Rutland Herald

SOLEMN TALE.
From the Latin (on anea
The Christian..
A FRAGMENT OF A REIGN OF TERROR
BY EDWARD MARTIN

They were not together in the confer, Nero added treachery and treason as salt. O ACIES CHARIOTTE CONTINUES Is a small department, strongly guarded by some of their own adherents, sat a small band of those, whom detestation of the tyrant and desire for vengeance had combined in a common cause. Humanity shuddered at the atrocities perpetrated in the most sacred of what. and lively, and the minds of virtuous men were not less revolted at the crimes than the character of one Emperor @ who cheated daily was the third of a Py. Contempt forged naught deh dient in their re eige. A monarch who contemplated the dignity of his throne for the humble distinctions of a mechanic and citizen. and who in his own person degraded the majesty of the empire he represented, by Otho with the lowest classes, had claim neither truth nor allegiance to his subjects. Their terms of government were each day relaxed in authority when reached magistrate degenerated into a mere night brawler, masked for the purpose of enjoying his debauchery and eves with impunity. Yet there were many who flattered the vices of the tyrant, and dignified his follies with the name of talent, because they dreaded his frown nor even did the Senate hesitate to pass decrees of servile adulation, extolling a ode for the murder of his own mother and proclaiming the anniversary of her birth day as unhallowed in the calendar But in that corrupt body there was one left (Latus Thrasea) in whom the sense of virtue and natural feeling was sufficiently strong to restrain praise on such an occasion , and whose independence in abandoning his seat, only marked him for the future vengeance of the Emperor, and formed an ingredient in his subsequent accusation. "The conspirators," says Tacitus, "painted forth in glowing colors his atrocious deeds by which the Empire was brought to the brink of ruin. they urged the necessity of choosing a successor equal to the task of restoring a distressed and tottering state The Author of the present conspiracy was Caius Piso whose noble birth derived additional lustre from his talents, which were uniformly employed on behalf of his suffering country At the head of the table, surrounded by several Roman knights. stood Piso and on his right hand, Seneca Rufus, commander of the Praetorian Guards, whose integrity as a public officer had acquired the respect of the army and people. A single lamp illuminated the apartment, whose dim light gave an air of solemnity to the visages of the group. Aware of the dangerous errand for which they were assembled, and the vengeance which awaited them in case of discovery, each man stood with his sword drawn And amid the various sighs proper for the downfall of the tyrant, each was anxious to arrogate to himself the glory of a deed which would end the sufferings and degradation of his country "Why should we not," exclaimed Subrius Flavius, "strike the tyrant and avenge the honor of our country at the very moment he insults it Even while in the garb of a comedian he courts the spoliation of his people -a blow struck at such a period will disclose its own motive. "Were it not better," said another, "that he should fall in his midnight frolics ; to fire the palace, and in the confusion dispatch him The acquiescence in the last design was unanimous. There was only one objection to it. the safety to themselves, which must accompany its completion As men sworn to the arduous duty of rescuing their country, they were willing to hazard their lives, and despised the cause consecrated by the very danger to which it exposed them N exclaimed Piso, let the blow be struck before the assembled people. Let them die, though they may patiently wait tired alone aghast on the theater Home has not forgotten her Brutus, and that his spirit has not ended with her. Iavau both spoken right Is -the moment of his guilt should be while he ruins his country and degrades the people, let us also regard the majesty of the throne insulted by the abandoned appetite of its prince, and stained with the blood of matricide. We have regarded his cruelties with too much indifference, and his vices with too much pardon but it is time the sword should be unsheathed against himself, and those very vices be made the instruments of his death Let us not wanton with the time in meditation, which should be devoted to action A purpose like ours may cool by delay, and needs to be kindled by promptitude and decision Each new day discloses a murder perpetrated in the moment of whim or midnight revelry. Poetry and philosophy wither in the poisonous atmosphere of his throne, and the deaths of a Seneca and Lucan may yet be necessary to propitiate the monster and appease his thirst for blood. But when he is insensible to the ties of nature, why should he feel the influence of these mere distant Perhaps even now while we deliberate, the fate of some one of us may hang in the scale and his name may already stand in the roll of proscription As Piso concluded, every hand more closely clasped its hilt, while the frown and the compressed lip, denoted the determination of people A general murmur of approbation ran through the Catacomb, which subsided in the sentiments which it originated. Like men stricken upon the mend. each stood a different method for the accomplishment so as, a whom the wares of personal safety retarded, advocated private assassinations. while other, by the publicity of the act, exhibited their utter recklessness of life in the avenger who have such to follow CPhe m to panilamoia prus pon at caly that the blow should be dealt by one hand, but even during the hour of deep humanity that the heart of the conspirator was not so blunted to human crime plea to to cease to that purpose intent ioevebimed, disdain my Iawhy I gal and sigh gmy ane tate with 'the blood ad oy prinre No these wh dnh torment cnuuti. should du it in the full gaie of het caurtdtep It an jall in the attempt ae fall oot bko craaia, afeid to uroelaim thear a i but befote the aze of thoneands whe shall bre theit chil dren with the tale Immediately opposite to Piso stood a man who had hitherto remained in silence hs atme wen ctoeed Be biregat, and one band was rontesled withah thge fod af ha rbe Fetn the ton d at hs ufe htierto dam jute and efle ainate, but butle valor or stainhity o pur prae was anteragoied in hn Cblderatre Hiu ieaturs delimtehy moghed, end aobatually milg in thesteapres a a. @ai ioot cireht sndiration of the teaaation a bes si ad a c aeparatot Wiat w thsit wi nah went @an tls ila vohupty aorits plu ked to hyl a a dagiget, clhisiingtha batut and danger d the te i tie caelaimed, leok an ths dagger :.L.. I tt a:.....:.:.. u...toY 1of m I d na I talf taat theon ia :,.},{:y.( ls }, t..:.., t....i1r.},. r..s...:.Jt..::r:n'.,. OTk ddath, a da aran Mi dnng b Yd In the eaalling th a he ap Ihsre cainae Uha wrab o my rn evtd t fada. ato fasve swoih bot to patt with it, till thay Lawa to aceig plished Thrre wae a dead eilrnre thronglyust thn asembly. s the igazed tat mere th adamitataun than w dtalet, a tha change whach eitea atanee had wropit th thie Girzea. U a d the rdustustyborvjnue"edalced to th een tre of the apsttue nt. end coodisin d the cobapotatute to kas eide Ihey eurrosnded him Hie ptrsad the dag ger to bis lips, each faljowig ts e asmpleatd eo h coteecrated it to Ju ule Vandes eaes totrbed the bill, aud boand burrl toDheath or Frcedons CHAPTRE II-THE CURISTIAND "And ie it true, mny Claudius, ae tiauu Bast told me,
