Evening star., 1926-11-16
SYNOPSIS or PRECEDING CHAPTERS.
CHAPTER XXXVI.

The soldier stroked his chin. com
placently. Evidently her mind turns
to me-" he said
The shepherd went on: She asks
If you will cause Lails or Omar the
Persian to seek for her young man."
oh said Antonius. with disap-
rointment is that aIl?'
she is ashamed to have it known
in the village that she has talked with
the Arabian woman" the old man ex-
planned. and she fears evil from this
Omar. But she believes they can help
her, and she knows you see them
sometimes"
Antonius gave short laugh. You
may have heard of the god called
Cupid he said. who helps lovers to
their trysts. So Maryam wants me
to play Cupid. does she?"
The shepherds eyes twinkled. I've
played the part myself in days past. =
he said. Stroking his beard. Indeed
If I could find the youth that Maryam
seeks. Id he Cupid again. Since her
fathers flight. the man who had
sought her in marriage sent word that
he cannot we'd the daughter Of
prescribed man--and when she heard
Ine message Sne danced aDOut ana
sang"
II told her once that | was willing
tn marry her myself. offered
Antonus.
The shepherd sighed. You are
Roman. and YOU cannot understand"
said he. doubtless in your eyes you
meant ii as an honor. yet to her it
would he sore disgrace. The Jews are
crushed beneath the heel of Herod.
and of Caesar. yet they are proud.
They have their ancient laws and Gus
toms by which they live. and Jewish
maiden may not marry Gentle.
soldier. and ever again be greeted by
her kindred"
While he talked. Antonius' mind
had wandered
If Herod's men are coming to me.
they will come soon" he said. You
would better he on your way
Il cannot go until nghtfall." Aaron
said. II have taken my life in my
hands. but I did il by night. If stir
abroad in daylight. shall he seized"
But if they come here. they will
find YOU objected the soldier.
Aaron smiled. Not so-if you keep
silence"
He arose. and reaching upward his
long arms. grasped one of the cross
poles that supported the thatched roof.
Drawing himself from the floor he
pushed with one hand at a mass of
dried twigs that formed part of the
ceiling. II moved aside, disclosing a
cavity.
See" he said. Pulling back the
tvigs. he dropped to the floor. There
In room for five men to sleep there in
security" he said. when | entered
here last night. | went there. and
slumbered until morning. for was
weary
He came back to Antonius' side
and sat down, curling his legs under
him I'm the days when Caesars
troops first invaded Gallee." he said.
and there was fighting on the hills
and along the valleys. the Jewish
soldiers rested here. when they were
on secret missions on the plain Of
Esdraelon. That hiding place has
been in the roof full 400 years.
though five times the thatch has
burned. Each time. to prepare for
what may chance. the villagers have
replaced the roof exactly as it was
hefore-but secretly"
Then why do YOU tell me-" in
ouired Antonius. Il am a soldier of
Caesar"
Necessity first" answered Aaron.
And. further, though your ways are
wild and your speech is cruel, know,
soldier. that you will not tell"
"Humph" responded Antonius.
doubtfully. Maybe | shall tell" He
smiled. then. Though whom | can
tell, do not know"
His thoughts reverted to the press
ing question of Herods quest for
vengeance. Aaron" he said. you
said there was no witness to Jared s
march 10 the Jordan. save me. and
the slave. and the other bearer of the
stretcher. Yet Jacob the publican is
the informer. you surmise. and he saw
Jared with the Arahians."
Jacob the old man said sternly,
"is a publican. and the word of
publican is not taken in any court Of
the Jews"
Il have heard that-somebody told
me once before" replied AntonIus
Yet will Herod take such a case be
fore your Sanhedrin? Will he not