The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1841-01-02

the magnificent buildings Of the eternal city;
the cool, thin air swept ever the brow Of
the maiden, and Gained her agi,ated thoughts.
She had bitter trial before her, for she was
about TO infct a deep wound on the hear,
Of one whom she loved with all the inno-
cent fervour Of girls first affection; and she
,iembled as che pictured to herself his sur
prise and sorrow. Then Berenicc looked
up at the quiet of the evening sky, and
thought Of the time when eat,h's interests
would bo over for her, and could she thus
look, and thus think, and still hesitate l--
All, no When she heard the steps Of Lu
cius drawing nigh, she plucked single
flower from creeping plant, that oversha-
dowed the balcony, and keeping it in her
hand as a token 10 recall her better resolu-
tions, she advanced to meet him.
'lt was not for this | sent for you hi,her,'
she said in reply to his passionate express
ion of regret and love; you are Roman
soldier Lucus, and know it was neither
your wish nor your destiny, TO be ever at a
lady's side. Believe me, | have learned TO
look on this parting as on thing inevita,
ble;' but even as she spoke her voice lalter-
ed.
Lucius leaned forward 10 console her, to
whisper of reunion, of lifelong reunion:
i Your father has promised, Dearest he
said, that this campaign once over, the Mar.
cotnanni once defeated, shall be rewarded
ft my return, with the hand Of my Bere
} nce.'
II may be so,' she answered sadly, ii
you still wish it,
: If I still wish il, I! Bcronice, Of what art
you dreamingr
Z am not dreaming, Lucus Emilius,
am speaking the words of sober reality
Yeu think Of me as of the beloved child G
: Flavius Torlua,us, the cQ.heiress of hi
wealth and Eonors; of one whose hand wi
+, confer distinction. If. on your return fror
Germany, you should find me despoilcd G
, all these advanages, an alien from my faith
er's house, il may be from his hearts corn
i ed and forgotten by my friends, despise
by mankind---'
; You will STILL replied Lucius, be to m
: the same Berenice, whom in her hour q
!. prosperity,I had vowed to levo and TO chez
ish; but what can be the meaning Of you
u terrible words? why do you torture yourse
and me, by such utterly vain imaginingP
Berenice withdrew from the encirclln
arms that supported her, she leaned againi
the slight column of the veranda, her voic
was softer than the softesi whisper, yet es
cry word fell with terrible clearness on tn
J. ear of her lover: Lucus Emeius | am
u Christian
J. Lucius went forth that night from tn
chamber of his belrolhed all altered mar
:, for the chill of disappointment had fallen o
!, his proudest and fondest hopes. He ha
). tried all his persuasive powers to induce tn
>. girl to forsale her new opinions; he ha
tried in vain;so now nough, for him renal
, ed to do but to fulfil the engagement
which his honor was concerned, and the
to returu--to love heI still, and 10 proe
her,-if necessary, with his life He boz
If with him two precious gifts,--to conso
=. him in absence, as far as any thing coul
console him-the golden casket and III
Q, carrier dove.
,r
" Berence was again alone, net, as heret
at fore in the solitude of her own luxuriol
h. apartment; not surrounded, as she was wo
er to be, with her books, and music and flow
I'd ers; she was alone in the solitude of glo
o. nv prison chamber. A small aperture ne
ne the ceiling, guarded by iron 5als, admitts
" just light enough TO show the dismal EN-
,iuess OF the place; no tapestrled hanging
OF TO hide the cold damp walls, no warm ca
he pet to cover the stone floor. 1t contains
tn only low couch, and ON that the maidt
ng was seated, sometimes raising her claspt
ly hands in the deep earnestness of praye
o- sometimes covering her red and swoll'
en- eyes to hide, it nigh, be from herself, Il