The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-04-19

lnVulTeu lie may come Win Uttle
time TO spare"
"Oh, yes, Rissah. But what IL be
should not Gomez" replied Naomi, tear
fully. Suppose that he should not
come? There are many wolves In
these hills of Judea, and once know
that Jetber killed lion on foot. with
but knife as his only weapon. Sup
pose that last night when he failed to
watch the sheep some evil mayhap be-
fell him? oh. Rissah. shudder when
think that Jether may never return
TO u.s.
The elder woman smiled reassuring.
ly and caressed the young girl.
II know thy secret. Mistress Mao
MI" she whispered. NAY, do not
start In surprise. Jether is a fine lad,
beloved OF the entire countryside. and
not a maiden Of Hebron but would be
honorcd to have her hand sought In
marriage by the younger son of Jesse.
And thou art a beautiful girl who
must win the love OF all who know
thee. Yet one thing doth trouble me
much. Mistress Naomi
The girl half dried her tears and
turned curlously.
"What dost thou mean?"
The aged servant hesitated. as II
fearing to speak.
Say on. Rissah. What hast thou in
thy mindT'
much talk I have heard these past
few months among the servants In thy
uncles household" said Rissah softly,
none might hear. much talk have
heard that thy Cousin Gaal cast his
eyes many times toward thee. far too
often indeed to please those who know
Of thy regard for thy Cousin Jether."
Naomi sprang to her feet indig-
nantly.
"Gaal indeed she cried. her eyes
flashing fire. Let me tell thee. Ris-
sab, when Naomi is chosen In ma rriage
It will be by one whom she herself
doth select, not by the pious. elder,
stern and hard hearted brother who
doth treat our Jether so shamelessly
For him l care not nor never will
But, oh. Rissah"-
The girls voice trembled. and 1t was
with difficulty that she kept back her
tears.
"Oh, Rissah, what II Jether come
sudden a black cloud swept across a
sky as fair as this one Jether was
near me laughing In his happy way
and scorned my warning. Then all at
once the world was dark. I could not
see him. When the cloud passed Jeth-
er was gone Only his voice came to
me from the distance. so sad. so full
Of pain. But what It was l could not
tell. yet, oh, what pain was In it,
Rissah tenderly embraced the young
girl and led her toward the flight of
stone steps leading upward to the
roof and beyond that to the round
dome.
"Come with me to the watch tower"
she said softly. LET us look toward
Hebron. There is still light enough to
watch the road for the coming OF Mas
ter Jether. Come. Mistress Naomir'
Together the two women slowly
climbed the stone steps. passed under
the silken drapery, mounted to the top
of the rounded dome. where. from a
small platform. one could see the
countryside for miles around.
Another goblet OF wine to seal anew
our friendship"
The speaker, a man Of middle age.
well dressed. with a handsomely EN-
broidered tunic Of a rich dark cloth
bound with a leathern girdle. and
wearing costly sandals embroidered
with beads, seemed In striking contrast
to the lad who faced him In the inner
courtyard Of the inn OF Oxen, ON the
outskirts OF the town Of Hebron. They
were seated at u rough wooden table
In the courtyard of a plain. square
building. the open sky above them
showing that nightfall was not far dis
tant. The elder man seemed trying to
convey TO his companion some of the
good spirit which evidently permeated
his own veins.
The lad, a handsome. dark boy with
long curly hair, clad only In a rough
but picturesque garment made from
two leopard skins, shook his head as
his companion offered to al his goblet
q second time.
"Nay. I'll drink no more" said the
boy.
The elderly man laughed. q wicked
and sardonlc laugh.
"And how often have spoken those
selfsame words" he cried mockingly.
But 10 eat without drinking Il like
devouring ones own blood. Come.
come. my good Jether; thou art fool
ish boy TO spend thy days thus moping
away with thy sorrows. had thought
thee . bright. Industrious. care free
lad, for surely thou hast proved thy
self . royal good friend and an.en-
tertAining companion. Another COB
let. my Jether. ere We part"