Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-07-29
CHAPTER VIII.

to follow minuteIy the history of the Ro-
man World, or the incidents of her heroes,
| from the death of ScveruS up to the
eighth year after. Within that time Car
racalla and Geta had occupied the throne
of empire jointly, and the latter, by an
intrigue Of Carracalla and his wife Julia,
had been basely murdered in the imperial
| palace: Macennis, the competitor of Max
imin for power, had been made PrItorian
Prafect under the infamous Carracala,
and the Roman Senate had been borne
down to the lowest position of degra-
dation and submission.
Maximin, soon after his return from
| Caledonia, and after Geta's murder, went
back to his Thracian home. to watch the
tide Of events and mature plans for future
greatness. His return to his native com-
| try was welcomed by all the land, and
the people poured forth in multitudes to
witness the Roman Centurian's triumph
ant entry into Thrace; for even centu-
rian of the Roman army was an object of
! greatness in thedlstant regions of Thrace.
Besides, the deeds of the powerful barba-
rian youth in the military games were
not forgotten in the few years of his alb
sence; and they had been sung by the wild
barbarian hcarths in every valley, and on
every hill since the great day of the
games of ScvcruS.
But gay was the palace Of the chief
Ormerous at MaXimin s return, No longer
his master welcomed the honorcd soldier
with all the luxurious pomp at his COM
mand, and now felt even a strong desire
to wed him with his daughter. Hitherto
he had been ignorant Of the love existing
between his peasant boy and Noluntina
the beatinful But now he conceived the
/ honorable design n1nSCIL.
1t is TO be supposed, that, after SO long
absence from the woman he adored, and
whom he had left for the winning of
honors, in which he had been successful,
that MaXimin would early seek an op-
portunity to meet Voluntirh. But he
was not waited for. Scarce had his foot
been planted in Thrace, than Ormerous,
attended by a long retinue, with his
daughter, met him, and congratulated
him on his return to his native land.
''I thank thee for these honors, good
Drlncrous," said MaXilnin, in his deep,
full tone, now settled into the firmness of
manhood's prime; for eight years had
settled On the Thracian's brow since he
left Ormcrous and his country, and he was
now man.
Il thank thee again, good Ormcrous; ;
but where is thy daughter ! heard thee
say she too, came to welcome me-"
.'Shc did, noble Maximin; and waits in
yonder litter to behold thee. Indeed, sir,
she desires much to see thee again." an
Swcred the chief.
And is it so ?-then not less is my ca
gerness to look upon her. Come, let us
60 to her."
Now old Ormerous' heart bounded with
delight, as he led the way to Voluntina S
litter, hoping to sec his daughter s beauty
captivatc at once the mighty soldier.
Scarce had MaXimin's eve fallen upon
Voluntina, and hers upon him, than they
rushed into each other arms.
"Ah, Maximin, and hast thou come at
last z" asked the maiden.
Yes, lady, | have come at length,
with honors on my head. Seest thou
aught in me now of what was once the
peasant, Noluntina, for such | may call
| tEtc HOW, tllltil HOW, l. ever was
obliged to reverence thee, and call thee
my lady"
s'Ah call me Eoluntina, Maximin; for
thou art now no longer peasant boy, but
honored man."
Alcthinks, Maximin, thou and my
daughter must have met before this hour -
said Ormerous, his eyes glistening with
delight.
"Ay, that have we," replied Maximin,
rs Noluntina pressed her head to his bo-
som thou hast not known, Omerous,
that, when but STRIPPING youth, and this
lovely maiden but an infant, that | loved
her; thou vert in ignorance that, when
thy tloclis tended, the fondest love of
earth inspired my heart to WOO thy
daughter; nay, ignorant thou vert, when,
on the day Of the games, honor won
before the Emperor, that the gaze of Vol
untlna made me strong to win awards.
And know, even now, that 1T was our
mutual love that drove me to the Roman
camp, that | might honors win, and rank
with Volmtina' self in caste. This have
done and now, returned, L ask of thee
Eoluntina as my wife.
Rejoiced am to hear thy words, no.
bic warrior: but, Voluntina, my daugh-
ter, is all this from his mouth sanctioned
by thee Dost thou love the noble
MaXimin 2"