Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-06

Jury u uisSsScT 1atOi HIS OdCk, iWnen ms
footing gave way, and he fell prostrste on
the paved way. Turning quickly, Maxi
min, by the aid Of a. dim light near, saw
at glance who was before him. Ap-
preaching Maccnius, ere he had time to
rise and recover himself, Ma1imin stum-
bled upon his dagger, which had fallen
/ from his hand as he fell, but reached him
in sufficient time TO plant his knee upon
| his breast, and pin him to the earth Sc
curely. II lFs,i. .,,..-3 ..-.s1
g And art thou, bastard, on my track
for my blood, too? know of thy treach-
cry; evaded a horrid doom bat last even
in thy palace, but knew not that thou
wouldSt dog my steps so soon to drink
my blood. Fool. thou hast but rushed
prematurely upon thy DEATH Thou
might'st, but for this, have breathed, I'm
thy treachery, another day, iperchances
but now thy hour is come. If there be
one of the gods to whom We dare to raise
thy whispering voice, do so now, and in
a low whisper; for the first loud breath
will be thy last. Come, wrestle not with
me: We have forgotten the games on the
Thracian plains. +" r ,t....
! Macenius struggled with might at these
bitter words: but his efforts were weak
! beneath the powerful arms Of Maximin.
The contest was not destined to be of
long duration now; for, percciving that
the mfuriated man was searching for an
other weapon, Maximin drew his dagger
and plunged it several times into the
breast and bowels of his adversary
g Die, thou curse-thou base traitor"
he exclaimed, as he arose, kicking the
corpse into the gutter by the way, he put
his reeking dagger again into his bosom,
and strobe away to the Senate saying as
he turned away, :" Carracalla's blood shall
warm this blade once more with the rising
sun. ~ -1.-.'" IL - Ja- -
We must return now to the Emperor,
| who, waiting impatiently for the messen-
ger from Maeenius, became wild with
transport and joy, when he was at length
informed that his prognostication was
correct: that not only Maxirnin and Plan
tanius, but Papinian had left the palace
of the latter ;, for his messenger knew
naught of what has been related since
Macenius sent him back to his master.
CaTacalla, now more certainly presuming
they were intending to finish the night in
debauchery elsewhere, made speedy
march, attended by the two assassins, to-
ward Papinian s, where he intended to
obtain admission to Voluntina's apart.
ment. .'-l1y -l:rI ftf .-...H..st D. ...fI
Confident of success, with what he con-
sidered q weak maiden of Thraee, Cara
calla, urged by horrid passions, as well
as feelings Of revenge against Ma1imin,
passed rapidly through the gloomy ways
of Rome, accompanied by the two muir
dererS, one Of whom, as we have seen,
tarried with the Emperor, and the other,
who brought the message from Macenius.
Approaching the lofty palace of the
patrician, Papinian, the question now
arose, how was Noluntina's department
to be discovered and this found, by what
means were they to be entered. While
the Emperor and his accomplices were
thus debating, having halted on the op.
posite way from the dwelling, they dis |
covered light borne through passage
in the second story and in moment
after they espied through the iatticed
windows, which during summer, in Rome,
were always thrown open in evening, and
secured by latticed-work or netting the
beautiful form of Voluntina, accompanied
by her maid, as they entered her bed
chamber. Watching as closely as practi-
cable the movements within, they saw
the servant leave her, mistress, and she
was alone-the taper still burning.
To obtain admission to her bed-cham-
Der was Carracalla's first care now Vol
untina's apartment was located immedi-
atcly above the veStibulum or porch
fronting the palace, and, to mount this,
whence he could easily enter through the
latticed window, Carracalla determined.
Raised up by ythestrengthofh his comrades,
until he might grasp the upper edge of the
porch, whence by an effort, he carefully
lifted himself upon the roof of the
vestibulum. Ae '2Ei' !" H'f
| Nothing now, between Carra-
calla and the virtuous object of his pas
sion, save the slight netting of the window.
| Stratagem was however necessary to |
overcome this obstacle; although, with |
one stroke of his keen-edged dagger he
might open a passage; but, fear of alarm
ing Yoluntina decided him to adopt a
rule, Tapping gently against the windows |
edge, the Emperor softly whispered
Voluntina's name. ,j 1o.r56ao 1.msj
Starting with surprise, she made no
reply. 49,. ...c..,,a sid. b.. ..,ror,
Beautiful Voluntina!" again whispered
Carracalla, and again tapping the marble
window plate, concealing himself while
the voluptuous form of Maximin's wife |
stood full in his view. .,.-...,..r
:" Who speaks asked Voluntina, again
with fear. '-'.'. '' ma 20 '1an5
=" knowest thou not the voice of thy
husband 2" evasively inquired the Enpe-