that tiere is but ote Gud Eranes Ta aOdah wa' thre wih the s d a tatb A Gsha hs oaa heing embra Ce the power whieh thn toth hoth daided aiotg mn t Oneiet a he ath okeon hn man eth only tn faigive w i altare etream nnt with the hled of beaste Lt wh cuty eiifire a the in cene of nure aid cotfte io at Oet "cntined the Cadn fearfnl tna andon her car feth and alm at geros aatole at areian, hath aot that faith a lofhier beaite, whu h chinee ge a prend tiz pwer in all thii, and oitluwe the ghar at Ihain the throaheiery dieat, whether i la thee and ann chine etiram. or the t wer that gtowe upon ita hand) Dufene my Iita eery det iatha Gdtthee Tha faith, bike th lalau hich eitelrs the btoa ot the i h:rhrat thou maaden, this treming earth. and yes ghati o shs Care the aks af a Hheine fchen d and matetial as out cehes the alare af pua re He atleete tocnitral in d there with w hom The Deh dient tath so hiope aave vengane And the artumue hes enjoyrnt eareUhe pas Jar st t!, s" No repied Tt sair faith limate not enjament tedife Ulsaitm Oiene hor pate to the hegpy. where wanaler the poeta ahd eges whce vereee atad precepla teste boen thr land mothe I their age Aod what sid the (hriatian, ean even the poet creste in that Hhyeam Io coupate with the i ternity eut Gad hatherre sheid to te ihe p t will dill re heareo hee sane yad the narrmtteprat the sare of hhe bight Thonoh ths oute and Carm of mature shall te chan red. the low and rerishable ebjeets thiry bave left on erth. shall yet be the themef every tangue, end thr drsireof every heart. Ihe Gode thou tirsteat in, wht thou hast woreluppeagt as eteraal, desert thee on the brink of the futur hd lenve thee to yander amid the darkhess of the Stygin shore. Canst thon wotabuip Leinge who doom thee to expiate the crors themalvrs have com mitted: who lave never enjoined a single law for tho guudance of thy hife, atd yet punish ther for violation? Now look. my Iita. to the eternity I thChrstian the heaven I bave told thee of is the daelling place of our God , and joye, sach as the ear hath not heard, nor the eye ceen, are the reward of those whe in the stead. fastnees of Cuuth forsnke all for the love they benr Hium Emaneipated foom thr body our eule are puritied from the luste which fentd uy to hfe, and ons ernss clrane edf for the enjoymenle of a moty posfert etate Ihe eainte who hove werahinped here ih Cith and the martyrs wheoe doaihe hate atested the tath of that faith, will L rm that glorians compary et angele wlose harge ehall hymn ths prases of their Gied and whose craans of immortality beam ns brightly as the stars of their own hesven "And is this change to al irguired Tita cTo thaa aheheleve rejoined thrChristinn,"e. ven as I hiave told thee, in the worde ofour God All thahgs ate boeaills to thne who Loheve 'Wh t can aive as pat ener amid the ceotf. and courago amd the dongers which beset os Lut that faith, wluch, like a rav can pehetrate the cland ahd reveal the bright hen. ten which aAn Inmy to oar faith eon tho theone nnd wlule ho ter reutes, derides th- fortures he inthiote But the Christinn can euile on the pains in- flicted by an earthily hand., when hn remembers they tonch ha the bady. lnt eannot approach the saul They are like the thorns o hich beun! the brow of hie Siviot, hat eoald nat cueneh the halo whae Jight was immot tal Such ts the hope of the (hristiah auud triala and rrowe he is eupr rted by the sete that thry cndure but Cor n eenenn ard that the hend that pereecutes je ao mortal asthe victim "I tremble for the wrath of Jupiter. said the maiden, timidly. should Isbanden hus altar "And wilt thonrepled Clatduus, "rontinue in the worahin et him abom hin very sotariate haye styled Ihe Ihundererd whose oniy attribaute- pewer sern in the draolaton of the lighitnitg whose ereptre foll in venoesnee, Lat never pauned in nerey. Bhind rot thysit to that taith, Tita he rontin ued, the carnee it ss of me mnmer deenenine with the e sdemtily of the enuee he advneated. yhirh peete and false prirsts have froued fer the elperetitins A Faith whieh Fane y huth written on her poe, snd barde hare tained with the garland of thoeir feton A Caith shich wnvites not to witthn, as if arrgiiers no rewand. shd leavee us ba the gnidanee of a blind, corrupted nafere Iafe poere in the nlrnevres of a few and anrdid eehar,aud the heur of death is ueuperted hiy the asurance of Iappinees, or the promises I a revealed G d. Chune, thenghataren the God ef the Christinn whoor aws areaupointed who Iath deelared has reward ond puniehment. er the Idol of thy creed wh en very altare areeyen now trembling Lefote the wesk shd deopised follewers of the Cross Tita wns silen' ber hands were lecked and bereyes were turned to that heaven where reat the Hopn and Beward of tha Christian Claudine wept with grati tude as his ordent hope constrged the motion of ber Iip into prayer Nneat Iiia. he ssid sfter a pause, "and let me hear thee siy thoy ortaChrietian I will worship thy Gad. replied the muiden, bot who will teach ma to prey. "Ihen shal thus night. he rephed. 'Lecome ere of hus children. Ihou shalt prny amen hus servante and Fe boptized The rites of oir fa th are peer and hum bie even ns Ie who prenohed it: neraltars bave we, nor costly werifice. He nrieste orr the peraeeuted Chris Tiape but the faith we f otlow is reh io the protiws ef Ieriaty Come with me theh,maden ahd the hymu of ptaine we sing chall be echued by ahgols who jy in the repentatice ol asinnet CHAFTER IIE-THE AREMBEY The Christiane ef whem Claudua eoke. were that tight casemiled within the walle of a phison Pauj the A pratte. bad baen seized by otder of the Imperer and sae anrointed to die Dhay snd niola his cell was fill ed wth thene whe bad loer trar ed by he tearbing and canple chd the mterrond foiitude wh chsupport. en js lait mrmente, sllntrsced the faith be taught The amtirent tn wheh they met waea ems eell aneed ctih the atiaan a lade kare and doelate. if sas tis lat Iraie d the Apratte d Ihn whehod nat wo to to lay his head At the head of the epirt. tortit dad a mdely eared ercs whieh the farless aeal d the Chnatame had caee ed witian the wallaat a It msn Ihan Ia fallowers krev nat the gunent the Haperat mght onder ba exeegtinn, ad rab night was aatin the prien of their'eeiat. teating loo in etrurtisme in the srtiales of th s faith Chaidin ard Tite, o they appradrhed thy eell heard the, bore aed edemn mgt ur d prayet fhate couat to a bead follh aid tir aden a do tmad end lintend. whieh feb o the ptr utrg s ree a e. teh amid the batrdea e stiet gThe a beity an ewered fr within the dir es apred aid the (hna tn dedin t ted Apa (hid n d Paad te toir ah fell ug tio br d d Is tirher nred the ta md atan t 0 4f, h, x::: f pa, andin tiede. whibe Za Name te tra the ao d the emy n to ta (hdw to te Wepea the fr me bt rilar tjer tha the pe Croto theirgth da foth he dateheved f aith a Father adtd ag and tha 'exie Ta He remeved the ointb io wirah hwd a' dirgiaed I have ld a fe m the oo a foie creed to th fdaf aat lea ed b 2r 1,r1" T otle empeaeed ard lr4la hund n her head whuthe anemlly hnmibg, berseat terealed the hoeawing he aaed npin baes eseroh Wginm, wedate ) danghtar to our blraed faith. . a Paal, tene tro paria unteow eoft osim the arin the fea is raiend to maite to the arth lat be of rd bape ad fear tot forut is eree d in wbths life itEod tatarrevt et Cedthmofe ting,whie ti Future foa whk tha pe are us ahines with thar oretgth and br ghtaras ofthe un Ienfou not. maudrt the band of ie oir g mt, tf uaoh eg the bsly and tie gnty trials we etdar beloe bgt mag us ftter for the perfert eampany of Ieoven TL praatle pauned and ao te stesdfent!y gazed end beautiful girl devolng lgtsell io a bereute wure tho tbn gielir
CHAPTER III.

