Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-10
~ ! 80. 80 J
OR, THE THRACIAN WRESTLER
BY HERMAN II. HEATH,
CHAPTER XVI.
TIE DISCOVERY.

Ormerous and the old astrologer CROPPED
their way through the darkness, from the
apartment of the former, down the pas
sage-way to the frs, floor of the mansion,
through the atriunc, by the implurvium,
thence into the highway, passing through
the vestlbulum on their way to the SEN
ate.
Their course lay by that part of the
palace in which Voluntina's apartments
were situated, which, as they passed, Or
merous casually, yet, as was most natu-
raj, looked up at, as sheltcring the daush-
ter of his warmest affection-his only
hope.
''Ha, hath not Voluntina yet retired
She waits, methinks, for Maximin's s COM
ing. But still, good Homedus, it is not
we'll that yon latticed window should
thus be thrown wide open to the un-
healthy, damp night air; besides, at this
hour, even there be occasional passers by,
whose prying eyes will thithcr be direct
ed. What thinks't thou, Homedus 2"
said Ormerous, as he espied the open
window, which had been left as Carracal-
la had but few minutes before passed
through it, with Voluntina his prisoner.
Il think, noble Ormcrous, that IN
| these dangerous times, cen bolts to doors
and windows be not too secure against
lust and power" replied the old sage
"Ill call her." said Ormerous. He re-
pcated the call of & VoIuntina" several
times; each time louder than the proceed
ing, vet no answer came.
Sha ho,- @,>
ment, " suggested the wise Homcdus.
"This may be- returned the chief;
" but, my mind fears, lest i'll hath be-
fallen my daughter. Come, let us return
and find her, ere We 60 hence to the Sen
ate"
The two old men retraced their steps,
and passing through the various passages
to \oluntlna's S apartment, they came to
the door: which, endeavoring to enter,
they found it barred. Ormcrous called
loudly for his daughter again, and again,
without response. Recovering at length
important and somewhat alarmed, his
voice became louder and louder, until,
at last, he aroused the sleeping maid of
his daughter, who instantly repaired to
her mistress chamber in terror.
When questioned of her mistress, she
could only say that she had left her about
rctireiIg in her chamber an hour or too
before, and that she had not seen her since
Finally, the chamber in which his daugh-
ter had retired was forcibly entered, when
70 the aotonishment of all, even the couch
had not yet been pressed. Terror now
sliced the unhappy father, who raved in
Jury, calling only upon the name Of his
daughter.
Homcdus, who had feared i'll from the
first, went to the window. Upon one OF
the hinges of the window easement, he
espied shred of golden fringe, and bring
ing it to the light, exclaimed, as he held
it up before the eyes of the father:
"Dost thou see this-did'st ever see
the like of this before %
Ormerous gazcd a moment in the in
tcnsity of his grief; but thinking OF
nought save his daughter, cried out:
Away, old man; what have | at such
an hour, to do with tinsellcd patches ?
Away, away: and bring unto me my
daughter y
NAY, nay, good lord Ormerous look
upon this, and you will know ALL"
foolish old man." cried the chief,
chow canst thine heart put forth such
simplicity in a grevious hour like this O.
g But look at this" said Homcdus,
without seeming to notice the words of
Ormerous. But look at this; thou
sawest it once before tonight. Remcm-
berest thou not that robe that Carracalla
wore at the banquet, the costly trimmings
of which VIC all did gaze upon, and SO
much admired? This is the very same:
and | but now took it from yon hinge
whereon it hung, as if it had from the
garment been torn by a quick passage
through the open window. Canst thou
read this riddle 2"
NAY. nay, old man, thou hast crazed
and fanciful brain; but give me the shred y
Ormerous took the fringe which was
handed him by IIomedus. 1t had, indeed:
been torn from Carracalla's robe, as he
hastily leaped through the window, though
OF course ignorant of the accident; else
had he stopped to remove it. Twas not
a little strange that he should have sup
posed the window open; although such an
occurrence was not uncommon at that
season of the year in Rome.
The old chief looked at the fringe but
a moment, when with both hands he
clenchcd it tight, and seemed convinced.
Casting himself upon the floor, he cried
feariully and loud. At length, however,
he listened to the voice of the old man
beside him