the shekcls and
smiled.
'"rhou hast brought thy friend to the
house OF friend" she responded. 1T
plcaseth thee perhaps to jest, for sure
~ the lad Is a handsome boy and seems
not like a stranger to Jerusalem. But
since thou dost ask that Nadina and
my darling Tisha should instruct him
and care for him here In the city thy
word Is law. viii order my servants
to prepare tile best chamber In my
house for thy friend"
4 AS Jcther bowed In acknowledgment
and the servants disappeared to obey
her orders Tola whispered to her
I quietly:
III have brought thee gold, good
Nadina, pledge now thy word that thou
wilt share equally with me or per-
chance may take him elsewhere
/ Nadina darted a glance of defiance at
him, but he clasped her hand roughly
and added, "Swear-swear now by the
goddess Ishtar. whom l know thou
! fearest."
II swear" faltcred Nadina. Thou
shalt have thy share"
Having been conducted by two NJ
bians to the most beautifully appointed
room in the house Of Nadina and hay
ing seen his precious teakwood box
carefully locked in a great cedar chest,
the key of which he placed safely In
his girdle, Jether joyfully returned to
the garden, where Nadina and Tola
were engaged in q conversation which
seemed on the point Of becoming ali ar
gument of great intensity, when their
voices were suddenly lowered at his
approach.
"And what thinkest thou Of my
house?" inquired the smiling Nadinn,
turning abruptly from lola.
"To ono like me from the country"
replied Jeter lit surpasses all mag
nation. Ny dreams of the city have
been realized and more"
"Ah, but wait until thou hist seen
my Tislia--iny dove" added the fond
mother. clapping her hands and bid.
ding one of the handmaidens fetch her
dourhter .'For love Of her men have
gamblcd, fought and died, yet will she
have none of them. She would be
wooed BY love alone and not by jewels
and gold. Many wealthy suitots have
sought my Tisha in vain. yet always
/, hath she greeted Them with laughter
i and disdain Nut soft--she comes"
The girl came toward them YEARLY.
Her soft, undulating movements sug.
gested in some degree the ldzy, languid
evolutions Of a python. She was fair
I. indeed to look upon, though dark Vf
skin aud Of eye. She was youne-bnrc-
" more than eighteen already the
wisdom Of the world was hers. Her
thick dark hair had been cut short SO
that It fell only to her neck, and a
great golden comb held back the tlesscs
from her forehead. Her gown was
richly ornamentcd with beads and
golden embroidery, and her sandals
were Of some kind Of cloth Of silver.
Upon Her fingers were giant rings, EN-.
emlds and rubies, which sparkled In
the evening sunlight az she raised one
hand to brush back some rebcllious
locks Of hair.
what now dost thou desire Of me,
my nothcrw she asked, with n bored
| air, supcrcilious glance taking In the
Youthful Jether and d look OF resent
nlcnt being cast toward the smirking
!. lola at the Same time.
j Nadina came to the naughty young
girl enthusiastically, at the same time
whispering something which made the
young lady drop her diffident mir.
! \ would have thee meet Jether, q
,ar-.--..