Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1911)

64 THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE. "It is the leper," she murmured, "he is healed." Turning, they saw a man, erect, ruddy with the glow of health, his eyes fixed piercingly upon Mary's. "It is, indeed, the leper to whom she threw the alms," whispered the man. Moving like one in a dream, Mary advanced to the gate. "By what means are ye healed?" she asked. "I sought the Nazarene," replied the stranger, his glowing eyes still holding Mary's ; "he healeth all manner of sickness and affliction." Mary drew herself up proudly, endeavoring to cast off the spell of the earnest eyes. "I have no sickness, nor affliction," she said, coldly. "He healeth sin," said the healed one, quietly, never relaxing the steady gaze, "He 'is the Christ !" Mary whitened ; her dark eyes wavered and fell. "Where dwelleth this Nazarene?" she asked, trembling ly. "He hath no fixed abode. They who seek him earnestly, find him." Slowly, Mary turned, and beckoning the maid, entered the house. In her chamber, she looked around at the costly hangings, the sumptuous furnishings, the rich and gaudy clothing strewn about, with the eyes of one who sees new visions. "Get me a plain black robe and girdle," she commanded, "bring them at once." Silently, Mary cast aside the scarlet robe, the golden girdle and the precious jewels. Then, donning the black robe, she went swiftly, with rapt, far-away •look, down the stairs and out the gate, unheeding the wondering maid's timid question. The sun beat fiercely down upon the dusty road as Mary stood, wondering, anxiously, which way to turn. A group of men and women came toward her, singing psalms of rejoicing, their faces filled with gladness. "Knowest thou where to find the Nazarene?" she asked them. "He hath but lately been preaching yonder, on the hillside; perhaps he may be there yet. Look, he hath healed my babe, that was sick from its birth !" answered a woman, holding up a rosy infant, crowing with delight. Along the narrow road leading toward the hill, Mary hastened. The sun's rays grew hotter, the dust thicker. It was with delight that she saw a little way ahead, a roadside well, with a group of women drawing water. But they turned away, at her eager approach, looking scornfully at her and refusing to lend their drinking cups. "She is a scarlet woman," said one, "let us stone her." "I seek the Nazarene," said Mary, faintly, "can ye tell me where he is?" A swift change came over the mocking group. Jests died upon their lips and stones fell from their hands, as one gave a gourd of water to the trembling woman, and another offered her cool, ripe figs. "The Nazarene was preaching on yonder hilltop but recently. Eest here in the shade, until the sun sets, ere you climb the hill," they urged. But Mary shook her head. "He may be gone, I must hasten," she said, and hurried along the road again. The afternoon sun blazed stronger and fiercer. Little clouds of dust arose at every step, choking the traveler. Her eyes were red and burning, her throat parched, her head whirling, as she climbed the long hill, but thru her brain echoed the words of the healed man. "He healeth sin. They who seek him earnestly, find him." On the hilltop, a group of great trees stretched out their green branches as if in welcome. Mary ran toward them. "It is here, in the cool shade, that he will be preaching," she cried. But in the grove she found, to her bitter disappointment and dismay, not the Christ whom she sought, but a noisy crowd of revellers, men and women, whom she knew too well, eating and drinking, with song and laughter. "How now, Mary, art thou come after us?" they shouted, gleefully. "We looked for thee to join our party, but