Page 103 (2/2)

stepped aside for her sake"

"You ravely The Maccabee slowly lifted his eyes fro shepherd's face, till they rested on the slope of sky filled

with stars visible through the open door

"And she would have o on to this city, to the one aits lad to see; take up the labor that will

be robbed of its chief joy in its success and live the long, long days

of life without her?"

The boy made no answer to this; he knew that this white-facedwith hiht of the failing fire without, he saw that face sober, take on

shadow and grow immeasurably sad The minutes passed and he knew that

the Maccabee would not speak again

Thereafter followed three days of silence, except the essential

coainst his weakness

and unsteadiness On the fourth day the Maccabee declared that he was

able to travel Joseph protested, but not for long He had learned in

the sojourn of his guest that thisas he

pleased So the shepherd sighed and let hio reluctantly

"But," he insisted to the last e If Jerusaleht struck him

"She," he said in a low tone, "promised that she would come"