Evening star., 1924-12-14

and fear, Simon had snatched Lydia
into his arms and dashed away to-
ward the hills. But the foremost
marauder saw. He raced after Simon.
His great sword flashed, struck like
a fail.
Days after, Simon awoke and stir
red. His father stood beside him. His
mothers tear-stained face bent close
He could not understand their sob
bing words. Finally he dragged him.
self from his bed and drove his bruis-
ed, swaying body away. down the
beach to where the fishing boats lay
at anchor.
He stumbled aboard the nearest. He
ordered the master to put to sea.
Compassionate, the sailors carried
him, pleading, raving, back to his
fathers house. There, at last, he
learned the truth.
No use to search the seas for his
Lydia. The night of the raid a ter
rifle gale had swept the Judean coast
Not a ship could live through that
tempest. Wreckage of the black tri-
RENE had been washed In on the tide
On the third day the captains body
had been found, stretched upon the
sand.
No Never again would he search
for LYDIA. Now, at last, he understood
She was' lost to him. Forever.
In time Simon's young body re-
gained its powers. Soon his mothers
brother, a prosperous tanner in Joppa
offered to take the boy as apprentice
Simon went to him, and worked
DULY, faithfully. When the old man
died and bequeated him the tannery
and this solid barred house, Simon
took his fortune indifferently.
T. Ia ha n iva IA
memory. But tonight, he felt strange
ly restless. Finally he threw on his
cloak and went out upon the beach
1t was a gray night, cloudy and
cold. The beach lay deserted under
raw and fitful wind. But down to-
ward the old market place torches
cleaned. Torches in the market place
so late? Puzzled, Simon went slowly
down that way.
Under the matched roof, edging
shoulder to shoulder, stood a sullen,
bewildered audience; fishermen, sail
crs, all the rougher waterfront folk
In the glare of the torches stood two
men. Wayfaring preachers these. ST.
mon had heard the gossip concerning
them. Two strangers from Jerusalem,
named Paul and Silas. They taught a
freakish new. religion, which had al
ready caused much windy argument
and i'll feeling. For their message,
they declared, was unto all men, not
only to Jews, but to Gentiles, alike
to bond and to free OF course only
common folk went to listen. What had
solid, prosperous citizens to do with
such vain speaking?..
:. :: >. y
A MUsED, little supercilious
q - SiY1nn
eyed, watchful, stood as on guard
Paul was speaking. He stood on a
heap OF boards. His rough mantle
was thrown back, his dark face
blazed with feeling The crowd glared
at him. scowled. muttered. Such talk
ran close on blasphemy. But PauIs
high, authoritative voice rang on:
For determined not to know any
thing among you, save Jesus Christ
and, him crucifled. =. For so hath
the Lord commanded US, saying, q
have set thee to be a light Of the
Gentiles-" g.. -
The GentiIes. hey?" bur1y coope,
jeered aloud. Other voices Joined
him. "a light to the -Gentiles-and
you Jew!. Down with you, false
prophet! Away with hfm!"
The ring pushed, shouldered, ther
=
few. A torch. struck down, fell
f1aring.
Simon turned easily away. An ugly
mob, this. These street preachers
had certainly waded into deep water
No affair of his. though.
He went toward his own house. Be-
hind him the uproar swelled to tu-
mutt. At his own door Simon paused
Evidently the two speakers were re-
treating. They were coming toward
him. At their heels, like snarling
dogs, shuffled and yelled the angry
crowd.
Fifty men to two" Simon frowned
hssitated.
Suddenly the whole crowd swept
forward; abreast Of Simon's house,
Paul and Silas fet this onslaught as
best they could. But their best was
nothing against that charging rage.
Come with me. Quick!"
Before the crowd realized what he
was doing he had swung open his
door, thrust the two men in, slammed d
the great panels, bolted them fast.
The crowd, baffled, vented its emo
tions In boots and cat-calls and a
fusillade of stones. Tiring OF this
sport, 1t ebbed away.
Safe inside, Simon seated his guests
before the nre, brought spices and
medicaments for their cuts and
bruises, fetched cold roasted meats
and wine. While they ate, he watched
them curiously.
mo fear in them, only high anger.
Even If they are preachers. they are
men. Brave men,"
Refreshed and grateful, the apostles
arose to go. At the door Paul halted.
He put up one bandaged hand. His
voice rang like great lifting bell:
Peace be unto this house"
Peace-to his empty house, his
empty heart! Simon stared after the
two men He turned back, stumbling,
tn his blank hearth The anosfle had