Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-04-12

shepherd Tad amid these very NILS"
"But If my father doth refuse?'
when my father failed to give me
what deemed my right found a
way to take them," cried lola angrily,
grasping the boy again by the arm.
And since he had put me to so much
unjust trouble took all that found"
Jether backed away from him in
surprise and fear.
"Then thou wilt some day suffer pun
ishment for that theft" he said. Does
not our law say
Tola interrupted him with hooking
laugh.
BE not tiresome That is the only
law warn thee to obey when thou
doth meet my friends in Jerusalem.
They are merry fellows, rich and free
with youth and spirits. And when l
shall take thee to the house of my
good friend Nadina and shall introduce
you to her daughter, Tisha. the fair
est in all Jerusalem, shouldst thou
preach to them they would never for
give me for bringing thee along. AS
for Tisha, really think she might
slap thy face"
| Jether turned toward him curious}y
and asked:
Elisha. didst thou say?"
AYE, Tisha of Babylon, now the
tairest maid in all Jerusalem. For her
favors men would almost pay the ran
som of a king, yet Tisha scorns them
all and boasts that she will be won by
love alone. Such a lad as thou, with
wealth, youth, good looks-why, fair
| Tisha would worship thee."
NAY, l know naught Of women" re-
piled Jether hesitatingly. Il know
naught of love save that I bear my
mother and my cousin Naomi, and
for any else | care not
what an innocent fool thou art!'
tainted Tola, with a laugh "That
youthful innocence will attract fair
Tisha far more than gold shekels.
What sayst thou, wilt thou come
with me?'
Jether hesitated. From the distance
came the sound Of a silver trumpet.
He heard it and started.
1.-The trumpets call! must away!"
he cried. II cannot answer now"
Toa threw his mantle over his shoulA
der and raped upon the table for the
landlord Old Oxen came from reom
within, and lola tossed him coin.
This for thy reckoning, landlord"
he said sharply. CAS- for thee, my
good friend 4ether, farewell. I jour-
ney toward Jerusalem
Again the trumpet blew.
II am late. Already 1 fear my ia
TIERS anger for leaving the sheep I'M
tended. My brother Gaal will once
more taunt me with my neglect. One
moment Tola. Come with me, and I
will ask my father for my portion and
| go with thee"
Tola slapped him affectionately upon
the back
Thou art good lad, after all,'' he
said. Bring thy gold and come with
me. ! will await thee here while thou
dost get thy portion"
Il will come, portion or no portion y
| declared Jether firmly.
What" cried Tola in pretended sur
| prise. "Wouldst live upon another's
money!"
IF my father deny me shall earn
my own money
| Thou art fool to spend thy DAYS
in labor, so that thy brother Gaal may
| thy portion and join me- Thy father
canst not refuse thee. And if he does.
ask thy mother
The boy smiled at the mention of his
mother
my mother loves me-" he said sim
ply. II shall hate to leave her, but
when l come back, laurel crowned and
rich, will make my mother proud of
me. Very WE'LL lola, will go to my
father. Come thou with me and wait
a little on the road below, as my father
hath good memory for faces, and
thou didst say that once when thou
vert lad he did wrongly accuse thee
of theft
lola smiled sardonically.
Thy father Jesse is keen in spite of
his years." he said CURLY. perhaps
it were better that should not be
there when thou dost ask for thy
money. But spend no time crying
thine eyes out on thy mothers breast,
for we must start this night. Come,
Jether! Get thy money, and then we
start for 5erusalem"-
For jerusalem repeated the boy
excitedly.
"For Jerusalem" repeated lola,
with a grim smile, "and Tisha," he
added under his breath, with little
laugh-"Tisha." He chuckled again.