Evening star., 1926-10-12

A\TONIUS.
The old man took the money. and
departed.
you were searching, 1 think, for
treasure" Laila said, coming to the
man in the corner. There is none
You may search as far and as long
| as you please. I tell you my ring and
my anklet were all that was left"
She held up her hand. 'The ring is
gone now"
The man rolled back and forth,
holding his leg with knotted. straining
hands. Bring my cushion and my
mantle" he told her.
She obeyed. and helped him as he
turned onto the heap of particolored
fabrics.
What a country" he growled.
breathing more easily as he settled
back. "A shepherd is the only
surgeon, and the only inn is-Laila' s. I"
He waved his hand at the walls of
the small room.
The woman was standing erect, her
small head high, and her black eyes
glowing at the man who lay before
her.
my house is no inn," she said.
"And in JeZreel there is a place for
travellers"
"a place. he jeered. "a hovel-a
mudheap, where the guest provides
his own food and wine, and there is
no inn-keeper"
''It is a custom Of the land" she
said. And it is not my land"
Her head lowered, and her heavily
fringed lids dropped. "My land" she
went on. 'is far away and my people
are enemies of the dwellers in
Galilee." She sighed heavily.
hn
Arabians What food did you bring?"
Laila turned. and uncovered the.
bundle that the porter had dropped on
the floor. There is portion Of a
sheep" she said, land wheat loaves,
and good drink" She lifted a goat
skin filled with wine. Carefully open
ing it at the neck, she filled a high
vase with the red liquor, and hung
the halfemptied skin upon peg that
brought bread, shallow bowl and
gave it him.
He filed the vessel with wine, and
drained it.
Its not the wine of Rome" he
said, putting down the bowl.
Laila leaned backward against the
wall "Antonius," said she, "you do
not regard with favor our food, nor
our wine, nor our surgery. Why did
you come then and why do you
remain?"
The man, for the first time, laughed.
He terked his thumb toward his
military equipment in the corner. II
am a soldier" he said. II go where
l am sent, and I stay until 1 am
ordered to go away"
She handed him a loaf of the bread
she had bought circular slab Of
crust, very thin and crumbling. He
bit into it, and consumed the
mouthful.
This bread" he said, "is not
rightly bread at all. In Rome 1t is
made in fat loaves that are tender"
He shifted restlessly. Your
shepherd-surgeon is SLOW" he said.
At this moment the doorway was
darkened. Antonius turned his head.
A bearded man, clothed in a blue
woolen garment that reached to his
bare ankles, stood looking at the
soldier and the woman.
In a flash, Antonius' muscular arm
reached out fer his sword, and with
a flick Of his wrist the weapon was
out Of its sheath.
"Begone" he roared.
The man in the doorway took a
backward step.
Co. ordered the soldier. AS the
SITdHSGI
hurled his sword. The point barely
grazed the newcomers throat. He
turned to fee, but Laila darted
forward and seized him by the robe.
This is Antonius the soldier, and
he is ill-he raves!" she cried. Clinging
to the stranger, she looked back
ward at the pallet, her eyes imploring.
DO him no harm. Antonius-he is
Jacob: the publican"
She drew the man through the door
way, into the single room Of the
house.
"See?" She indicated the stiffened
limb Of the soldier. He is injured.
have Just sent for Aaron the shepherd
to set the bone again. He is in pain,
or he would not have sought to slay
you"
The publican doubtfully regarded
the man at his feet.
Laila hurriedly continued, talking
now to Antonius. He is the
could take all that 1 have and bear
if we anger him."
The injured man toyed with the
Antipas?" he said. I'm tweak the
beard of Herod Antipas If his
publican disturbs my place Of refuge"
The newcomer started, and glanced
out the door. "Peace" he said, his
voice lowered. "If your words should
be reported, we all are lost"
The woman clasped her hands.
PAY heed to him, Antonius," she
begged.
The blue eyes of the soldier were
twinkling. He spoke more loudly.
Take word to Herod Antipas that
l shall pull his beard if l am dis
turbed.'
Laila stepped out the door, and
looked anXiously to right and left.
Returning, she said: mo one comes.
And this poor soldier-he is afflicted.
He does not know what he says"
They call you Jacob?" demanded
the soldier.
The publican made gesture of
assent.
Then, Jacob, go into the rain and
bring back the sword / cast at YOU"
With a cry, Laila ran past the
official, and in a moment was at
Antonius' bedside. with his weapon.
He took it. and toyed with the heavy
hilt.
why have you Gomez" he asked. |
The tax-gatherer glanced at Laila- |