Evening star., 1926-10-19

OuSly.
Woman. come out" called the
publican.
Laila looked at the soldier TO,
counsel. He smiled cheerfully, ant
placed his finger against his lips.
Woman shouted the publican
again. The two within the house were
silent.
The cvrtain at the door was
cautiously pulled to one side. and ar
armed man, one of Jacobs followers
appeared.
There was a swish; the Poman's
sword hurtled through the ar, and a
howl resounded as the man in the door
way tumbled out of vision. Antonius
hauled bark his sword by it's linen
cable. and got 1t In position for
further service.
The sound of voices in consultation
could be heard. Then Jacob spoke
again. close to the opening, but
cautiously out of Antonius' range.
woman. your poll tax is unpaid.
Unless the money is placed on the
door-sill, now. you will he arrested
when YOU next stir abroad. Then If
you do not pay the tax. with a
penalty. you will he sold. to serve
until the tax Is paid.
Laila made nervous motions inside
the bosom of her robe, as If searching
for her pouch OF money. Antonius
waved her back
"You publican he shouted. do
you hear me?"
II hear you," came the others voice
Then heeone. and do not come
again, or l swear by Jupiter, Janus
and all the other gods that wher'
next ! am abroad l will pursue you
from this village, up into the noun.
off
there"
There was silence. and then a
further sound of law voices, Jacob
spoke again.
MY business is not with you, but
with the woman" he said
She feeds me and attends me-"
retorted Antonius. What you take
from her you take from me. Be
gone
The voices sounded again, but more
taintlN. Laila ran to the door. and
looked through the crack of the
curtain.
They are going" she said. sink
ing down as if exhausted And
this means that | may not 60 out of
the house again Jacob will put me in
prison and find reason for leaving
me there. whether | pay the tax or
not
And T." said the soldier, ''assuredly
will remove his skin"
Much comfort that will he to me-"
said she. "1f | have TO stay in prison.
what do care what becomes of
Jacoh?"
Antonius attention had wandered.
He was inspecting his sword, care.
fully. GO out and bring rough
stone" said he. THE edge of this
blade is dulled."
Laila went. first making sure that
her foes were out of view. When
she returned. painting under the
weight of a heavy rock, the soldier
Il have thought" said he. THE
people of the village hate this tax.
Ratherer do they not?"
She dropped the stone beside him
There is no word to describe their
hate" said she They will not take
q puhlican's word before their judges.
and he may not even enter their
temples. They speak of him as they
speak Of outlaws and murderers."
Them. Antonius said. -! shall
provide myself with q manservant,
father OF the family in the next
house-Maryam's father"
The woman went out the door
Nearly half An hour elapsed An.
tonius lying back, in meditaaion
When Laila reappesred a tall man
came with her--Jared. Maryam s
father. The newcomer made a gesture
of refusal AS she held the curtain aside
for him to enter.
II shall not set foot in the house"
eaid hc This woman saws YOU
summoned me-" he added. to Antonius
Come in" said the soldier
81 cannot or | shall he 1efilpd - Ga j6
Jared
AntOniuS made a movement of his
sword. The older man stood motion
less. IF YOU seek me in peace. shall
be glad to serve YOU" said he. "If you
threaten me, ! shall go, and not
return"
He gazed with unblinking eyes at the
man on the pallet. The soldier laid
aside his weapons and smiled approx
ingly.
Well said" he answered. Il had for.
gotten that there We're men in Jezreel.
as well as Jacob and his vermin." He
turned on his side. carefully moving
his injured leg to relieve the strain
upon II. "AS YOU see he continued
~ am hurt
Jared inclined his head.
"A short time ago | drove away
the publican and his servents" An
|
one of them with my sword.
May YOU he rewarded" cravely said
villager
But" proceeded Antonius. this
woman here no longer dares to stir
abroad. or she will he placed in prison
/ need her to cook for me and provide
my wants. But no one remains to go
to buy meat and bread and wine"
Jared passed his hand thought
fully along his beard
Il get your thought" ne said, "and
l shall do AS YOU wish. I have a bond
slave, who is a sore trial to me-a
the manner Of my people and is an
outcast among them My other
servants will not eat with him. nor
dwell in the same house. and my
family cannot allow him to touch
their food. nor their utensils. And /
cannot sell him.
Said Antonius: Il would not want
a slave who could not serve me. How
did YOU chance TO buy him."
Jared's face became stern. and he
delayed moment before replvinc.
II got him through my lord. the
Tetrarch Herod. the son Of Herod."
he said SLOWLY. Il did service for
the tetrarch for which he owed me
certain sums He gave me the bonds
ma n 10 discharge the debt"
Antonius laughed. Gould Herod use
the slave"
"Only in small things" said the
Jared.
"a thrifty tetrarch. truly" said the
soldier. and one whom YOU must
love-
Jared compressed his lips. He is
the tetrarch." said he. and IL does
not hecome his lowlN subject Ia speak
against him.
Would the people Of dalilee he
grteNed if something hppened To this
Herod An'ipas? inquired tho soldier
For instance. U he should be taken