Studia Maniliana (1901)

Ethan DeMarcus Bardenelli loved being the only son of merchant traders who traveled the caravan trails of the Middle East. He also loved Barabbas, the orphan boy his parents had rescued from the desert in that time before he himself was born. Ethan, whose nickname was Demas, thought it the greatest of adventures to travel with his family across the land of the Middle East to buy and sell. On one such journey into Egypt, he begged Barabbas to come with them. Barabbas refused, saying he had more important things to do. In truth, Barabbas was caught up in his plots against the hated Romans who occupied Jerusalem and with two thieves he knew. Much as Demas loved Barabbas, that one was the evil star who ultimately destroyed Demasa world, and who through a bizarre set of circumstances caused Demas to be thrown in prison where he was finally taken out to be crucified on the right-hand side of the one called Jesus, while Barabbas went free. Hanging between heaven and earth, Demas asked for mercy from the Man he had gradually came to recognize as the Son of God. Then before he died Demas received this promise of a victory over death: aThis day, thou shalt be with me in paradise.a