The scene which followed the dispersion of the assembly was one of indescribable horror. My daughter thus surprised me, surrounded by the flames of the homes.

to a most doleful the ra a the home mf
the er tot ftr et Ha to leraee car tde
toat eo b watd rsertrd to the deih ar eeted
bum The tandwute I bore trt to numlet ere tout 5r0
, I pr' , t i
aad t :• w .:'
i n n t gr al uw Et
•st
" th id e
t.
" tye' :r
"e leli Laban L.O Pat Gdd i
of dyig aan Ii jead sant cpe har Lo and
thran n bnatd th O wasa d aAp
the
The latehd haraheder el da thr agk
the priene whwn datant adnte mingied eith cries ad
Is
heet and eulaat to the ere leard ap
proerhang and gsm of bre fuelrdthroug th grat
tg ef the eoI is the hand of fodeola ad
the t haretane "the baath coge to he rracge of ae oet
Ant
Itarfe fd th Igutle at whute
t a Lr mvot a tho oile w auat b t
the.
rs 1u:nultusy
aecatraied them
dard ep tr paretion
.A
h w hrart s gnaff-etedby
1 'e
d sfe etad ih en attitude of
h
woa ho et dded to the aecrtts of jreyrwkach breath
aeoded nbs bse, abole at atet
ed etees bsm
onbing, and the
te tin
The worde emote an the hesrte f the eom mbly and
coofrmedto ther erotod forit botrord tirit
doom end the pereecutienof the ioeant Ie of good
cobrage.eadthe Apuetleith
" the hand of
God is ever en
The.otde ..
wter ulteted
thas a land of the Irmteran Guan aded by Fenius
Rufue rusbed into the rell
In the cotaterat n of the mneei ihe Chrafans for
got the edmitieneof Paaland torai gtothe soldiere
ctard with ce teMerey may
Dugs retarted the guarde e tiig, they beund
Tite end Cleudiue sex o end re ot scles embittering
the roug! ese of theit manner (ali on thy Gud,
mid ore if He can, Ie ought t seve thee'
They bove foraken Jupilet exclemed another
"May Hh lighiteings mither them
Aemldier opproarlung I'aul with bende the Apestle
extended ais hands Iam ready, vet uuworily. he
eoud. to bear chsine and jersreution for the name ol
the Lerd Jeoue
"Whn is thy God i" aeked the snidier eneeringly
"Even Ie. replied Paul. aho can change thy re-
viling snto worehip
While three things werepassing. Tin and Claudins
being beund, bad been erpara'ed Rufos the conspira-
tor. frendly to the Christiane eod perf rroing an un-
willing duty in their esaure.eppronched Claodius, and
whuepering quickly Have a goad heart On tie Ka.
lende tie Tyrent dire. and thou shait I free
Ged forbed.repbed Claudue. thnt bleed sheuld
purehase my frerdom Why she uld I fear the death a
God hath died" Claudius wae seizedand placrd in
an adjoining cell
CHAPTER IV.-THE BANQUET
Torn from a faith ehe had but lately embraced. and
from the presence of her young shatructor. Tin was
condueted by the guardeto the ptrsenre of the Emper.
or The conflogration which some have imputed to
Nero-upon the gtound that he wished to build a new
city. and assign it his own name-and the odum of
h
whoch, be in torn aflired tothe Christians, was roping
at
atouud them with violence, and they with difficulty
threaded the narrow strerte The air was rent with the
Jamentatiops ol those who were compelled to look,with
outasingle hope, on the destrnction of property and
of
home So rapid had been the advance if the flamee.
le
that weolth or household pessessjons were disregarded
11
amid the general peril of life and the endenvor toeave
of
It by fliglt Ihe young eondueted the saed. and the
e
impoteut and diw seed trusted to the suppott of the heal
thy. As each gazed upon the smoulderg rains of their
homes, with the snstincte feeling of natore in the hout
of eorrow and deselation.he smploted the protection of
ti
Sapetior Power, and betook himself to the temple of
bie God
Thoagh Tita bad not remained long in the aesembly.
the bumility of the (hristians. their fervor in praver.
and above all, the calm and sublime d portment of the
m
Apostle, hed alrendy given growth to the sreds of Iaith
which his worde had eoan in ber heatt As she hut
Ied through the etreets, she endeavered to abatrnct her
mind from the horrors of the seene. and close herears
p
egainst the bitter wailings whh neemed to eeho the
triumph of the flames. She called to mind the praver
whuch C laudius had taugh: her, and s far as memory
miced bet, invoked the (od of her new faith. At the
very moment the prayet was on her lips, they passed
the temple of Jupiter Stator The flaines had made
frarful ravages on the edilce. eldying ike the waves of
m fiet, sea through the broken arcbes. and around the
solitary columns. that stord hke Gods of a false religion
gazing on the bavoe they couid not pievent nor avert
Prest and worshupper kneit in solemn prayer before the
crambling shrine. the embroidered robes of the former
giing a ghastly reflection to the flames, which derided
the power of their Gud, and sported with ther religiet
As they passed the temple i alrong giare ef lighi dis.
closrd the aitar and a gulden statue of Jupiter At the
same moment. ae by a lightning strohe ths statue fell
from ste pedestal The crash gave a frorful echo throu
the sutrounding epace, and a esrge of fire and sparks
rose as from the tomb of the dethtoned god.
Recentiy emancipated from the errors of a superati-
tieus faitb, her heart was still prone to omen The
Chtiatian ossembly. the resignation of Paul s manner
w hen be alluded to his appronchung death. and the caim
ness wbtch sremed to mark bim alone anis the conster
nation whieb surrounded him, all rusbed to her mind.
confirming the truth of ber foith and as shesaw the
dowafall of the statue to asluch she had once knelt, the
Inst te df her ancient creed seemed to te broken, and
"The God of the Christuans be my Ged. burst from her
I po
That night the Tyrant banqueted amid the sufering
of s twople end the deeotatun of tieir bomes
In an aportaent, to whcer fuxury faney. as well as
wealih contributed, sat the gueste The ceiling was
P ed darh ezure I repreue nt the frmament at niht.
aa the thousand stare that gitteted on sts surlace
were ef eild gald The valls wete horg in goild and
eilsereloth,n whehjeweiswereendexlerously wroupht
ao to rejresent mythol gral devaees Seate of solid
eilver frames surrounded iheapsrtment. and at regular
intervals wrrr placed lnmpe.whsse ecented oal emitted
rich and sntokicatibg odor. The epacee were filled
with marble etaturs ofpomts and otatore
Around the board loaded with the dishrs of epicure
an fanes,livers and braine orpheasante,tonguesdpra
corke and nigbtingales, sat the gursts, crowned with
gerlands whlle the eofend voluptuous nute we ds
raly cen resteby thegroane atd ehoutibg wsthout
Al the laad af the tat e tod the Fmojetor a chait of
end awroegh with god It was vecant By
i afad a dila ce in which at hie toastres
Acte an entranrhased Ancatie alsve to w boe noble birth
aese rn d cuulr rank bad been euborned iy Ne.
