Evening star., 1926-11-08

It was the middle of the afternoon
before Antonius awakened. He lay
in the same position as when he fell
asleep, one hand upon the hilt of his
sword. the other resting on the
ground, relaxed palm upward.
"Ho." he said, blinking and moving
his head.
hard rain was falling. pattering in
the puddles that lay before the door.
He stared through the open doorway
as he yawned and stretched
"Ho.' he said again. Il want some
food
He turned to look into the interior
of the room. where Laila had waited
to serve him. and after Laila, Maryam
and her household. No one was there.
Antonius swore a round Roman oath.
Then his eye fell upon jug of milk
and a platter of honey cakes and
wheaton bread that Maryam had
thoughtfully placed for him before
she went away. His frown vanished
and he raised the jug to his lips,
drinking deeply.
"Ho.' he said, a third time, with
deep satisfaction.
He took one of the circular loaves
and bit into it. AS he ate. he d1scoV'
cred a Joint of lamb. showing under
a wrapping Of linen cloth. cooked and
ready for a later meal. Behind it was
a tall jar of wine.
Antonius burst into song. After
he had consumed the milk and bread
and cakes. with a wolfish appetite, he
settled back on his cushions. and
stared out of doors. The only figure
to be seen was that of the tall Phari-
see-the only member of the sect that
Antonius had seen in the village. The
soldier watched the devotee as he
marched grimly through the rain,
looking neither to the right nor to the
left, until he was out of sight.
When the Pharisee was gone
Antonius blinked at the ceiling for a
time, and then fell to sharpening his
sword.
Won't need you for while" he
said affectionately and aloud, as he
thrust the blade into his sheath, and
laid aside the milestone.
Later he became restless. If any
villagers were abroad they did not
cross the range of Antonius' vision.
With infinite labor. he managed to
pull his low bed partially through the
door. The rain beat into his face. but
he could see, now. into the village,
and watch the distant men and women
who hurried through the downpour,
their mantles drawn over their heads.
AlttI dII Iloul lIliS
= palled on him, and he worked himself
downward in the bed until he could
reach the wine jar. Grunting as the
motion drew upon the muscles of his
broken leg. he dragged the jar to-
ward him, and fitting it, took a long
draught.
Il wish Laila. or Maryam. or some
body would come" he grumbled, as he
placed the heavy piece of crockery
on the floor.
Not until sunset. however, was
there any answer to his wish. 1t was
Aaron. the shepherd. who came.
Are you supplied with food and
drink asked the old man.
"Yes-out, it,s~1oResome~- here" an
swered Antonius. Come into the
room. and sit down. and talk
Il have other errands to perform
Aaron said. But your leg has gone
too long without redressing."
He threw the mantle off the sol
dier's injured limb. and began un-
wrapping the bandages. There was a
clink of metal and the two gold pieces
that Antonius had taken from Mary
ans pouch rolled to the floor.
You are fortunate" said the shep-
herd. picking up the money and hand
ing it to AntoniuS. II have labored
all the days of a long life. and have
not accumulated so much"
He finished the removal of the band