Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-05-10

Jether drew back sharply as he real
lied the true sentiment behind her re-
marks.
when first came" he said slowly,
"didst thou not say thy loye was mine
and mine alone? Yea, even the more
because, unlike thy merchants and thy
other suitors, did not talk forever of
gains and losses. Thou didst love to
hear the simple tales of old Judea. Did
not thy mother say it pleased her we'll
to give me the best room in all her
house and thee as handmade? How
have changed? True, have lived
among the hills and lack some things
they have who live in cities. Yet not
one of them could love thee as I do"
he added seeking to take her in his
arms.
Tisha eluded him. "Of all the friends
who each day feast with thee not one
would fail to show me greater kind
ness than thou" she retorted. "Take
notice, thou Judean, swear by our
lady Ishtar," and she pointed to the
statue, II swear by our lady Ishtar, if
thou wouldst have thy Tfsha love thee
longer, then must thou show thy love
better"
+ "Tisha, / love but thee !" cried Jether,
and would once more have taken her
in his arms, but she eluded him. He
sought to catch her, but she rounded
the edge of the fountain, and wlSen he
had finally caught her and held sher i'll
his arms, he kissed her. The girl, her
passion spent, her anger vented, hung
softly in his arms until voice made
them both realize that they had been
interrupted. They turned. 1t was Ma
dina, and behind her stood Sadyk, the
jeweler
Nadina came toward Jether, smiling,
with Sadyk, the jeweler, close behind
her. The aged man, bowling obsequi-
ously, stroked his long white beard
with one hand, while with the other he
carefully guarded the tray of jewels
which hung before him.
Jether turned, angry at the interrupt
ton, for time had taught him many
things regarding Nadina, and he had
not been slow to observe the ways of
Sadyk on more than one occasion.
well, what seekest thou now?" he
inquired, while Tisha, a new light in
her eyes as she beheld the wonderful
jewels Of Sadyk, chung close to Jether.
"Ah, Jether, wonderful necklace I
have seen," cried Nadina joyously.
"Such necklace thou shalt give to
Tisha, as Sadyk, the jeweler, hath just
shown to me. Ever since childhood my
love hath yearned for strings of golden
beads. Now Sadyk has such an one,
which, if given to her by thee, would
ever hold thee in her thoughts even
when richer and more generous men
would win lHr from thee"
Jether angrily dismissed her with
wave of the hand.
Nay, it is thy wish, not Tisha's, for
thy thought is ever of gold,' he de-
clared.
"And is my Tisha worth less thar
gold?" demanded Nadina insistently.
Look at my child? Where hast thou
) seen form like hers? Is gazelle of
equal grace? See how like a tower Of
precious ivory her neck upholds head
unmatched in beauty from Lebanon to
Egypt. Thou must have seen many
another maiden OH thy travels. Was
one like Tisha? Come nearer, daugh-
ter"
Tisha, laughing coquettishly, turned
and cast a languishing glance toward
3ether, then spun on one foot and bow
ed gracefully.
ITO thy nostrils, Jether, does she not
watt the fragrance of myrrh and Of
spikenard? Why, god would envy
thee the possession Of such beauty.
And hast thou ever seen a daintier
foot? Yet though this priceless gem
flashes for thee alone, thou dost be-
grudge her paltry ornament she hath
set her heart upon"
Jether turned abruptly upon the jew
eler, who stood bowling and nodding his