The City of Delight | Page 4

he observed. "We have cause. The
procurators have been of a nature with their patrons, the emperors. It is
enough but to say that! But Vespasian Cæsar is another kind of man.
He is tractable. Young Titus, who will succeed him, is well-named the
Darling of Mankind. We could get much redress from these if we
would be content with redress. But no! We must revert to the days of
Saul!"

"Yes; but they declare they will have no king but God; no commander
but the Messiah to come; no order but primitive impulse! But the
Maccabee will change all that! It is but the far swing of the first revolt.
Jerusalem is ready for reason at this hour, it is said."
"Yes," Philip assented with a little more spirit. "It hath reached us, who
have dealings with the East, that there is a better feeling in the city.
Such slaughter has been done there among the Sadducees, such hordes
of rebels from outlying subjugated towns have poured their license and
violence in upon the safe City of Delight, that the citizens of Jerusalem
actually look forward to the coming of Titus as a deliverance from the
afflictions which their own people have visited upon them."
"The hour for the Maccabee, indeed," Costobarus ruminated.
"And the hour for Him whom we all expect," Philip added in a low tone.
Costobarus bowed his head. Presently he drew a scroll from the folds
of his ample robe.
"Hear what Philadelphus writes me:
Cæsarea, II Kal. Jul. XX.
To Costobarus, greetings and these by messenger;
I learn on arriving in this city that Judea is in truth no man's country.
Wherefore it can be mine by cession or conquest. It is mine, however,
by right. I shall possess it.
I go hence to Jerusalem.
Fail not to send my wife thither and her dowry. Aquila, my emissary,
will safely conduct her. Trust him.
Proceed with despatch and husband the dowry of your daughter, since
it is to be the corner-stone of a new Israel.
Peace to you and yours. To my wife my affection and my loyalty.

PHILADELPHUS MACCABAEUS.
Nota Bene. Julian of Ephesus accompanies me. He is my cousin. He
will in all probability meet your daughter at the Gate.
MACCABAEUS."
Slowly the old man rolled the writing.
"He wastes no words," Philip mused. "He writes as a siege-engine
talks--without quarter."
Costobarus nodded.
"So I am giving him two hundred talents," he said deliberately.
"Two hundred talents!" Philip echoed.
"And I summoned thee, Philip, to say that in addition to my house and
its goods, thou canst have my shipping, my trade, my caravans, which
thou hast coveted so long at a price--at that price. I shall give Laodice
two hundred talents."
"Two hundred talents!" Philip echoed again, somewhat taken aback.
Costobarus went to a cabinet on the wall and drew forth a shittim-wood
case which he unlocked. Therefrom he took a small casket and opened
it. He then held it so that the sun, falling into it, set fire to a bed of
loose gems mingled without care for kind or value--a heap of glowing
color emitting sparks.
"Here are one hundred of the talents," Costobarus said.
A flash of understanding lighted Philip's face not unmingled with the
satisfaction of a shrewd Jew who has pleased himself at business. One
hundred talents, then, for the best establishment in five cities, in all the
Philistine country. But why? Costobarus supplied the answer at that
instant.

"I would depart with my daughter by mid-afternoon," he said.
"I doubt the counting houses; if I had known sooner--" Philip began.
"Aquila arrived only this morning. I sent a messenger to you at once."
Philip rose.
"We waste time in talk. I shall inform thee by messenger presently.
God speed thee! My blessings on thy son-in-law and on thy daughter!"
Costobarus rose and took his friend's hand.
"Thou shalt have the portion of the wise-hearted man in this kingdom.
And this yet further, my friend. If perchance the uncertainties of travel
in this distressed land should prove disastrous and I should not return, I
shall leave a widow here--"
"And in that instance, be at peace. I am thy brother."
Costobarus pressed Philip's hand.
"Farewell," he said; and Philip embraced him and went forth.
Costobarus turned to one of his closed windows and thrust it open, for
the influence of the spring sun had made itself felt in the past important
hour for Costobarus.
Noon stood beautiful and golden over the city. The sky was
clean-washed and blue, and the surface of the Mediterranean, glimpsed
over white house-tops that dropped away toward the sea-front, was a
wandering sheet of flashing silver. Here and there were the ruins of the
last year's warfare, but over the fallen walls of gray