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Show 4 Esther listened eagerly but before she could frame an answer Salome changed the subject by I overheard the king saying. THE DIXIE OWL was a great chorus of applause and King Herod leaned forward and impetuously said, Ask what though wilt and it shall be thine. Esthers face lighted with hope. Anxiously she watched her friend. Some one else was also keenly alert and Herodias smiled a smile of extreme satisfaction as she craftily summoned her daughter to her. Esther saw Salome tremble, the color died out of her cheek, she saw the commanding look of Herodias, then as in a dream she heard her friend say , Live me the head of John the and Philip conversing as I came in, and as it was of thee they were speaking I could but listen. They were plotting against thee, my friend. What hast thou done to Philip, for he was very wroth? And the king sayeth, Thou shalt keep the maid securely guarded, and canst have her as soon as it pleaseth thee. Esther paled and trembled. Oh Salome, he hath sked me to wed with him, and thou know-es- t he hath already taken a maid Baptist. from this court to wife. Nay, Even the king was astounded. more than that he is a vile man. Plainly he had not expected this Oh, what shall I do? Salome, thou and would gladly have retracted alone seemeth my friend here, his words, but now he was powercanst thou not help me? Oh, if less. 1 could but Esther was as one paralyzed. get away but that Were her senses deceiving her or seemeth impossible! Nevertheless the thought once had she heard aright! She sat stunned, bewilderd, the air seemuttered, took root and grew. That evening the reception ed stifling, her head whirled. room was exquisitly lovely as She was conscious of a sneering, Salome and Esther entered it. exhulting face near hers. Herod and Herodias sat on their Plainly some one was pleased. With an effort she arose and thrones languidly gazing at the people as they entered. supporting herself on the marble Salome at a glance went to her columns groped her way out. Once within her own room she mother and Esther sank into a coveted recess where she hoped flung herself on her bed in an to pass unobserved. But a pair agony of grief, and sobbed until of crafty, dark eyes followed her exhausted. Then she arose ami and their owner soon found a tried to collect her bewildered thoughts. Here she was, every place by her side. farshe moved feeling within her crying out Unconsciously ther away. 0 turn not from against the rank injustice of it I wanted but to all. To think that Salome whom me, he said, tell thee, that I have with the she had loved and trusted had king's permission arranged for uttered these terrible words, to that of which I made mention. think that she, Esther, was alone Just then the music started and in all this corruption. Then there was her own trouble; she would prevented further remark. Salome stepped out on the floor and be forced to marry Philip, a vile, began her dance. How graceful loathsome man whom she detestshe was, and as she danced even ed, and Judah 0 where was he Esther forget for a few minutes and what would he think if he her trouble and admired the found her untrue to herself and beautiful girl as she executed him. She had not seen him since with such skill her giaceful movethe night she and Salome had ments.- When she paused there stealthily paid that visit and list She ened to Johns sermon. knew he was a devout follower of John but now John was in prison soon to be beheaded and Judah she must forget him, forget her ideals and be reconciled to her fate. She would endure it, probably by and by she would become indifferent, less sensitive to wrong. 'Lhere seemed to he no other way open to her. With that thought came a strong, mighty one which overpowered it completely. Her fathers words came as an inspiration, We are what we a new life. Well will be. I will to be pure in action, pure in heart She stood up, a new fluid seemed to run through her veins, she felt strong, combative, able to meet any crisis. Quickly gathering a few necessities she stole softly and quietly along the halls until she reached the outer entrance. The night was dark, the better to execute her plan. Slowly she made her way through the garden. The drowsy sentinel heeded her not and so breathing a prayer in her heart, she finally reached the wall. Ilovv should she get out now she wondered, and as if in answer a gate swung open and two men walked up the path. She sank to the ground her heart fluttering wildly, but the men did not notice her so when their footsteps died away, she arose opened the gate that had been left unlocked and hurried on her way. She knew not where she was going or what she would find; she knew naught save that a strong faith was guiding her; she felt only that somehow, somewhere she would find a refuge. For she was fleeing from evil, from sin and corruption. Surely her steps would be guided toward the light. Continued on page II. |