Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-27

reckon he had lived there and carcd
naught for the future in spite of the
warning Of Tola that some day his
store Of gold would be exhausted and
he should make plans to replenish his
supply by sending word to his father
in Hebron.
Thus 1t happened that one day Us
late in the afternoon Jcthcr lay sleep
ing heavily upon divan In the garden,
with Nadina's handmaidcn Borsippa
lazily tanning him with great ostrich
feather fan. Ahab, the servant Of the
wealthy Put. entered through the arch
way. Observing that Jether still slept.
he whispered to Borsippa that he had
a message for the Judean from his
master.
NAY; may not waken him. ex-
planned Borsippa. II do but keep the
dies and bees away while he sleeps,
for my mistress, Tisha, became weary
Of him in his drunken sleep and babe
me take her place. Hc sleepeth deep.
rs mon do who revel through the night"
Ahab pointed to the purse which
hung from Jether's girdle.
"And have spent all?" he inquired.
Borsippa frowned and shook her head.
Had he not gold in plenty. thinkest
thou, fool, that he could still lord 1t in
Nadina's house, she demanded.
"Then he must trust thee WELL" re-
torted the crafty Ahab, drawing nearer
to the sleeping Jcther. MY own mas
ter never sleeps when gold is beneath
my nose"
Borsippa threatened him with the
fan.
Ere he fell into slumber he babe my
mistress sit by him. she said Nov,
if any gold is missing l will be blam-
cd"
Ahab stopped over the boy and listen
cd 70 his heavy breathing.
III he be heavy with sleep what mat.
tiers 1t? And If he is rich were it not
well that we should be less poor?"
His fingers CROPPED within the purse,
and several golden coins sparkled In
the light.
Take not so much that he will miss
it and blame me-" whispered Borsippn.
"Yct take enough to be content with
half, for l must have my share"
He quickly handed the girl two Of
the coins, rs Jether stirred in his sleep
and muttcred drowSily, "I'll not have
my brother G;ial the master over me-
Borsippa in hiding her coins accident
ally dropped the fan, and it struck
Jcther, who awoke nngriy. Hc gazcd
about him in search Of Tisha. She was
not there, anu he demanded angrlly:
Where is thy mistress?"
but this moment gone within, my
master" explained the girl. "Ahab, the
servant Of Put, is here with tidings
from thy friends"
my master babe me say bowed
Ahab, that he will visit thee shortly,
bringing some friends"
"Say that they will be welcome"
cried .Jether. struggling to his feet.
"And do you. Borsippn. go and find thy
mistress. like it not that she does
leave mo SO often"
Ahab bowed again as Borsippa sped
away to find the absent Tisha.
MY master babe me say further
that In the cool Of the day, for thy de-
light and his. he will bring with him a
company CT dancing maldens, the fair.
est In all Jerusalem"
Jether tossed him coin and nodded
In approval.
This fer thyself," said Jether grand.
IT,, "And tell thy master he hath done
we'll"
Ahab turned and departed just as
from the house Tlsha In angry mood
approached Jether The girl was In a
fearful temper and stamped her foot.
"NNhnt now dost thou demand?' she
cried. 81 but left to make ready tc
greet thy friends. for some will surely
come
Jcthev. unsteadily moving toward
her, for the wine was, still within hinl
shook his head.