The City of Delight

There was no need for the pair left behind to await a realization of

all that the loss meant to them. One running swiftly as a fine young

creature can run when spurred by desperation, and the other, lamely

but doggedly, as an old determined man, rushed down the rough side of

the slope, leaped into the roadway and ran irrationally after the

fugitive mounted upon a camel, fleeter than the fastest horse.

Momus saw with fear that Laodice on this straight inviting road would

out-distance him to her peril. He shouted inarticulately after her,

but her reply came back, high with desperation and terror.

"The corner-stone of Israel! All his treasure! God's portion, lost,

lost!"

She was out of his sight. The sudden barking of dogs told him that she

had crossed the outskirts of the village, and groaning with alarm for

her the old man stumbled on after her. He saw lights flash out; heard

shouts, and out of the confusion distinguished Laodice's, vehement and

urging. The yapping of the town curs became less threatening and, by

the time Momus reached the settlement, half-dressed Jews were hurrying

east out of the village after the flying feet of the girl, in pursuit

of the robber.

For unmeasured time, while the moon crossed its meridian and sloped

down the west, the search continued. Momus did not overtake the

fleet-footed party that preceded him. Stragglers that lost interest

dropped back with him from time to time; but finding him dumb and

immensely distressed, they disappeared eventually and returned to the

town. One by one, at times by twos and threes the party dropped off.

The three or four who remained helpful continued against hope, for

simple pity for the girl. But when she dropped suddenly by the

wayside, exhausted with the strain of many troubles, they stopped to

tell her that the chase was fruitless and to offer their rough

condolences.

Then Momus hobbled up to them. Laodice refused to raise her head to

listen to them and they turned to the old man. But by signs, he showed

them that his tongue was dead, and finally, with suppressed remarks

upon the exceeding misfortune of the pair, they, too, disappeared. A

thoughtful one invited them to return to the village. Laodice,

careless now of what he should think of his exposure to pestilence,

told him bluntly that they were unclean. Hastily he exclaimed at the

sum of their troubles, hastily blessed them, and hastily departed.

There was a pallor along the under-rim of the east; the wind freshened

with the sweet vigor of early morning.

Over the stunned silence came the sound of the infinite trotting of

tiny hooves and a high, wild, youthful yell. Laodice, too worn to

observe, sat still; but Momus, with a rush of old fairy-tales in mind,

sprang to her side and seized her arm. His alarmed eyes searched the

dark landscape for whatever visitation it had to reveal.