Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-08-09

| Flavius Torquatus; the co-heiress of his
wealth and honors of one whose hand
viii confer distinction. If, on your return
from Germany, you should find me des-
poiled of all these advantages, an alien
from my fathers house, it may be from
his heart, scorned and forgotten by my
friends, despised by mankind
You would STILL" replied Lucius, " be
to me the same Berenice whom, in the
hour of prosperity. | had vowed 10 love
and TO cherish but what can be the mean
ing of your terrible words! why do YOU
torture yourself and me by such utterly
vain imaginings -
Berenice withdrew from the encireling
arm that supported her; she leaned against
the slight column of the yerandah her
voice was softer than the softest whisper,
yet every word fell with terrible clearness
on the ear of her lover; " Lucius Emilius,
| am Christian"
Lucius went forth that night from the
chamber of his betrothed an altered man
for the chill of disappointment had fallen
on his proudest and fondest hopes. He
had tried all his persuasive powers to in
duce the girl to forsake her new opinions
he had tried III vain; 40 now nought for
him remained to do but to fulfill the en-
gagement in which his honor was con-
cerned, and then to return, to love her
still, and to protect her, if necessary, with
his life. He bore with him two precious
gifts, 10 console him in absence, as far as
anything could console him-the golden
casket and the carrier dove.
Berenice was again alone, not, as here
tofore, in the solitude of her own Iuxuri-
Gus apartment not surrounded, as she
was wont to be, with her books, and music,
and flowers; she was alone in the solitude
of gloomy prison chamber. A small
aperture near the ceiling, guarded by iron
bars, admitted just light enough to show
the dismal emptiness of the place, no
tapestred hangings TO hide the cool, damp
walls, no warm carpets to cover the stone
floor. 1t contained only low couch, and
on that the maiden was seated, sometimes
raising her clasped hands in the deep ear
nesmess of prayer, sometimes covering
her red and swollen eyes to hide, it might
be from herself, the tears she could not
restrain. Presently a low knock was
heard at the door, and her father entered.
Berenice shuddered and said, " Not this,
oh, let me be spared this worst grief =
yet, no the sacrifice must be complete
give me only strength to bear it." Then
she advanced, and led Flavius Torquatus
TO her couch, and, meekly kneeling before
him, prayed him yet once more to lay his
hand upon her 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 extermi-
mated. Were Marcus here, the tears and
prayers of his faithful servant might avail
but he is beyond the Danube tomorrow,
general execution. Oh, Berenice mus,
| live TO see your blood flow forth by the
hand of the common executioner ?"
81 come not, as | came Yesterday" he
continued, after long pause, =" with tears
and entreatles TO move you; yesterday |
knelt 10 lmplore you to save your fathers
heart from breaking and all in vain
To-day | come with harsher purpose.
You ask me but now to take YOU in nv
arms and bless you. as | did when you
were little child. Rerenice, if you do
not abandon your infatuation, if YOU per-
sis in bringing eternal dishonor on your
line-Berenice, listen may the curse of
yOdr father"
The girl pressed his arm heavily; she
tried to speak, but her parted lips were as
white as marble, and refused to utter a
sound.
The old man looked on her; and the
curse on his lips was stayed. He looked
on her and kissed her, ere he went, for he
had tenderly loved her mother.
" My sister - she family murmured, as
he moved away, but Fiayius answered -
You will never see her again; YOU
would infect her with your superstition
| cannon be left childless in my old age"
And the old man went; and as the last
sound of his departing step died away,
Berenice thought her worst trial was over,
and she withdrew her thoughts from the
world, and sought to prepare her soul for
death.
Late on the following day, the people
of Rome assembled in the amphitheatre to
witness the martyrdom of the Christians.
Horrible deaths they died Some were
torn to pieces by wild beasts; others were
burned at slow fire some few were cru
cited, and they counted such death an un-
merited honor. Berenice was reserved for
the last, and because she was of Roman
and patrician blood, she was to suffer the
milder punishment of decollation. The
sign was given, and proclaimed by the her
aid, and when it was proclaimed by the
herald that the Christian maiden was COM
ing forth, there was so deep silence
amongst that vast multitude that even the
advancing steps of the girl and her con-
ductors were heard. But what was the
surprise of all present, when they beheld.