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


fully. Suppose that he should not
come? There are many wolves in
these hills of Judea, and once l know
that Jether killed lion on foot, with
but knife as his only weapon. Sup f
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-
~ and caressed the young girl.
II know thy secret, Mistress Mao
mi she whispered NAY, do not
start in surprise Jether is fine lad,
beloved OF the entire countryside. and
not maiden of Hebron but would be
honored to have her hand sought in
marriage by the younger son of Jesse.
And thou art 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 curiously.
"What dost thou mean?"
! The aged servant hesitated, as II
fearing to speak.
"Say ON. Rissah. What hast thou in
/ thy mind?'
Much talk 1 have heard these past
! few months among the servants in thy
uncles household" said Rissah softly,
glancing around to make sure that
none might hear, "much talk have l
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 marriage
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 care not nor never will.
But. oh, Rissah"-
The girls voice trembled, and it was
with difficulty that she kept back her
tears.
"Oh, Rissah, what if Jether come
Ilol. 11itSL ulSllU dledllleu IIitC Ol Il
sudden a black cloud swept across a
sky as fair as this one. Jether was
near me laughing in his happy way
and scorncd my warming Then all at
once the world was dark l 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 / could not
tell, vet, 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 he 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 Jcther. Come, Mistress Naomi!'
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.
81
Another goblet of wine to seal anew
our friendship
The speaker, a man of middle age.
well dressed, with Il handsomely en-
bloidered tunic of !. rich dark cloth
bound with leathern girdle. and
e wearing costly sandals embroidered
With beads, seemed i'll striking contrast
TO the lad who faced him in the inner
y courtyard of the inn of OZen on the
~ outskirts of the town Of Hebron. They
We're seated at Il rough wooden table
): in the courtyard of plain, square
building, the open sky above then
l. showing that nightfall was not far dis
y. tant. The elder man seemed trying Il
convey to his companion some of the
q good spirit which evidently permeatee
s. his own veins.
The lad, handsome, dark boy will
Y long curly hair, clad only in rougl
nl but picturesque garment made from
n, two leopard skins, shook his head a.
Iy his companion offered to fill his goble
rs a second time.
ar Nay, I'll drink no MORE" said tn,
y, boy
k The elderly man laughed, wicke,
&c and sardonic laugh.
i'd And how often have ! spoken thos
b. selfsame words" he cried mockingly
it "But to eat without drinking is lik
devouring ones own blood. Come
N come, my good Jether; thou art fool
= ish boy to spend thy days thus mopin
v. away with thy sorrows. had though
IN thee a bright, Industrious care fire
,o lad. for surely thou hast proved thy
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