Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-05

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!, eyes haughtily TO the face Of the question
| ler; but the crimson blush gass palmer an
! swcr than words could have given.
4. my power docs not extend to SACRED
matters" he said coldly. AThosc who Sin
against the goddess, cannot save"
| She looked up, saw his coldncss Of man
ncr, and obcying first impulse, flung herself
Ipassionately at his feet.
Il "Saye him save him! Clcobulus, or
4 die. You owe much to my father. You
| will cancel all the debt. If BY your means
Gloon is restored"
| An expression Of most intense passion
passed over his face, as he gazcd upon the
great beauty Of the young Greek girl, as
she knelt. at his feet, with her hands clasp
ed, and her large exquisite eyes turned i'm
ploringly upon him. Suddenly he fell
upon Els knees beside her. caught her in
his arms and pressed kiss upon her lips.
Ill also love thee"
And Myrrha rose, speechless with in
dignation. Her check was pale, her eye
flashed with light as without word, but
with look of almost unuttcrablc haughti-
ness, she pointed to the door.
And already alarmed, the officer shrulik
from her presence.
Myrrha clappcd her hands; and ono Of
her maidcns entered.
"Bid Sosia to attend me-" she said.
Sosia was soon found, and entered bear
ing letter in his hand
"What have you there good, Sosia ?"
asked the mistress.
IA letter fortle noble Clcobulus, lady,"
said the slave.
"Givc 1t to me-"
And Myrrha took from his hand the
missive. loosened the wax and unrolled the
parchment. 1t was a request for file of
soldiers from the Archfamen of DIANA
Many ofthe younger members ofthe priest
hood had been openly expressing resolu-
tions to resist any attempt upon the life
of Clcon; and the stcrner among thcmh had
therefore requested the assistance Of the
civil power.
May | trust thee, Sosial' asked Myrrha.
"Trust me, lady Myrrah-"
"Nay, Ibid wrong to ask. But can you
find, among my fathers ancient soldiers,
any one who will do service for love of
him and mel"
81 will get hundred, noble lady who
will die for you"
"Get twenty, good Sosia, and contrive
tohavc them outside ofthe palace, to meet
me at dark, besides the obelisk of Her
cules.
And Myrrla strengthened herself with
her newly found faith. Whenthe day was
past, and the dusky wings of twilight be-
gan to ovcrshadow the world, she disguis-
cd herself in the dress of freedman, a
long brown robe, and stole cautiously from
the palace She found the soldiers await
ing her, and advancing to the side of So
sia, she babe him give the word, and they
moved forward.
They soon reached the temple, and at
its porch Hamen awaiting them. He
glanced suspiciously at Myrrha.
"Who is that youth?' he asked of So
sia.
"a flvoritc freedman ofthc noble Cleo
bulus," was the reply, "the men will
scarcely obey me. This young man bears
his masters signct, which they will re-
spcct."
"Well, said the hamcn," "follow me,
them"
So they entered the temple by the usual
porch, but turned aside when In the vesti-
bule, and passed through side door into
a long narrow passage which conducted
them at length into a spacious apartment,
upon one side of which massive curtain
fell from the ceiling to the floor.
THAT" said the priest in low tone to
Sosia, and pointing to the curtain, shat
conducts to the recess behind the altar and
in it the trial of this infdcl Cleon will take
place." As he spoke, the priest slipped
behind the curtain and disappeared.
Myrrha drew the folds Of her drapcry
slightly aside and looked through. Be-
tween the altar and the wall there inter-
vened space some thirty feet square
The wall was covered up to the roof al
most, with richly carved wood work, up
on which was hung the "vestimcnta voti-
va" mentioned by Horace: the garments,
&C., customarily deposited at the shrine
by the worshipper. At the foot Of this
wood work were arranged jars Of the rich
gums. incense, myrrh and camPhor,
and in the temple service. Upon the
other side of the space were the al.
tar whereona large fire burned bright
ly; and over its top hung the solemn
darkness which filled the temple beyond.
A throne was erected beside the altar.
Evenwhile Myrrha gazcd, door open
ed and fromit issued an array of purple
robed priests; amidst whom, clad in the
full pricstly robes but with cords upon
his arms, she saw the paid face but clear
eye and calm brow of Cleon. Myrrha
turned and whispered toSosia and he to
his companions.
The Arch-hiereus (high priest) seated
himself upon the throne, and at a nod,
| Cleon was placed so as to confront him.
"Dost thou know why thou art arraign-
cd here! asked the Arch-hiereus.
Cleon fixed his eyes calmly on the ques-
toner as he replied,
"For worshipping the true God,"
"And farther" said the priest; sternly,
'for recantation or torture. Behold" and
he pointed to the altar whereon lay certain
instruments of torture, "wilt thou renounce
these new infdel opinions and return peni
tently to the shrine of Artemiss II so,
there stands the goddess kneel and wor-
ship"
at is written, there is but one true God, -
was Clcon's reply.
"Yet bothink thee! Thou art young,
too young to die by the torture"
"But not too young to be strong with
strength from above"
1--WE are not met to argue now. Du-
ring your imprisonment the wisest of your