Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-11-06
"Why ask !? have not formerly done SO fol

"Thy gifts to me have proved it."
81 am bountiful''
''Yonder jewelled vase attests it."
''Well, then, will trust thee serve me WELL
and will erect sanctuary to thy deity the proud
est in Rome''
"My ears are open and my heart prepared to
bury thy words" said the priest.
IT'S this, continued Armenus. 1.-The good
Augustus, our new censor, is about to make him
self prince of the Senate, and would thwart him.
have no line of noble ancestors on whom to base
my claim it is superstition that must aid me
that thou canst command. Thy temple is the re-
sort of the rich and the poor of the city-of the
high and low by thy aid, and that of yonder
stone, my desire may be accomplished if thou
wilt, and succeed in my designs, l swear to keep
my promise"
The priest consented when the two having
consulted measures for the furtherance of their
scheme, the priest, drawing aside a veil, entered
an inner apartment, and the shades of night envel-
oped the capital of the world.
The multitudinous noises of the gay metropolis
had subsided-the twilight had passed away, and
the moon shone brightly in the frmanent-'twas
midnight.
Each pillar reared its graceful capital distinct in
the silvery flood which ilumed the earth with
nearly the brilliancy of sunshine, save where its
rays were reflected back by the pale marble which
sion of Armenius
One object only gave animation to the scene ;;
and even he appeared scarcely living, for in the
darkness ola deep shadow he stood as if transfix
ed, and made no motion, save now and then the
hand which was upon the breast would contract as
! if with nervous action.
Another figure added to the scene--she gldes
on tip-toe and rapidly flies to meet the youth she
throws herselfinto bis arms-his lips meets hers
~ I Z Il
embrace, declares them to be lovers.
Stealing noiselessly into the deeper shade of an
adjacent wall, they are concealed from eye save
that of him who cannot look upon such love, so
pure, fervid, SO disinterested, but with pity on
the sad fate that separates them.
"Agricola, love-" whispered the maid, "have
| fingered too long from thee? thou wilt forgive
me it was to avoid detection that tarred.
The youth seized her tapering fingers in his own,
and pressed to his bosom.
"No, love-" he cried, pressing Eer hands to his
lips, and bathing them in the sea of agony which
was running from his eyes. ''No, alas thou
hast not fingered long enough; would that thou
hadst never come !!
"Say not SO, Agricola. Wherefore dost thou
weep thus ?" she inquired soothngF.
because" he replied ''this is the last time
that we meet, Sylvia, and may not consecrate ii
by tear p
"The last, Agrcola" sobbed the tender-hear-
ted girl. ''Oh, name it not we never Will part
again.'
''Alas what would'st thou %
Give with thee--dic with thee--Sylyia would
be thy wife,
"No, no p exclaimed the youth, as a pang o
grief darted through his soul, 'no Sylvia, it can
not be ~
: Then, Z" said she, reprovingly, ''thou dost no
Il love me- or thou wouldst rot cast me off,
: Love you ?" cried he, cit is that love to-
well, too"
''Then why not listen to my prayer"
+ ''Alas it is that / love too deeply
a No." cried ihe girl, ''no, Agricola, did tho
love like me--ike me adore--thou wouldst cas-
g.; aside these fears"
e Fears p repeated the youth, dropping his han
1t and flashing fire from his eyes, which umine
n the space about them, clears. Sylvia ? thou dos
Il not know me. To me fear is stranger IT'S nc
that which influences me but recoect, girl, Ae
ricola is slave p
The momentary sternness which he had assun
ed did not, however damp the ardor of the girl
it seemed to render him still more dear to her
rs She placed her fragile about his manly necl
r and in tone of gentle reproach, ''Rebuke me no
nv love- she said, ''thou knowest if Agricola
n Slave, Sylvia would share his bondage with hin
a Her love should make his slavery sweeter thu
en- freedom"
"Desst," responded the youth, encircling h
az waist with his arm, with respectful tenderness
d. and softenng his tone, remember your father
Roman !''
'e- 81 know it we,' she answered eagerly, "y
Or, still love thee p
st Il know it, Sylvia, alas too well, but were
ow to wed thee, it would draw his indignation on
by both For myself, l care not, but for thee-t
ne gods know, sooner would l give my head to
ed execu.ioner than those bright eyes should low
ler before the frown of an angry father. Sylvia,
d. must not be - and clasping his hands in ago
Dit, he added, ''let me remain save--thou the W.
her thy daughter of Roman"
not ''Crue as thou art, still love thee she VIII
he pered through her tears; 'none but thee To-
pit or care for. My fathers wrath heed not SO Il
her possess thee, | care"
her ''Hist p said her lover, carefully leaning
ing ward the spot they had just quilted ''when
up we met | heard noise like that which just STIR
nil upon my ear-Sylvia away !"
lee, "Never," cried the girl, with loves despe
hou ton, and clinging more closely to him, ''neV
thy till thou'st promised l will die with thee, Al
life, cola. but will not lose thee p
dsst faint noise, resembling football, broke
him the silence, as Agricola strove to dlsengage
rke self from the virgin who tWined her arms vii
sur about his neck.
: re- "Begone, Sylvia, beseech."
the It'll Won nrom;sa mayer y, she exclain
asp nearly choked with emotion.
oS Again was the noise heard-if they were
that covered, ruin would befall the idol of his be
least and he degraded by the the lash. mon
more it would be too late he put his lips to
RIO -. col .szag1