7o I.. tefa:
Nateilesdg th cruin d a daopne tnn which
Ine ta ad ertauality whieh nrver feit sat-
ta (r es snd drsmatle cahibatanbe foroed
jee cd tral in Nete charectet ie was ao am
L.Lrae f erpiase, the: when br appwarrd upon the
lage he op wd an ermed force tharuglaout the thea
te od putprne of estusting approbation wbaeh brt.
ter judgwnt eithbe ld, atad on one wcasion thefutore
Eamperor Veepasian bad well nigh ket bue life fur dering
to slrep duting the perfurasnces of the rojal ectet
On the prearat nighl, hile bis eily wes crumubling
to eshre arogtd hun and hue people inft berar lras end
ehelteriens, the tyrant esiutated a frarful levsty io I
comduet Ie hadarrayed bicuwlt in the tetraful com
tutue of Orstre-one of he fosctte parteand brfore
be left the apertment. had bren telesresng eretr with
Pariea Paranite and an aotm Jo tie deligit uf kis guruts
wh ar eileace df ceneute would bave enerked Lem lod
his hatsed
Ile rusied sato the apartmrnt folluwed by Patie gin
bie band he catreed a sunall lyze Ihs fate wae flushed
with ui6e,brightened by thae ezcitiegee'se d ehirh
he had bret gaz ng. and ae be rauerd i full guhiet to bue
Ligs,
he ezclasmed in a tone of eavage murth, βythe
Gode. if iea glotuus eghti ters, born, B-me eye, to
very last stme T Bar af Trny dashed ot
origltly to the atengig Grea Pluto and hus
dons ere abrotd to aight
Unak, Grink, aute, Lo the
of the inmee
ae eell gnderetond that Nrro hed bnen the eouse
ef the eeGegiete.fr dotng to sr etr.e. snrrbdia
rus n tore end ceandai er eatn hed thre
eat the cite drlaris thes wird tn etiarit
- Tho gaee "ee end alt rone, Gratibg to dpete bis
i. etd pledged the glueotly toest in wihe whath tlpey
abrd aereppe tothe TarantA dreadeileneepte
sd threaghtheagartoeut ae thara boid domn theit
eadadthtnbn
wh tatd roed 'it IwnettatedIhefeelinr
etahlarked laath gay ens vai deranet Aed
ho, Oy f lhekn Ie aid turerg t Astesd phre
og ber Baed O t ha a Jopter, thy beautv might
jedIh bdMerowa
c4 ten I la catd taing mle hd
logh h&Iontien the d ard baae
189
llottn fae tormt Are
At that ecant Iufos eaterrd thr ejortmenl, and
prasargNere uhepered ghe a bere
Brasely dgr, by Jupeterreturned the mentrch
Iooeghtd uioopo tore Roneinasbte,auda
mistrea we Hhat tho Navrrte
Ie in prarn repiod Hutee
Iere t o itured Ner, "eared d I
it n teoff nt toe Lath n het love eust te ainct
ropt hes fatlg Drink.arink my Hufos they buat been
faithful to meI s ldier raieed the goblet. ahid ih
lence drank te death of the Iyrant Bring berle"
Ire me. cod BlufsIwoold re Aer ihmy Ioaer I
have e lonz uorehioped Melerr le but her pteee nce
willgive zee! to ogr Langbet Bring Ier lefore me and
mara me.E ard her welIe epproncbed the soidier
bearer. and wbiegwred. "lst not Aclr bave accss to
ber The ealder Ined and withd ew
Tits immgediately entered nceompsnied by Rufus and
a few ot the Pret riase Ier face wae trelinrd on be
breast. tnd completely ehaded by the inautant fast
whoee cusla clostered round it Neto tlung tace bus
lyre, and claepig his hance gazed on her in raptute, a
ertsgal smile teamitg in hio eyr. ahd playlaig in the
earve of ie lip Ie gdbed foraard and tell at her fee!
Ihe sezed her band. ard lokng onher paajona es
neacaimed Tta Iiateloved thee langsmile cn me
tomides my threte shall be thane TLe maigen mut
ednt horarencred
A cry of surpriee bureting from the gueste De they
rose from their seate. ruogthrough the banque hall
The Emprres the Emapressass erhoed ty all. Ne
rs turned, and tehria them pointing to her chair It
was empty Acte bod lett the chstoberIn a momeh'
d intex cation be bad b-en latrayed inte incolsislen
cy,and bad crdered Tita belore hum while Aete was
present
CHAPIERV-THECEIE.
We left Claudigs in the cell adjoining thnt of the
Apostle The eaddenness ot lis srizure sulfirirntls
diselosed to bum the rertairty of his doem, aid the in
placable will on which his life depended He, howey
er enjoved the privtlege of daily intereourse with Pau!.
and tremh the conterplation of his example, ond the in
epired beauty ef hie thstru tens whieh contrasted the
utter futiity of life with the glorots prrspect ot the
Future. derived a Ialy strength wbich fortfird hip
agnanstevety pinto whieh hshotld bo expeaed
Master Ie eid,it as oy willts die with thee
'Say noteo. my son. returned Pau! N.I thine, but
the will of Gd be done. It matters not bow of when
we die. Iet but onr last nomente Le tul: of assutahce
to Ged and faith to IIis Son. and the suflerngs we en-
dure below shall be exchonged for that happiness the
world ca not give We pirt heto but for a moment. my
sop, our meeting shall be etcrnal, and our joy shall no
man take away
Such were the exhortations of the apostle to confirm
his faith. aad diminish atfachment to hie, whese tenure
at best wbs precarious
Hiis desire was at length granted: the execution of
Paul and Claudius was appointed for the night before
the Kalends. The period at onee revived to the lacm
ory of the Christian the words of Rufus. 'thnt the Ka
lends sliould see the Tyrant dead, He shuddered at
the death even of hus enemy.snd actuated by the tenets
of a religion whtch forbids retahntion for njury,or th
entertninmen! of vindictive feeling. he not only freely
fotgave the Emopetor. but desired.if possible. to eave
his hte Ihe Kalends were approaching and he hum-
self wns to die the night before. It he could absolve
his conscience from pr ity to bloodshed. he was con
tent to die. There was one other t flection which em-
bittered his apptonclang fate, ard taxed all the powers
of submission."He had not seen Tita since their violent
separatien, and she had been torn from him at the mo-
ment when her conversion to the true faith had conse.
crated their love. Nor was their separation more pain
iul than the uncertainty of their nexi meeting. In this.
however. he derived consolation from that beautitul
portion of bis faith. which taught him that the Fuure
re-united the broken ties of life, and purified aflection
from the eenses which controlled it here ; that the tear
with whtch we parted would be exchanged for the smile.
and the suffering and broken hearted forget the pain
which dimined the eye and bowed the head
The night preceding the Kalends hnd at length ar.
rived. Ie was appointed to die after the Apostle, and
yet no eppottunity hnd ofered of divelgibg the copspi.
racy. and. so ocqu tting his conscience from the secret
which weighed on his last moments Ie heard the tu
tault of the soldiers without as they prepared for the
execution and he steod romentarily xpecting their
entrance to conduct him to the place. As he thus steod.
his last roments oceupied in prover. in ach he im
ploted a blessing upon Tita. the door of hus cell opened,
and the object of his thoughts and prayers was before
him.
