Evening star., 1926-11-04
nued from yesterdays STAR
CHAPTER. XIV.

|
| thundered.
Behind him the other occupants of
| the room started awake, gasping.
The figure in the doorway spread
| it's arms.
Peace be with you 1t was q deep,
quiet voice. II am Aaron, the
| shepherd, and I come as a friend"
The soldier dropped his arm. A
| sigh of relief arose from the women
and the two manservants in the dark
! interior of the house.
| Il bring news of Jared" continued
| the shepherd.
He stepped into the room. Who
are these people whom l see behind
your" he asked.
"Jared's family and servants"
| AntoniuS said.
The occupants Of the house could
see Aaron. dimly, as he leaned upon
his long staff.
| "Jared was arrested upon false
charges" the shepherd said.
An excited babble arose from
Maryam, her mother and the serv
ants.
Peace" shouted the soldier. Keep
, quiet, fools, so can hear what the
| shepherd has to tell"
The chatter subsided, and Aaron
| went on: Word travels fast in
IdllISe, anu tIllS tdlc Has JuSI GOIIiC.
| Herod the Tetrarch has been told
that the Parthians and Arabians plan
a great raid or Galilee, and that they
| intend to take him away a prisoner.
| He also has been told that Jared ac-
| companied a party of Arabians as far
as the Jordan, and that he is in
| their confidence.
He was arrested on the charge of
stealing the brass trays he sold
yesterday-but he is to be brought
before Herod for treason"
A blank silence followed these
| words. Then the voices of the women
| arose, wailing.
'Silencei" Antonius roared. Peace!
| Must we have this foolish weeping
when there are things to be done?"
He lay quiet for a time. as the
| noise Of the women subsided into
clicking sobs.
Aaron" he said. you have done
we'll to tell me. There is enough in
to convict my neighbor. He will be
found guilty and executed unless
something is done"
Maryam's mother shricked. The
girl sought to quiet her, back in the
corner where they lay.
yet" said AntoniuS, reflectively.
| II know he is not guilty and" he
turned his head toward the women.
| Peace. he ordered again.
IF he could be brought before the
courts Of the Jews, he would escape"
| said Aaron, hopefully.
'IIerod will not send him before
! the Sanhedrin." said Antonius. He
will sit as judge himself--and condemn
| him. I cannot go to give testimony"
He stopped again.
"Can I bear any word for you?'
asked the shepherd
Antonius waited moment before
he replied. Yes, he said Discover
Omar, who calls himself the Persian.
He left Jezreel many hours ago. do
not know which way he marched.
but he must be found. If you
cannot find him. find my comrades:
the soldiers. for they rescued Jared
and me from the Arabians. But
hasten-if you delay too long. Jared
will be tortured and executed"
The women, in the blackness of
the inner room. were moaning now, In
Il wish" said the soldier, i'm
patiently, that had left you in
your house. You disturb my
thoughts
The shepherd stood immovable.
outlined against the dim light of the
doorway. MAY I tell your errand to
Ezra, the good elder?" he asked. -.
Yesbut usa to r,ar no arc ens too msny elss
spies and informers abroad in Galilee
to talk freely Of such thing as this"
IL wanted to ask Ezra to give us
aid," the shepherd said. He can
send his servants in each direction.
And I, who am strong and fleet,
though an old man, will run toward
Bethshean. where it may be Omar
has gone"
He turned. and was gone.
Maryam, muffied in her mantle,
slipped out the door, and soon re-
turned with a coal of fire from her
home. The servants brought dried
grasses and twigs from Laila's store
behind the house, and soon they had
fire burning upon the f1oor, the
smoke finding its way through an
aperture in the roof.
Without waiting for orders. the
women heated food over the fire,
and offered it to Antonius.
"An excellent thought" he approved.
II am hungry from watching"
They served him, and waited until
he had finished eating before they
took any of the food themselves.
Then, crouched beside the little fire,
they ate. and talked of the danger
in which Jared lay.
The circle of men and women still
was awake when daylight came.
Shall we go to our own homer!
asked Maryam, after the women had
rolled up their beds.
"Stay here" Antonius directed.
| When a man is arrested on such a
WVVVVVNW~