The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-18
CHAPTER XIV. (Continued) XII Comes to Memphis.

structed man, said he thought that
she might be happier at Memphis,
though perhaps her presence there
would bring q great sorrow upon
herself and-another."
Here again he looked at the
child, which seemed to feel his
glance, for it woke up and beat the
air with its little hands.
The nurse felt it, also, although
her head was turned away, for she
started and then took shelter be.
hind the bole of one of the palm
trees. Now Merapi said in low
and shaken voice:
81 know what you mean, Magic
ian, for since then ! have seen my
Uncle Jabez."
CAS- I have also, several times,
lady, which may explain to you
what Ana here thinks so wonderful,
namely, that should have learned
what they said together when he
thought they we're alone, which, as
! have told him, no one can ever
be, at least in Egypt, the land OF
listening gods"-
"And spying sorcerers!" ex-
claimed.
And spying sorcerers," he
repeated after me, "and scribes
who take notes, and learn them by
heart, and priests with ears as
large as asses, and leaves that
whisper-and many other things"
Cease your gibes, and say what
you have to say" said Merapi, in
the same broken voice.
He made no answer, but only
looked at the tree behind which
the nurse and the child had van
ished
ooh! I know, / know" she ex-
claimed in tones that were like a
cry. my child is threatened! You
threaten my child because you hate
me-"
"Your pardon, lady. 1t is true
that evil threatens this royal babe,
or SO understood from Jabez, who
knows so much. But II is not I
that threaten it, any more than 1
hate you, in whom I acknowledge
a fellow Of my craft, but one
greater than myself that it is my
duty to obey"
Have donei Why do you tor
ment me?"
"Can the priests Of the Moon
goddess torment Isis, Mother Of
Magic, with their prayers and Of
feTings? And can l who would
make a prayer and an offering"-
What prayer, and what offer
ing?"
"The prayer that you will suffer
me to shelter in this house from
the many dangers that threaten me
at the hands Of Pharaoh and the
prophets of your people, and an
offering of such help as l can give
by my arts and knowledge against
blacker dangers which threaten
another"
Here once more he gaZed at the
trunk Of the tree beyond which ]
heard the infant wall.
"If | consent, what them" she
asked, hOarsely.
Then, lady. | will strive TO pro-
tect a certain little one against a
curse which Jabez tells me threat
ems him and many others in whom
runs the blood of Egypt. / will
strive, if | am allowed to bide here
i do not say that shall succeed,
for as your lord has reminded me.
and as you showed me in the tenn
pie Of Anon, my strength is smaller
than that of the prophets and
prophetesses Of Israel"
And if / refuse?"
Then, lady" he answered in a
voice that rang like iron. 81 am
sure that one whom you love-as
mothers love-will shortly be
rocked in the arms of the god
whom we name Osiris"
Stay" she cried and. turning,
fed away.
why, Ara. she is gone" he said.
land that before ! could bargain
for my reward. Well, this | must
find in your company. How strange
are women, Ana! Here you have
one of the greatest of her sex, as
you learned in the temple Of Anon.
And yet she opens beneath the sun
Of hope and shrivels beneath the
shadow of fear, like the Touched