The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-15
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
r us porter's basket empty.
RI was balanced upon Cymon's
q q shoulder as he took bis
way leisurely down the sunken CEN
tire Of the street.
In his closed left hand were Q
few copper coins which he ratified
absently. They we're the payment
for the load of wine and olive-oil
he had Just delivered at q wellto-
do house. As he ratified them the
thought Of the bread, dates, salt.
and young onions that they would
purchase dwelt semtconsciously
In his mind.
A fugitive smile touched his lips.
When there are two to be fed the
provider who Is freed of anxiety
concerning the days food expert.
ences an incommunicable satisfac-
ton.
Cymon was eighteen. For nearly
a year and a half-ever since the
night when he had tasted ideal
ecstasy at the lips of a pretty tenn.
pie girl-he had luxuriated In bitter
and violent cynicism. 1t had helped
him to fight-nourishing him with
a species Of philosophy when bread
was unobtainable.
But upon this morning the Spring
seemed to draw the tips of her fin.
gers lightly across his cheek, like
tv AnA thA hlAnd
thrilled sdelicately in his finger.tips.
He was aware that he felt pleased
to be alive.
Certainly the town was cheerful
at pilgrimage times. The weather
was glorious, too. He ratified the
jingling copper coins In his left
hand to the Tilt of an odd little tune
running in his head.
Clit-clat -clit-the shod hoofs Of
horse picking his way down the
trough OF the street. A Roman CEN
turion sat astride Of him.
Cymon's nostrils dilated. He
glared-as much from force OF habit
as from any other reason-then
sprang to the raised footway, stand.
ing at the edge Of It.
The centurion's steel headpiece
was crested with red bristles. He
came easily along on his bay stall.
lion. A dozen soldiers followed
him. two by two, and q couple OF
fellows with hammers thrust
through their belts and coils OF rope
over their shoulders.
"Oh-of course. It's the Passover
executions" said the thought In
Cymon's brain.
The Government regularly cruel.
fed some condemned criminals dur.
ing the holiday week as a whole
some warning to the city and the
pilgrims.
Mos: OF those on the footways
paused. The shadow Of death fall.
Ing across the sunshine Of life 10
wonderfully stimulating as long rs
IL remains impersonaL Women
looked over the parapets from which
the scarlet-tasselled carpets hung
down.
Now came two staggering men
with crosspieces OF timber dashed
to their houlders-half led, half
dragged by the soldiers.
They're thieves and murderer
the swine!" said someone, speaking
benin, Cymon. Headed q gang
and robbed q caravan on the Damas-
Gus road. Their kinds only At for
the oss."
The two men staggered past
lurching, uttering sounds that were
midway between grunts and groans.
Poor devils!" said Cymons
thought.
Another figure brought up the
rear. This man wore . longish,
mire-stained, white woollen gar
ment, and bis head was encircled
by . ffliet of thorns.
WHATS this one done?"
II don't know-I'm q stranger
here. But they only cruelty muir.
derers and such-like, don't they?
He must be q criminal"
"Oh. Of counsel"
Cymon was watching the last Of
the three criminals much as a sen.
sitive-natured person might watch
the approach OF . pitifully injured
animal. His brows had contracted
as though he himself we're actually
suffering reflected pain.
Suddenly, without . sound, the
man swsyed, crumpled, and fell
"oh!" said a woman's voice.
wincing pity-sound.
One Of the soldiers IN charge Of