Welcome, welcome, my Tita, he exclaimed. even
though it be in the hour of death But why weepest
thou, gir! he c ntinued,a clasping her to his i reast
he feit her convuinve sobs
Ask me not." she replted. 'Thoy art to die: the
faith thou hast boand me to nust be senled with blond
Oh:my Claudius. was it for this I abandoned n creed
wheh withholds notsts prot-cting power from the hum
blest object on the earth Yet. for thy sake, will I love
it still. seeing it has not left thee comfortless ot without
support
Comfortlens
retorted Claudius, his eve beaming
with that hieht whch hope and truth had borrowed from
a purer werld Comforiless'I tell thee. Tita, the dun
geot of my pain bns for me neither darkless nor chn ns
Its solitude gives ne the holer companionsbip of thos
thoughts which dwell withun the Chistian s breast : its
fetter prees ligltly cn my hande when I think on ths
glorjous liberntton of the epirit from all that is unhols
ond corrupt. Bemember. miiden. that I sold thre ot.
that we moust pss through fear ond tribulation ere to
tainted soul can appear before Gud The Bint ts con-
tent to pass through sufleting lere for the ptouias
shch await him leyond Jerdah Theg eaid st rightly.
Iata. Iao not comnfortlens. fot Ie last wordn of our D
vine Maoter were. 'I will not leave vo w holly comfort
lessCanst thoy doubt, my Tits. the care of our Gad
mhile lome stself s in ashes, not one flame huth louched
the ptison of his sereante
And I. rephied the msiden. hnve eeen Jupiter Sraton
bur d te the earth But ohe continued with stereas
ed egilatton of mabber. our convernr must be brief, fot
the hour approsches Gusrded by Fenius Rufus, it is
by his jerussion I nm here Hie last words were. 'The
palace hath dangers for tlee; return not.' I flew to
thee. tor I heard this nigbt thou we't to die and it I
could not perieh at least to receive thy blessng. and
pray with thee
On a sudden. the Intenees of the hour and the conepi
rney rushed to the puind of Cloudins Hie conscience
shrank from the posseeien of ite guilty secret, and on
sts disclosure bungthe life of bis enemy
Bear with me. Tita.he exelaimed hastily. I must
see the Emperer before I de I have secret which
exncerne bs life ad the eafety of bs throne
disclosed.I dhe happy The Chrstian fotgives where
he is petsecuted. reluthing gosd for evil The eulrance
That
to the prienn is guarded I could not paes in ay can
garuarnt Lesd me thy mantle. I wiliretuin ete the
bogr of death artives'Their raiment wae imoe duately
eachanerd
ILeaurinbet, aoid Tiie 'I came to die with thre
Fre that hoar Ishalibe here reol
.lowb
'Thr Ged aaor faith prearsve thee. ejactlated the
maiceO, es thr dour of the cxlishut (laudius from her
CHAPTEN VI -TUE TTBAST• MIDNIGHT
Thnving panned the gua'ds o eufety e Cung the dieguiee
frn Ie le spetoarted te paiure Iaiersg do rr
dene bo deered ie re Ip phrdds ie Iepend'. Ien
eas
Iih the eartee tgtry ofonlailefth bo'.
trueed tetbratge eddord tie trathdf) a
gerce bo agt cooves A wgts sfter eed piucs
Las roequrel was grasted Io Eapetu elepg
the Freedwss W ieo be swaaee yoo slall io adai
Led to t
Is . wednught ere Cioudies entered the palare : bot the
alerp Epmphrod.tus epmke ef. was a brokes and fearful dreem
The tsrani touted uppn Ie court. in vain ereking fur tlat
repeae ehuae dieate arre eiglind o th the imtges ofgeilt
I Iaede eted the eprt efe mether uhich santed tle
estrvdei the bgof eeevaalty eot en tlaein te
lte of i cbanler Ilet the darkcess of mudeclt
wheee reare ess elguent with the lerrere of Itcoill
ert tn Fadrrats te fertgreaof a censrd ardescied fe
ev Imas tieo Ags pp rose to his miod. and as le shud
derd at tr smpreestiope of io mgdlered motler te air
raegrded ejth Be ak. aed the clem eherbapter
Ind eth te Crrdeafthe FotaseheLilered lar-
Ie aritted op I cort tn treth gusded the leared
d rtedon barfarg saon as ile oagiatr preer df
te otaee ty Oed ile weirtatg . heh asile bm sfter
crath Ie mptt'ef Ohrdts ie mn fiegoreth plard
roue lefore I a. etoiied oith maternal I ed.beutad with
erjeate ged n ihheadtrraSgleerithtlecote.
ef ie aedeig e (o esre snte Iaritg. ty
trtreregwib troi tat severalatieg jeare .
Ihe ds dr aght eaheg orerepoig, the shaie et Agoppins
-t ctler vatira oIa eiselny stee lefere him Ih
darsms vere thee of the cro a beled fyrant,'egaravated
be matrv
Bhek boek to th Iadee weered shade 'erelaimed the
terat. ere bie eword ad ovolorly etartie trem his
cark. lack b. Ier (aest thg fer hldor ven.
roee my tet is at t Haeie eird ena ir fiagere
oee Iiaafdaieded withteerrowit the ethere thruat
attle jmeoisory seatre Ih ba he evejamed eth a
Carred baugh. whur eein rage Lim stadt asit ralled threugh
te vacantchamta Wbat a itiear Darkea-sn
tode-tye It i it s. meelf My thougtio wfch
IgrniehteddvIa'wln'atere!
Te elare of Caar sd I pophrditue, eaterirg. of
Hm ebn rolee te ridrese of te eurit tecontinued
lardingthebree eith tle wrvilit of as Iaeernslasr 'A
Nazarene ritlat crases anaudience with thre Iis re
qurst,e ase, must not te slgited
A Nazireteraterstet tietrant. wiat doth e here.
erd at radngltPerbops Le continged musing Iecotes
to Leg tie ife of hn Brotter Paal. Pot rn , bleead, bloaad
Inii haee soidheconvoleivey grapngsaordWhy
sleala I wlo bave slaina Wother. wear te deathol d Naz-
arene Ih fore grrw ghasth Ie ewerd telloatlegruod.
snd as ite eclo shote en Iis et. Ie flew to his Freelmsn.
snd lared he face In. La beeom. stetd oe from tlem
thev haunt, they lsh ee. Oh' my Epophraiitus would
that my pile nrre lit' Ie ethlete frame trembied in tle
embrscr ofhie servatt. till weak ahd stupified wit the hor.
rote ef his cuilt. ie ank at ba feet
'Npeak spesk. Crnr od the Feodman hoeeling and
porting from bs ewolien temples the hair clotted with per.
epiration. Sreak ; shall I admt him ?"
Not till thee we gotesaid Nern endenvoribg to rise
We y siad I mop refites. looking round the apartment
dimly lit by a singlr lter lamp
Ay motherr etetared Uie matricale. in a tobe of ago.
py, ahieh spled h stterdint Iie tes flowed trev
hat tley eere the dfirtiig of s couand mind which trem.
