Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-02-15

emily low knock was heard at the loor
and her falbehentered Beience shuders
ed, and gsaidsN Not this oh, let ID bel
spared His worst griell--yet, no The sac
rifice must be complete give mepnly /
strength to bear it," Then she advalced,
and led Flayius Torquatus to her cdch,
and meekly kpeeling before him, prwed
him YET once more to lay his hand upon ler,
and bless her,
The old man answered, {" 1t is not for
this come, unhappy girl; | come to tell
you that all my entreaties have been in
vain; the orders Of the emperor must not
be disobeyed and his orders were, that all
Of your ianatical sect should be e.termna-
ted. Were Marcus here, the tears and
prayers OF his faithful servant might avail
but he is beyond the Danube ;--tomorrow,
a general execution Oh, Berente my
child, my child must | live 10 see your
blood flow by the hand of common execu-
toner p
come not, as / came Yesterday" he
continued, after long pause, with tears
and entreaiies TO move you yesterday,
knelt TO implore you; to save your fathers
heart from breaking; and all in vain To.
day come with harsher purpose You
asked me but now TO take you in my arms
and bless you, as did when you were a
rrtle child. Berenice, il you do no, aban-
don your niatuaton, il you persis, in bring
ing eternal dishonour on your line.-Ber-
cnice, listen may The curse Of your faith.
err
The girl pressed his arm heavily; she
tried to speak, but her parted lips were
white as marble, and refused to utter a
sound
The old man looked on her and the
cuise on his lips were stayed. He looked
on her, and kissed her, ere he went for be
had lenderly loved her mother.
My sister? 2" she family murmured, as
he moved away, but Flavius answered
You will never see her again you
would infect her with your superstition
cannot be left childless in my old age"
And the old man went, and as the last
sound oil his departing step died away, Ber-
enice thought her worst trial was over, and
she Withdrew her thoughts from the world,
and sought 10 prepare her soul for death.
Late in The following day, the people of
Rome assembled in the amphi,heatre, to wit
ness the mariyrdom OF the Christians. Hor.
rible deaths they died Some were torn
TO pieces by wild beasts others were burned
at slow fire; some few were crusified and
they counted such death an unmeri,ed 6on.
oT-Berence was reserved for the last, aud
because she was OF Roman and patrican
blood, she was 10 suffer the milder punish.
ment Of decollaiion. The sign was given.
and when il was proclaimed by the herald.
tina, the Christian maiden was coming forth
here was so deep silence among that vast
I ,lttt 10 hot al ~
the girl and her conductors were heard
But what was the surprise Of all present,
when they behed, no, one, but two young
madens both dressed alike in white rameni,
both coming forth with the same quiet
step, and placid demeanor; and one, it might
be the most tranquil. advanced a step tow.
ards the seat where he who governed the
city, during the absence Of Marcus Anonius
sat and thus addressed him
1t is |, most noble project who am Ber-
enice the Christian this girl, my sister, for
love of me, would fan take my name and
punishment on herself, but credit her not
| il is | who am the condemned"
Then arosca touching dispute between
the sisters ;-sslerly love lending one the
eloquence which the other derived from
truth Many Of their friends, and even of
their relatives in the amphhbealre. were
called on TO come down and decide between
them. but some spoke for the one and some
spoke for the other Veronica, in her agoni-
zing fears had lost the light and joyous ex.
preston OF her countenancc and Berenices
meek and holy hopes had chased the deep
melancholy from her face and mien.
One or Two brutal voices arose and said,
q They both call themselves Christians,
let them both die the death I" but one of
the madens answered, " Think not, most
noble project, if you thus decree that you
will be guiltless of my sisters blood she
| is not Christian al heart; would l no
longer oppose her sharing my early death.
Veronica, acknowledge the truth, and let
me suffer alone" But Veronica, if she it
was persisted in her first declaration, and
none could tell how this dispute would ter.
inmate when new incident attracted the
attention ofthe multitude, and silenced eve.
ry doubt.
A speck was seen in the air, it came low
er, nearer il was milk-white dove. The
bird hutered round one, then drew near
the other; no caressing hand was held out to
receive him but his instinct was not TO be de.
ce;ved he settled on the shoulder of her
who had answered the harsh voice from the
crowd, and sought TO nestle as he WIS wont
in her long hair, Many were present, who
knew the pet belonged TO Berenice, so the
people were satisfied with this decision, and
4 ha ,vaaninn Uaranica still 4, ~ II 81