Evening star., 1926-11-09
Is g Gaf1a = :
1925. by Eugene MacIean.)

ceeded to stuff his mouth with the
soft. spongy contents Of the linen
sack. The crowd stood back, watch
ing and chattering.
go away" said Antonius, at last
He fiourished his dagger, and the
men stepped backward. The soldier
reached alongside the wall. where the
dripping Of rain from the roof had
barred q gutter Of small stones. He
hurled a f1stful Of the rocks at the
spectators.
They retreated. Feeding himself
with one hand, he amused himself
by aiming pebbles at all who re-
manned within range.
A glance about him showed that
he was at the entrance Of the
largest room of the inn, and that It
was unfurnished. Nothing offered
Of water before the door. Antonius
dropped on his face, and drank
thirstily from the muddy pool.
Unlike Laila's humble dwelling, the
inn was fitted with g. heavy wooden
door, that had stood open in token
that the place was unoccupied. It
was hung on wooden hinges and fast.
ened with q double bar, made Of
oak, dropping into a deep slot.
Antonius worked his way inside,
and closed and barred the door.
Refreshed with food, he leaned back
against the wall, and fell asleep.
When he awakened, the night was
far advanced. Dimly he was aware
of tapping on the door beside him.
He stirred, cooked his head and list
ened. The tapping continued, steadily.
You can't come In" he called.
81
side, answering him.
who is it?" he shouted.
There was a reply. but he could
not make out the words. Reaching
above his head, he lifted the bars Of
the door, and swung the thick wood
en- slab.
"It is Laila" said the voice.
Antonius swung tho door open.
"Come in," he ordered.
The Arabian woman entered and
swung the door shut behind her.
There was no light, and cautiously
feeling with her hand, she located the
soldiers head.
He grasped her wrist. so tightly
that she cried out.
"I'll beat you now for stealing my
money!" he said.
Suiting the action to the word, he
She gave a sobbing gasp of pain and
pulled back. Unable to pull his pow
erful fingers from her wrist, she was
drawn toward him again. Once more
he dealt her a buffet.
In an instant Antonius himself
cried out. Laila had sunk her sharp
teeth into the back Of his hand. He
snatched the injured member away,
and she retreated
You desert devil!" he growled.
sucking his wound.
His ear detected a rust.:-g Of her
garments, and he hitched himself
sidewise. so his back rested against
the door.
You'll not go out Of here" he told
her.
She was silent. He listened for q
moment
why did you Gomez" he de-
manded. I.aila made no reply. II
laid there in your house without
bite to eat. nor anything to drink,
nor anybody to speak with" he con-
tinued. MY money gone-I suppose
you have spent 1t by this time"
Laila's voice was quiet and com.
posed.
mo. have not spent it," she said.
Il have even more than / took away
with me. And 1 believe you lie when
you say your money is gone"
Omar's advice flashed across An
tonius' mind-the advice to send
word to Laila that he was once again
in funds.
You are a shrewd woman" he
said.
He could hear the woman laugh
little.
WORD came to me-" she said, that
you had sold all Jared's effects to
get him out of prison, and sent his
family into the hills-and that you
kept the money"
oh" responded Antonius. And
who bore that message to you?"
Nobody" she said. AT least, 1t
was not told to me as a fact. I saw
Omar, and he approached me, and
laughed. and told me enough so 1
surmised the rest. Where is the
money!"
Il shall not tell YOU" Antonius
answered. truthfully. But II you
have money. you can buy me food
and wine and milk"
"why should II" she inquired. ana
laughed aloud. in mockery. MY old
enemy. the publican, 1s In prison.