Wiedote images it eveied tnm thesepaletrecfiteguilt
They floweden theeeek. Lot neitd aii teIeat atler
to pity or repentance. Ie dasied tlem aside and locking
Iast y roune. sprotg from tle grourd as in disdain ot tho
abgret p aitien Le occup ed at te foot of his slase. 'Ads
mit the Nararene,' Jesnid, and, ofer a puse freling the
cowardieeof cuilt andatpramnching Epopbroditns aad eyeing
I m steroly have guard upen thy itfe : ifrlere be trechers
here theu oedt ; leen thavrif with'n call snd Jeave thi
sword with me' Ihe Fraeodmon eeved aid withdrew. The
evrs of Nero follewed Iim. s thcughle would scan has pur
pose Iesword was in his hond
(landias atd tle Ireedman entered after a few moments ;
on a sigt. from the Imperor, the latter wittafrew
Whst wonbdst theu. Nozrene P said Nero, hostily.
Chudius stoued st the renaote cnd of the apurtment, his
face ard figure in perfect ohscutity My task is one el
merev said Chudius. Ihy lie snd throne are even now
in the poner ofa desp sed Nazatene.'
My hfe' reiterated Nero as te word sounded with the
voice of retributien My life ! and in thy hand ' Fool ! on
thy life eport pot.'
Death is not theme for sport.'returned gClaudius ; 'the
Iamb gambs le nod Lefore tle wolc.
Ha: dost bait me to my fce ?'
Not Ireplied the ( hristinn. hut thy conscience
The tyrant etarted. and hus sword fell. Ihou art even
pow in my power.continued the (hristianvet would I not
strtke tee' thuaugh the sword were in my grass. The
Christian llesses cven the cnemy that curseg' Nero trem-
bled as well befere the sublime dectribe of a futh he perse
cuted as the dignity of its disciple. 'Thou tremblest.' said
Claudiue
Iis with rage.rephed the Tyrant.
The Chrutian 'continned the Nazarere. 'tremtles before
God alone?
'Out on thee, fool,' shouted Nero. rage and terror beighth-
eninr hs voice to a shrek. By Jupiter, thou abd thy faith
shall be suept from Rome.
May dare not do what God forbids.' retorted Claudius.
hiseve glowing, and his lip curling with disdain at the im-
potence of a monarch who mistook deflance for power. The
sullimesternness of the Cbristian awed the tyrnnt, and sub-
dued his menacing tone.
'Chtistian,'Iesaid. afterapaue. 'whatofmv life?'
'It is in dateer.' retorted (laudins. 'The dagger is un
sheathed for Uhy destruction. evea whle Isprsk" A visi
ble tremor ran through thetyrant. ahd totterng to his couch
he sank upon it Crrsar. sud Cludius, withdrawing. my
task Is dore.My last words. i they Iaye not hleesed.
lave saved thee. We meet no mote till we stond before
Ged'
The Fmperor saw not the sublime action of tle Christian.
ss his upliited hande seemrd to attest tle truth of his dying
words bht the hollow voice in which they were uttered,
pierced the very heart efthe gaily king. Man or shade.
be tloy wjlt.he etclained reie from hie eouch
ardeutendirg loth haads to bam in tieogony of feor beest
thog to wart or latnt me I adjure thee by our Ciods teil me
alition krewest
Te rorrew shall be celebrated tlegamee of Cerre. 're
plie (audius ; 'then and tiere mced the Cohepirators for
thy life
Yet ore word mere.' exclaired Nere, rnshing forward,
and in tle cow rd weskness of the moment filling on his
knees. The chamber echoed his words. TLe Christian was
gone.
CHAPTIR VII-THE CHOSS.
Midwsy between the polace snd prieon. stood the place
appoir sed for the execution of Pani and Clsndius. It was
post tsdnight as he cleared the polce-gotes As le pro
eeeded with haste. a dark and shadowy body approached -
A low and etifled lamentation ewept on the night blast and
tie hght of a few straegling torches shed a melancboly and
sickly glare. Itmeved at a slow and measured pore, and it
was not till the oement of tleir meeting. that he recoghized
it as the funeral ptocession of the Apostle.
Stupofed with sorror as be lorked bis last on all thst was
Gosd like in noture he forgot slike the errand te had been
engnged in rthe mauden Ie had left in his own prison -
Hs mind ws abatrarted from everythang ertily and its
powers werr suspended between lo'e for hs master and
pryver for his last m reats As he gozed on the Apatle
eubuune and ereet. his hande boundas a malefartor and fol
ded en bus bresst hie eves turned in prayer to that Gd for
whose name pereeeotion bad no terror. and pgnishment po
pnin ias e leard Lim repeat with vigor ad datineteees
that mede! of all pratere. bis Ivine Moeter bod tauzht his
ducipleei s be gazed on and lrard Fim. the lentifal con.
foreits of example and pocept rosled to bie mied aod tie
tearhinge of Paul neverso strongly in flueoeed his mitd as
the faith the courage aod eoblimity of the Martyr
As Chudue turred to join the prorrsinn the eve ef the
Anutle ell upen La. hy eon 'Le said hate Io se!l
teld tlee thast life is lut a ehadew Isen an aow the aerd
of a man ein erae it Remetber ten the worde of the
dying ehch qeak as from tle oracle of tle grase snd with
tie frovp of an Onsiscent Judge before them. Feyr het. I
ay even wregr Moster baih tooglt ue toue wln bgrt tle
bedy. bot caanot togch tha eglt but rsther fer Ihio eho
can destrey both son! and bedy toetier'Ie ra ard iie
Gettered bande to Ileaven, ard loaed bs Ieod as he ten.
tiored tle name of Ged and iletear ubich diammed e ese
of Paul, fel like dew en tie besst of thst sang dieeiple
caickeuing the gronth of that faath bue worde I ad planted
thee
Tlroogh thas latg Dight Clegdius etirred not from the Coo!
ef the Cron wlere buogthe lifeles bdyefhusmter. Ie
hours relled on, the wratres were relieved froam ther poee
but the extersal worid and ile ebjecte were closed fram bi
as le knelt slaorbed in prsser
Ihe torebee bad already
subk in darkrees. and tlp dreuey seotinel rerlinei epeb Is
eppar No eqnd uis leard et tiat deenlate epd, sise the
praser of tle fhristan aad the grnst of anguish which ee
cpad Lm shas eve erasseallv gisnced utee the fres -
Jut routd that murtyred Apon'e bovered the bulu ed D
veitr br glteoitg e biogre of the doeiple wilh the i ght it
berted from Fereity
The eight ae te eane shd the stare were praduslly
fading before the tists biglt df moarairy snd t laudios etill
remsined prayieg by 'ieI rins Nodeep srd alatrarted had
bews that prajer tat to teard se tloihe w d gaaed bo
the erateels tot the dall and hejry tamp of arord ten
sporrachoeg Ihe Era wrde whark brobe b revenje were
rely Mtresand
cinbyaelder
Is, Nagsree eteh
a Grter pisre fus prgser
(laufwe etarted fram the grognd. The mbole bad teen as
dre a Ie iteaked upe ane The tnle for ed te Apes
Ihe claaped hos
has'o txh.s. ', tis
tir 's, tri t sr I.i : 1 t.n't I .d ,'rr ,'v aar J
(se tts hxt ut sh tn.i- fa, i atsrpiJ 1
I
to.s0ieneer
un wt.r h to t.at tr:t lrs rcolsd tmuugh
ts1
4 ·( 4
t:4
twed
(-i J:!.it·s
Iiadtle mae
brated death for tle
lote
te B.e
Hd Arrk
fot4dres ear
, trtymoim, B4d rl ir ir S'r tot iu, trs 1
were cufat gne ela pames slreugh L cotfuard snd a
dered gind Ae be mueed oppn ler danger he wan about
to rosh frem the epnt, when one of the sollicre held a torcl
to Is fare. and reregaizan2 srized Irm
I Nearese is th thv rasth Le exclaimedtaunting
iv te lease grf to de inthy plare ?
