Evening star., 1926-11-29


Aaron. the shepherd. was the firs'
20 answer.
stranger" said he, "who are you
and what is it that you seek?"
Laia watched with luminous eyes
as Omar looked slowly around the
circle.
What matters 1t who I am. OF
whence / came?" he answered. "You
have heard Of me. If YOU stay, you
must meet Herod and his vengeance
If you go with me. you go to comfort
and TO safety"
What do you seek-what do you
hope to gain?" pursued Aaron, stead
uy.
Laila stepped between the stranger
and the shepherd.
"In Galilee," she said. there walks
the Spirit Of goodness. and mercy
and kindness, and peace. clothed in
the flesh of man. And here" her
hand swept up until It almost touched
the scarlet cloak of the stranger-"is
q spirit Of evil, and of hate. What
would he seek by sending the wild
men of the desert into Galilee?"
Her fingers were clenched tight as
her words reverberated in the great
cavern. 1.-THE forces of evil always seek
to slay the good. When Jesus walks
the earth. teaching purity and holi.
ness, what would be the mission OF
this man of war, and lies, in sending
the tribesmen into your land with fire
and sword? Answer 1t yourselves, men
of JeZreel!"
The old shepherd turned to his fel'
lows. his face very grave and white.
MY neighbors, 1 shall stay, ne
said.
an stay," said Antonious, care
lesslv inspecting the point of his dag
ger.
"And l." said Jared, "for tell you,
have always feared this stranger
and his soft words"
Omar gazed intentlv into every
face. Some turned their heads away;
some met his eyes.
And all of you prefer to follow this
shameful woman to your death?' he
oueriezl. You prefer to give up
safety, to meet Herod's guards!
There was no answer, the villagers
looking at Aaron and Jared. their lips
drawn with anxiety.
"They all will stay" said Aaron.
"And. stranger, you may CO..
With. a gesture of supreme con-
tempt Omar swung on his heel. beck
oning to the Arabian chief and his
four men. and started toward the en-
trance.
The Arabian, straining forward,
had listened to the conflict between
the woman and the glittering Per-
sian. couched in a language that he
could not understand. Now, as Omar
gestured, the wounded man clutched
Antonius' arm, and looked at him
anXiously.
"Stay." said Antonius, and to make
clear the word. pressed his hand upon
the others shoulder.
Omar laughed.
."Then farewell" he said. Say
vour prayers for the dying, for
Herod's guards are on the mountain
side and your hour is near"
He was gone.
Iaila watched until the scarlet man
tie had fluttered out Of view.
Sand now" she said, II, too, shall
70, for l have other things to do"
Here" Antonius called. 1.-The sol
diers will slay you. You must stay!
She smiled tenderly. Il thank you,
Antonius, for thinking of my safety.
But | have Travelled a long route since
/ first left Jerusalem. and there are
many deeds I must undo. If they Kill
me, then my course is run. Good
by"
She followed after Omar into the
dark corridor.
A restless stirring came TO the men
and women who had listened. An
tonius stilled them by rattling his
sword against the floor.
I'VE have made our choice" he
said. 'and it means that we must
fight within an hour. There was
light in Omar's eve that told his
thought--in the time 1t takes him to
bear word to Herod'S troops they Will
begin their march upon the cave
"Why should he do it?" Ezra said.
his voice shaking. I'VE have done
him no HARM
Those who are evil do evil for
evils sake" answered Jared. "and the
woman spoke the truth-this Omar
has dealt in wickedness among us,
and we must pay the score"
1nstinc,ively, the villagers gathered
around Antonius. to await the Or
ders of this trained warrior.
"My trade is fighting" said the SOL
dier. "and l shall go out first. Our
only chance is TO hold the narrow
path. These Arabian servants will
carry me to the place where the
path begins. 1t is narrow, and only
one man can pass at time"
He laughed. cheerfully. II must
fight sitting down. so III take a dis.
abled iaan to help me. This chief
here shall be borne out next, to lie
behind me and sting with his sword
when they've slain me-
Soldier said Aaron. interrupting.
IT am strong and active, and can kill
with my sling at so PAGES. I should
be put out there on the path"
Your turn will come," said An.