Evening star., 1926-11-01

Maryam turned pale and drew back.
"Nfy lorl the soldier would not have
taken H1e ns a slave!" she gasped.
Antonius' eyes twinkled. II am
soldier. and 1 take all that the for
tunes of war bring me-even lovely
maidens as my slaves"
She covered her face with her
hands and trembling, began to arise.
"Sit down." he commanded.
She obeyed. her face still covered.
II am hurt, and can scarcely move,'
he said. You need not fear me. But
why would you not wish to be my
slave?"
Maryam's hands dropped and twist
ed themselves together.
My lord tests with me-" she said.
But suppose l were to marry you?"
he urged
Maryam drew back still farther. 1T
could not be-" she said. II am a
daughter Of the race OF Israel You
are a Gentle. a believer in strange
gods. n scorner of those things my
people hold sacred"
"Poof!" cried Antonius Il do not
give that hn snapped his fingers
for Jupiter Juno. Janus or any Of
the rest cf them. No--not for Astarte,
neither. who is goddess up IN Tyre.
nor the Isis of the Egyptions. nor the
.
East. But what have the gods to do
with love
The eirl cast her eyes down sadly,
And what has love 70 do with YOU
and 1ae?"
Antonius frowned. Il am a Roman
freeman. 1t was an honor that l
mentioned when l spoke ~ making
YOU my wife.
Maryam kept her gaze upon the
~ ol-a
me an outcaft among my kindred and
hiring my farmers head low in shame"
She looked up. My lord. | will speak
Uf pleasant things and seek to beguile
your pain. But forget these matters
of which you have spoken"
"Why forget them?" he inquired
''They are pleasant. In Rome the
Imaidens dream Of love"
But they would mean death to me-"
she said, earnestly. Il would slay
,nyself with my own hand before 1
would become the slave OF an un-
believer or hts bride
"Ho," exclaimed the soldier II un-
derstand. You love some one else"
Maryam blushed 'It is taught
she said. that 1t Is not necessary to
love before marriage. Love comes
;4fter and IS the duty Of n wife to her
husband" She gave him quick
Glance. did the Arabian woman tell
ION anything OF me?'
Antonius readjusted himself among
,he cushions. What" he asked.
would she have told me-"
The girls face was aglow. IT will
yell, because I believe my lord the
;-uldier is good, and was only jesting
a, Hktle while ago" She glanced eau
7iUcsly out she door. No one was in
sight. Before l was borne away by
tho men Of the desert" she said, my
1ather had approved Of my betrothal
10 d man Of substance. who dwells to
The North. But before I could be
Iound to this suitor the Arabians
s4me.'
She moved nearer ana dropped her
<nice. "Not long since saw a young
.nan in the fields. He was Comely-
van and strong. wide-eyed with intelN
;.ence. And Iaila told me he had
,one to this house seeking word
If me-
She paused exrectantly. Antonius
pursed out his lips.
He came since you were hurt" she
ndded.
Il saw no such man." the soldier
Naryam showed disappointment.
But he surely came, for Laila gave
Ine word"
Il do not like this young man."
kaii Antontus, somewhat sourly.
But yoV would" she exclaimed.
,Iasping her hands. ''Iie ii tireiy
nodded and ha"d~ome.'
AM mot Hand>ume?"
She ,oUn"d ~ him in Wonderment.
"Why. ny ,nlr" your eyes are light.
J OF DARK. N"ur hair is light, not
black. lcn Wear no beard. It may
mAn a.. al tn
.un land -. -e considered hand