Lahaed me, cred Claudine voiniv endeavoring toeatrs
este himse if rom the gtasp of the roldaer I fhy to ber res
cur, and to death
She is hoe cried a female voice from the centre of the
treap ard flinging from Jer a mantle ele bad found rn
Claudun cel, the epeaker disclosed the form of Tta In
meaent e bust from the boid of the sulder, and clarped
Ue me den to bus hrant
W athy wil my DitsIe esclaiged.to de for me?
No reoeg eleagtifal r hies ncnght tntlee?
Ibave been erdded to tly faith arewered the maden.
'in erroe aed eufering Than boat tald noe that life sea
drein Io te Chratias, and Heaven ha rrwand They
saidst in that tesen we forget the emile wbuch senee cot
ropted, and the enjeyments whach fde beeeath the band
woh teuriae tham Te mortes of eur fath wborrgard
life awo eenng to Giad, thoy-hast a d wili le cut com
pany aad ieepoke she etteeced her lard to the Ies
Irms form ehich Iorg up o the C'rms. Claudus. Iam a
dratiae-and bet tat rath neuld dde Teune Loor Lad
come g they entered thy cell; Idogoised myself with thy
mastle srd wos content to oeek in thy tleaven the bappi
bess the Chrnston ecald rot frd on Iarth
Neie hm. rehum. a CIristan Iathdeceard the Em
peror eclsad tesiders Tethepalce they cleuted
teoild brast elalldetour wbat the Crees hus epored
Iiey were roshing forwand toseire Clandius wlen Tita
relesing berell frem bie embrce flew to thefot of the
Ctoss, aid on Ier kreee clasping st wth ore arm. whiie the
ther ws rsteoded to the guards. Hald she eac'aimed
the GointtheAbristan wili protret bisservant
A few eultry drope ef rain whach had Latlerto fallen. por
tepded an opproocbirg sterta. Tie clenda rolle ten in an
heaty ard esble mans, whale anen ther broken edges glowe
with the lurd ros of Sutamer lghtotrg. A peol rurg
tirough the Levens, whese bollew reverberalions quiseted
the Creas to whieh Tt cinng. The pheoomeron of appeal
and anevrr addresed itseli to the superstitiot of the Hhesth
coe aod tor a woteeet thrs. were ae those wbo brat aa tho
ti under thr vote o Girad Motaoalese and ailent they etoed
fiaed to tle rped till the clouds daeperstd sted the ecbonng
turder bud died ih distance. But with the storm pased its
terrrers, asd seizing the Chrietians they conducted them to
the palace
CHAPTER VIII -THE TERANT A JUDGE
It wne the sonn of the foilowing dhy. cre the Christinns
aJpe sred before Neto. The gates in' honer of Ceres had
reen celebrated. and Claodus had defe sted the conspiracy.
ard spared the hfe of hus persecuter. I he conspirators bad
Ieen seized. and their punisbment alrendy awarded As
Clapodius ard Tita were enterihg the chamber of the Empe-
for severai ot tam were depirting. strongiy gunrded and
in clhains Tegse o Rufus len Chaudies Chtstan,
Ie said. I pardon the t ah which errs on the siude of ecrry
Theu hast epored a Tyrant's hte; tis well ifit stiog nit
thine cwn Tie cotspirators passed on ahd the Christisne
JedefrethaImapetar
Ipopireditus wlo stood by his threre. in briel detsiled
the comoplaints ot the soldiers That Claudius had eudeay.
ored te cecape death by pissing hus prson door in female dis-
guise, and thot the umposition had not been discovered till
they srrived at the place of execution.'
claulus arswered not a word ; le was unwillng todese.
crate the bencvolence of his taith by nakibg it the purchase
of his padon. Ie had leit hus prisen but it was to sase his
eocty Death to Lim was more weieote than hie ; and he
stord before tle Iyrant resolved to keep the secret of the
Iast right's interview. The datkeess of the chamber, and
the agtation of Nero. bad so far conccaled the Christrian as
to pievent his recognitien now
La' Nazarene.be cred with rage. lus eyes full and flash
tog. by the Gde thusu bsst brcken tly cage once, but I will
tabd theo wicre Ireedom -hall only give thee to beasts'-
Nere was not more exaoperated at his alleged cscape, than
that o Iita from the palace and the love of the Christians
which presented an ohstacie to hs own lust. Turping to
Tita ahd with d fhicnity moderating the p ssion he could
not conceal , 'and thou, too, maiden, hast sported with our
power within our very palace. Have a care ; the hon is
strongest in his own den. This was the net of Rufus, bnt
he and hus cor,tederates are tn chains. Thy guard shall be
trustier He whuspered Epaphtoditus. The moiden look.
ed not up, ifshe had, the malignant smle on the Iyrant's
lip would have quenched the last ray of hope
CHAPTFR IA-THE MISTRESS AND THE CHRISTIAN.
The Christians wete setarated, but thelr destinations
were as oppesite in place as character. Claudus had
but exchanged one dungeon for another, whule Tita
was conducted to an sppartment cos!ly and luxurous -
But what is sple mdot to the heart sick and unhappy pi
soner : It resenblea the golden bats of the cage to
the bard, they catch the rays of that sun whose heaven
was freedoth, and whose broad expanse gave no limit
to its flight , and how it flutters only to remnd it of
bendnge, and the melancholy of its note pines for the
mountain and the breeze,
Nohe wete permitted to appronch her save the Freed.
man, whose lite vas to ai wer the volotion of his
chotge She foie siw the Tyrant's design,and auxious.
ly prnyed tor the hand of death to avert it. She flung
herselt on the couch in despar. but the form of Claud
us stood by ler side. and wiispt red words of comfort
and support Ihe sevlaed to exhort the earnestness of
prayer, and coulide nee in the protection of hus God.-
She rost from h r couch, ard endeavoted to abstract her
mind in prayer. She was strengthened, her feclings
wete traiquibzed, and she sank tosleep
It was mudnght ; the lamps but fain'ly ht the cham-
ber, whose dee p sslence was breken oniy by the respira
tren of the sleeping maid Slowly and cautiously u se.
cret canel connected with the silver cloth of the apart.
ment, was epened and epeedily closed. A dehcale fe.
male figure approached, whose dark countenance and
flowing bait announced an Eastern clme It was Acte
The Emperor had leit his apartment that night, and
free from suspicion she had passed to the chamber of
her rival She had not forgotien the passion he had ex.
