Evening star., 1926-11-27

that you call nome.
His resonant voice dropped.
II thought" said Antonius, break
ing the silence. that you and they
planned to slay new King that Is
rising among the Jews"
Omar gave an exclamation Of i'm
patience. what does our object mat
ter. If the end be gained?" he de
manded. What do these men care
what seek. or the tribesmen seek. If
they come safely to their homes
again?"
He walked over to Antonius. and
touched him. "And what matters il
to you, the course the villagers take :
You have made your agreement. have
you not? Are you satisfied with 1t
II would do much for gold. said
the soldier slowly.
The villagers were watching them
closely. Omar turned to the Arabian
chief, and spoke to him in his own
tongue The chief tapped the handl"
of his sword. and smiled.
"The soldier and the desert warrior
approve" said Omar. Take council
together and decide what you Will
do"
He turned his back. and, walking To
the entrance, stood looking out into
the black corridor, his robe sweeping
out on the floor behind him.
The men Of JeZreel drew together.
and talked in low tones. glancing ovel
their shoulders now and then at th'
gentiles who waited.
Aaron detached himself from their
group. and addressed Omar.
"What part is the soldier TO play
he asked.
"A soldiers part" Omar answered
without turning his head. 'Ile will
drill the warriors to march as Roma IL
soldiers march, and tC wear Their
arms as the Romans wear them. Th''
guards of Herod will not know that
they are enemies until the moment
comes to strike"
Aaron returned to his friends, AM
the conversation recommended. After
a time the group moved to Antonlus
and circled him.
what were your words about a
new King, and Staying Him? h''
asked.
"All I know is the message that
Omar gave me" said the soldier. lie
said there is a prophecy OF new
Ruler who shall arise among your
people, who shall be greater than
kings. and whom the tribes seek I"
Destroy
'Herod had such word" said Jared.
"and sent forth men to slay the babes
in Bethlehem-yet no word Is among
US of a king"
He turned to Omar. who stood i'm
passively waiting. 1--WE shall 60" he
said. 1--WE ask safe conduct, and II
promise that we shall not be scattered
while we are in a foreign land. And
we ask a pledge that we shall return
to our homes"
What pledge?" asked Omar, trown
ing.
stranger" said Jared, I'VE do not
know you, nor whence you came. We
fear your glance, and we mlstrus'
you"
Omar turned. and bowed s;tl
donically.
But our strait is desperate. Jared
went on, ''and we do not know wher"
to turn Our food is gone, and Herod
is cruel We ask that the soldier
here"-he pointed at Antonius-glV'
us his word and remain with Us
throughout the journey. His ways are
hard, and his touch is contamination
yet without him we fear that we snail
be- lost"
The stranger waited for Antonius
to speak.
rassed, my word is not good. often
break it,
yet give it to us nevertheless, "
said Aaron.
II shall do what l can" Antoniu>
said. But my leg is not healed. and
l am like a broken blade.
Omar swung his mantle over MS
shoulder, and stepped backward as II
in retreat.
"Prepare to go, then. at nightfall,
he said "Sleep if you can, for the
way will be hard and the journey Il
weary one"
I'VE shall be ready" said Aaron.
The stranger turned, and strode
into the corridor. The folk in the
cave were still. as the full import at
what they had undertaken came 7"
their minds.
AntoniuS spoke sharply.
"Why. look" he said.
They turned their eyes, and saw
Omar reappearing. walking backward
as if in retreat.
He had almost reached their CircE
when he stopped. In moment an
other figure appeared in the entrance
shadowy in the darkness.
The men took a quick step forward
their hands touching the weapons at
their belts.
Then came a wOman's voice.
peace be unto you"
"And unto you be peace" the shep
herd said, after an instant's pause
Approach, woman, and tell us VIII
are you"
She came forward. and as she walk
ed, Omar moved backward, not TAX
ing his eyes from her. She was scarce
10 feet from Antonius, when he CRIED
out:
"Lailav'
A sigh of relief came from the
villagers.
Woman" said Jared, sternly
what are you doing here?"
She stopped, her hands before her
IT have come a long way, through
many perils, to bring a message t.
you," she said.
Antonius' ear caught somethinl
| strangely sweet in her utterance
"You are in friendly mood, Laila,
| he said. smiling.
She turned her large. dark eye:
upon him seriously.
| II am not the same woman VIII,
fled from the inn in Jezreel," she said
"And in token, I have brought bach
what took from you"
She tossed a purse to him, and il
| fell with a pleasant jingle. He snatch
ed it, and opened it. MY money! ht
cried, with delight.
| 1.-The money | took from yOu,' shs
said. Return it, soldier, where il
rightfully belongs, for neither is il
| yours
| Jared spoke again.
| Give your message" he said. alb
| ruptly. And when you have given it
withdraw from us"
Her hand slowly lifted. "I have
come to warn you." she said. her tons
full and clear. that this being here
leads you to destruction"
| She indicated Omar. They glanced
at him, and saw that he was shrink
| ing back, stepping slowly as if I,
circle the woman, and escape.