Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-11-22
From the Ladies' Companion.
II EROINES OF SACRED HISTORY
NUMBER 1.

from the LhuleS companion.
lHEROINES OF SACRED HISTORY.
NUMBER
THE HERoIsM OF QUEEN ESTHER.
CONTINUED.
CHAPTER IH.--THE FALLEN QUEEN.
GAS jewel of gold in swine's snout
60 is fair woman without discretion
Proverbs, IL %.
In a large saloon, paved with marble,
and lined with l.ydian tapestry, belonging
to noble house of Susa-her face buried
in the satin cushions upon which she lay was
lady ndulging in all the abandonment of
violent grief. A man richly clad stood in
front of her, his arms folded in his purple
mantle, gazing in silent contempt upon the
agonized female before him.
"And this is the naughty Vashti!" he
said at last "T'hIs weak, weeping woman
is the daring spirit which ruled the court
of Artaxerxes"
''Rai on, my brother" said the unhap-
by lady, raising to his face whose glor-
Gus beauty was dimmed with tears. Your
scorn, your contempt, can arouse me no
more" My spirit is broken, my pride is
gone, and the empress is lost in the
woman"
"Can it be possible you loved this man :"
"Yea, Hannah, with all the fire of my
natureW
"Then why not obey him! Why accuse
fate for your misfortune when you have
carved out your own destiny? Proud and
unbending, you offended the princesses,
and made enemies of the mobiles of your
court, and eonld not curb your indomtable
spirit even for the crown of Persiaw
The sorrow-stncken queen offered no
reply to her brothers. cruel reproaches
but too much exhausted even to weep, with
closed eyes she leaned heavily back against
the cushions, her rich dark hair no longer
confined by the royal tiara, fell in disorder
around her, and her long lashes lay upon a
cheek of marble paleness. Hannah walked
impatiently about the saloon.--"So well
had | planned" he said-s'so long and
cunningIy worked to place you upon the
throne, and now to have my nincely-reared
fabric overthrow by your impatient spirit,
is enough to drive me mad There is how
ever, one thing left, rengeancc!," Vashti
started, and pressed her hands firmly upon
her heart. eyes, vengeance, sister !!
Woulds't thou not smile to see him low who
wronged thee?'
"Oh that could tear this weakness
from my heart" exclaimed Vashti, pas
sioaaielv, "but, Hannah harm him not !!
| could curse for myself for it, brother. |
lore him yet, ;" and with shuddering sigh
she once more fell back.
"Psllaw this is toolery What is thy
love to me IT'S already whispered thou
art in my house, and should it be discover
ed thou art my relative, my enemies will
seize upon it as an engine to hurl me from
the favor Of this besotted king. l have
not ye: arranged my plans, but if I cannot
work upon Artaxerxes TO degrade Esther
aud place thee again on the throne, he sure
y dies!'
"Thou worm !" cried the queen. starting
from her seat, and fixing her dark vivio
eyes upon Haman-''dare not to touch tho
sovereign of Persia with thy low-borr
hands, He shall not die :"
"What dost thou wish him to live, bless
ing thy rival with his love?" said Haman
with a sheer, "Already he doats upon tn,
beauteous Esther, while thou art despiset
and forgottenn'
"Forbearp' sh,ieked the fallen queen
"Rend not my soul with such blasting ina
ges Hurl Esther from my throne, ant
let her taste all the bitterness | have tas
ted AYE, let me see her hated blood fowl!
she cried fercely, her eyes flashing wit
dark emotions which swayed her bosom
all the woman was lost in the dethrone,
queen-''let me place my foot upon he
neck, and then do with me, aye, with him
what thou wilt !"
eff can ruin Esther in the Kings favor
or compass her death, wilt thou lend thy
self to my conspiracy''
81 wilip'
cit may be the death Of the king will b.
required, and may want some trusty AMI
unsupported agent, who can have access t,
him when he sleeps, to strike the blow II
secrecy and security? wilt thou be tn
/ agent?"
~ ,oiHn' and as she spoke the fire again
fled from her cheek, and covering her fac,
with her hands, she buried them in In,
cushions, her long, dark hair falling like
funeral veil around her.
CHAPTER Iy-THE KINGS DECREE
s'Thy tongue deviseth mischief;
Like a sharp razor working deceitfully.
| PROVERBS, Az.
Ill L: