ath, my beloved," Mary said quickly, "when life hath
just begun."

"Thou hast great faith, Mary, yea and great love. Yet do shadows
sometimes fall across thy heart. So also doth fear cast over my heart
shadows. Last night in the stillness, words I heard spoken in
Jerusalem did come to me until from the darkness that hung roundabout,
a cross did seem to lift itself and afar I seemed to hear my own voice
calling faintly for water."

"Nay, nay," and there was fear and the burden of a sob in Mary's voice.
"Tell me not this evil thing! It doth make the shadow of the cross to
fall upon my heart, dark and heavy."

"Be not burdened with it for from my heart all shadow fled with the
coming of the new day. And to-night, this blessed night, do I feel
life never held so much. Love maketh it doubly sweet."

"Thou art right. The cross were but a troubled dream. For malefactors
and thieves and slaves of Rome is the cross. But not for a Prophet--a
Rabbi--a Teacher--aye, a King."

"Not for a King sayest thou? Herein lieth my danger. Pilate's ear is
never closed nor his lust for blood ever satisfied, neither his greed
for the approval of Caesar, and Pilate's crosses are ever ready for
those who stir up the people. But weep not nor let thy heart be
troubled. The uplifted cross of the dream I take as warning. Daily I
teach in the Temple and none dare take me for my following. At night I
abide without the city, where, none know save those who are my friends.
When the Passover is done, I will go away for a season."

"Wilt thou be with us to-morrow? Ah, wilt thou come again to me when
the moon doth rise after to-morrow's busy day?"

"On the morrow we sit at meat with Simon. The Passover supper I eat
with my disciples in the city, for so have I given my promise. If all
go well I will return to thee when the moon cometh. If I am late, wait
thou until the crowing of the cock, for where my treasure is, there is
my heart also, and thither will my feet turn though the hour is late."

The crowing of a cock beyond the garden wall told the man and woman on
the old stone bench that the hour was late. They arose and stood
together just at the edge of the wavering shadows cast by the ancient
tree.

"Alone on Olivet!" Jesus said in subdued voice. "How calm--how holy is
the garden, and the new day that the crowing of the cock doth bring to
us . . . . . . . . . . . . From the little town of Bethany lieth the
road to the City