Iubated to Tita m the hour of a drunken revel, and yeal.
ous y. deeper for the protraction of revenge, still rankled
withun he r breast She loved Nero. Tyrant and Mon
ster as he was, the more so, perhops, as he had continued
he contection in spite of the I monstrance and dis
suasion of his mother , and the warm passions of her
climate, while they lent ardor to her love, gave depth
also to revenge
She cautiously surveyed the chamber, and stood in
silence as to ascertain that none approached In her
hand she held a small golden cup She approached the
couch. She bent over the uuconscious form of her vie-
tim, but the calmnoss of sleep was on her brow, and
with it, it brought forgetfulness of danger. She touch
ed her. Tita slarted trom her couchClaudius, Is it
thou ' broke from her lips as she looked round her
wildle, unconseious of time or place
Acte extended the cup to her. Guilt and fear for nts
success worked within her; her hand trembled, her lips
quavered in the attempt to speak, and as she faltered.
Donk, maiden tis a draught for cate, she sank ex.
haustred by the couch of I ita. Suspeion datted through
the mind of the maid n as she treoganzed guilt in the
nereots besitaton of Acte s manher; che dasbed from
her the goblet. arg as hei seresu of teirr rung through
the aportoent, the doot opened, and the Freedman rush-
ed in he desoppeated Cor a momynt, but ummediately
returned, follosed by Nero snd Claudius
Tu eaplain their sudden appearance, it is necessary
to retace a few steps
The cnmity wheh Nero felt to the Christians, had
heeh cmbittered in the case of Claudus by the love
which beogod him to Tita As long as he hived the Ty
rant couid not hope for the pessemioh of her petson,
he therefote reoived upon his immedinte death under
preteat of his cired.
That night he had entered his cell and had antoune.
ed to Claud us his fate. To the ( hrastan, Death had
to tetrot, and atnad the cruellace whuech Nefos mhgetu
dy in epott devis d for hus victims Claudius forlitude
reugined uoshaaeh 'Grant nd but one request, said
the Chrstian
Speak, rejosted the Iyrant
I bow in silebce to thy will, answeted Claudius, 'il
I but eve Iita ete I die
'Follow me, replied Neto. They were alrendy in the
pusnge eonducting to her chamber, when Epopatodi
toe who w atehed at the dood, ioe atingthe screaim, rush
rd in, bollowed by Neto and Chsudius
A drsd esienge prevailed, ao Neto atd the Christion
gazed on ther biguirs, unable to explain their agilation
of a cabse Accte still clung to the coucch lor sup
put the g biai bayby her sade while Tita stond in the
enire o the spartimeht. her hair talling in diaotder on
bet eh gldets, bet eye ba-d tn vacant shcodseiote-
teas, alaite ber aterted bang trembied as it pointed to
Acte To obe wbuse palace witheseed as frequrbtly
aeetee of death. as those of conviviality, the ptesent
st as bis eye tell on the goblet, needed no interpteta
Neto
n. (rea hety,he etaed, in a voier of passson
Acte mattens df esery art wbuch Could aesuage his
Gercest moodents, drraged not his enget eo much av dis
entery She Gelt
caih and -ith the sub-
i) da maltrm who khoae the weaktres od her boy.
er w I furgise a leul wbuch ofiginates from the depth
of love, falling at Nero's feet, implored pardon. 'For-
af
give me, she cried, 'Ishare thythrone. tot coss
share
thine
heart
with
another
My
Lord
knows
depth of that love which bath made me aust the
of this mniden Pardon, C'naar, for thy oreant
Though guiity, the intense emotion of her eeny
evineed her truth and as the Emperer goudt
kneeling
mistress
the
sincerity
of
strength of het paeton, the tears which dauee
lustrous
eyes
and
the
grace
of
her
attitude
all
flus
atound
the
Asiatic
spell
which
hnd never known, and the sweelbess of that es
claited the saay which momentary rage had doutsr
The henrt et the Tyrant was too callous tothe wrs
crume, to reprehend it in otbers, and the coosut
his mistress had touched the right chord
beart of the Scnsualist when ehe palbated crime by m
sion
From that mon ent Nero relinquished hs des ges
on Iita but resolved at least that the pleosute ott
shed ehould expiate their frustrationChrstsns
said torning toClaudius. 'ye have met for the he
Epaphroditus, my guard" The Freedmnn wathen
an I enteted in a few moments ccompanied by e
soldiers Claudius was remanded to his cell. bot a
gazed on Tita, the faint soule that bramed thnge
his sad expression, was borrowed from the hupe un
thear meeting aboye would never know separation
CHAPTER X -THE CHRISTIAN'S TRIAL
The thrent of the Tyrant was soon to be realized. u
the faith of the Christians to be tested by resignat a
their death Nery,ever anxious to convert the teten
of his victims to his own entertainment, reaolvedtha
the hour of their execution should be during ther scht
and the manuer of it by fire. He appointed s w
his custom when a Christian was todie e gorde
to be fited for the occasion, and a throhe to be crecsg
for humsell and Acte
At the app inted hour the gardens of the pat ce .
tllumnated. the pile surounded by foggots was puep
ed for the martyrs, and bef re it. at a short d
stood the throne of lam, who regatded the og a
death ns lightly as the munie sporls of the alage A
slow nndsolemon fourish of trumpets announced the
pronch of the precrssin The monarch and bus
tress were nir ndy on their throne
Preceded and followed by a numerous guaed
Christinns drew nigh Caudius bore in bis han
small crheifix, which. in the mtereals f prayer. ie fe
vently prresed to his lips, whale the strength and sot
misston he toploied in the name of I m w ho had de
for all, were audibly responded to by Tita
They were alresdy at the stake; two of the gos
advancing. had b und them to the pile, and were n
the point of firing it, when the exclamation ield. from
Neru, suspended their further progress The cies el
all were turued to the thtone The Emper beld a
scroll, hus hands trembl d while he read it wil rage
and disoppointanent struggling within him he tore and
trampled it. It had been handed to one of the guarde
surrounding the throne, and the bearer had disappeated
cre Nero received it. It ran na follows
The Christian nbeut to die hath saved thy Ife. Lut
wills not to mnke that service the prce ofhis freedon
It is trne that by so doing. he hath divuiged and eieat
ed our design We forgive an act whch sprung from
the gentle ness of his faith Thunk not, that though
some (f us are in chains, that there are not others reads
to ayenge the Manes of thy victims, and redress thest
wronged and violated country. The dagger yet re
mains nnsheathed, and the sons of Rome cur-e the life
of the Tyrant. Ir Claudius and Tita perish Nrro dres
A CONBPIRATOR
The Tyrant looked on the crumbled fragments at h
feet, as though ashamed that threats shonld change hs
nurpose, or cheat him of his feast of blo d He vains
endeay red to laugh away his fears: bnt n was vaine
hus mind revetted to the dangers from huch he had
been rrsrued The Tyrant is continually a coward
and suem jon pronersts those cruelties from others
which bove been sntheted by himself Terror prevad
ed. butCunbing forgst not to cnhance the pardon os
the gift of generosity. Release. the Christiat.' he ex
claimed. 'he hath saved my life.' He descended the
throne with the Asiatie. unwilling, as it were. tore
main on the spot where Mercy had supplanted Ven
geance
The Christians had tasted the bitterness of death io
its anticipation The reprieve called them backwet
world whose hopes and snterests they hae foorgot in the
change which awaited them, and whle they wept with
gratitude fo thoir pardon, Faith still turned their hearts
to the Future as an Iome "not made with hands, eter
nalin the Heavens"