Evening star., 1926-10-30

"HE first duty Of host In
Palestine was to his guest.
After his first shout, Jacob
4 drew back and apologized
to Omar.
The woman's flight excited me, y
he said II did wrong to cry out" !"
lit was my fault" replied the
stranger, gracefully drawing to one
side. Doubtless you wish your man
to run after the woman"
The servant restored the Jeweled
chain to Omar and hurried through
the door. Jacob, torn between his
duty to the richly clad visitor and his
anxiety over the capture OF La1la,
bowed and smiled and nervously
rubbed his hands.
do not concern yourself with me.
said Omar. Go in pursuit Of the
woman, If you choose"
The publican, with rapid apologies.
backed out the door. In a moment he
was running around the side Of his
dwelling, calling to his servant to
follow. Omar stepped into the street.
smiling. and tucking into his breast
the gold and turquoise chain.
Standing with his hands behind
him, he watched the publican as he
hurried from house to house, looking
into the open doors, and making
rapid inquiries Of men who passed by.
Omar smiled more broadly as he noted
that every toWnsman jerked his head
backward, in the Jewish motion of
denial, at Jacobs anxious inquiries.
The second servant had come out of
the stable with the donkey ready
saddled. Jacob called him, and pointed
to him which way to go. Then he him
self proceeded with his excited
search.
Omar walked pace or two forward,
to a point where he could see the door
of the house where Ezra. the village
elder, dwelt. That plump, good
natured townsman was standing in
the doorway. looking about him
placidly.
Jacob stopped before him, for an
instant. Omar could see Ezra's head
move backward. He also saw that
when Jacob turned away Ezra smiled
in deep satisfaction.
His own eyes twinkling. Omar
strolled toward the market place.
He walked past the village inn and
to an open spot where he could see
the road that ran near Laila's home.
There he stopped and waited.
Villagers going past him stared. He
had become q familiar figure about
Jezreel in the last week or 10 days.
but the townspeople never tired Of
examining his gold-embroidered gar
ments, the great emerald that flashed
always in his head-gear, his jeweled
sword and his shoes of soft leather,
finely wrought.
Paying no heed to their Stares and
whispers, he stood with his arms
folded, his bright eyes fixed in the
distance.
Before long he nodded, deliberately.
Around Laila's house came a Roman
soldier.
Behind came a tall Jew, bending
beneath the end of a stretcher. On
the stretcher was Antonius. and at the
rear stumbled the same villager who
had helped bear the soldier away. The
bearers turned in to Laila's house.
the doorway. Then the officer strobe
into view.
Last of all came Maryam and her
mother. They, too, paused before the
door. In a moment the first stretcher
bearer came out, and with the two
women walked slowly toward Mary
ANS home.
Omar walked toward them. The
women were supporting the man
between them, and as the stranger
walked past he could hear the girl
call her companion father"
At the door of Laila's house Omar
gravely saluted the officer, who, with
a quick glance at the others stately
apparel, returned the salute. The
stranger stepped inside.
my greetings to you," he said to
Antonius, who lay upon the floor.
The soldiers face was twisted as if
with pain.
THE Persianw exclaimed Antonius.
He raised himself on his elbow. Can
you give me word of Laila?" he asked.
II have heard" said Omar, leaning
against the door jamb, that the
woman has fled"