The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-22

none might hear Much Atalk have
j heard that thy cousin aal has cast
his eyes many times toward thee, far
too often. indeed. to please those whh
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 the, Rissah
when Naomi is chosen in marriage il
will be one whom she herself doth Sc
lect; Not by tho pious stern and hard
hearted elder brother. who doth treat
our Jether 80 shamefully, For him
care not, nor never VIII
CHAPTER II
Another goblet Of wine to seal
anew our friendship" the speaker a
man of middle age. we'll dressed, with
a handsome embroidered tunic of a
rich dark cloth, bound with a leath-
er girdle, and wearing costly san
dals. 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 seat
ed at rough, wooden table in the
courtyard of plain square build
ing, the open sky above them snow
ing that nightfali was not far as
tant. The elder man seemed trying
to convey to his copanion some of
the good spirits which evidently per
meated 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 fill
hts goblet second time.
The boy rose somewhat unsteadily
Lines of dissipation showed under
his eyes. II was apparent that sleep
and he had been strangers FOR hours
I'll drink no more he cried, pet :
ulantly, For a day ana night
have spent my time with thee. lola.
and thou hast been a good friend
and has taught me many things and
told me much Of that wonderful city
where some day ! may journey, but
] must go hence now. Too long have
j neglected my flock"
Tola laughed an evil smile light
ing his face as he drained the COB
Iet
Thy flock >" he cried Whereof
shouldst likely lad like thee tend
sheep upon the hillside? Thou art
a fool. Let clumsy goat heards and
country louis spend weary days and
tiresome nights guarding thy flocks.
Thou art the son OF a rich man, Je-
ther. From Oxen the landlord. did
hear but yestere en- that Some day
when thou dost inherit my rorr.on.
thou wilt have much gold and lands
and many cattle Why, the w-nrh
that viii some day be thine. thou
canst go to the Court Of Solomon
perchanco become prince myself
thou canst live like n. king In yeru
salem
Jether's eyes lighted with antici-
patton but in a moment his face be-
came downeast
Aye. that may be he responded
slowly. when l inherit my portion ."
Tola rose. came closer To the boy
and took him by the arm,
Thy father is aged. Jether" no
said slowly. Perchance---"
Speak not of my father, Tola.' he
cried angrily, When it is the will
of God that he shah be taken from
us, then mayst thou speak thus. Not
before
Tola shrugged his shoulders in ~
lent and humble acquiescence.
7 mean no harm, good Jether." ne
protested insinuatingfy Il did hut OK
press my regret that such likely lad
tho gold which perchance will be his
later in life. when ones best years
have been wasted. Look at me II
seems but yesterday / stood in the
streets of Jerusalem and watched the
workmen rearing a great mass of stone
and wood which the great King Solo
mon plans as temple to tho Lore.
Come thou and see likewise, good Jeth-
er what wonders there are in this srea.
world Leave thy stupid hills and coae
10 Jerusalem. set upon my journey
tomorrow
ITO Jerusalem ." the boy crisS in.