Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-11-22

CHAPTER TX.
Valens looked moment al his pale, excited,
trembling wife. The blood Teceeded from his
broad, red cheeks; and passing out of the
door, he hurried into the grounds back of his
DWELLING his first thought being, as the even
ing was fine. and the air balmy and pleasant,
that they had gone out TO enjoy the bright
starlight, and the fragrance of the moist,
dewy flowers.
He passed rapidly along the walks, and
through the thick, clustering vines but see
ing nothing OF them, he returned again toethe
hail. cndcaroring to conceal, as far as possi-
blc, his increasing anxiety.
just as he entered, however, the sound of
feet ascending the marble steps, caught his
ear; and, turning round, he FASTENED to the
door and opened it, followed by Valencia.
1t was Ealdinus and Vertitia.
where's Fiducia 20 inquired Valencia,
quickly.
I've left here, with her child, an hour ago.
replied Yaldinus.
What, left her alone :" said Valens, sharp
ly.
les; we were out on matter OF Fertita 81
self carelessly on a seat in the corner.
II appeared, they had been to one of the
numerous Heathen Temples, to present an Of
fering to certain Goddess. As to the OBJ
.icct of this offering, it must suffice to say,
that it was not wholly unconnected with the
affair of Marcus.
The truth, at length, flashed like Tightening
the mind of Valens, and he could no longer
conceal his apprchensions. His dear Fiducia
had been seized and carried off, and possibly,
by that time. her body had been committed
TO the flames; but how she had fallen into the
hands of their barbarous prosecutors, he could
not conjecture. Nor was there any one to
tell. Valdinus and Yertitia had left her alone
with her child an hour before, and that was all
they knew. The circumstances, therefore, of
her arrest and abduction was a profound mys-
SO.
Then, knowing as he did the strength of
Fiducia's principles, and her resolute purpose,
often expressed to himself, never to deny
her faith, even at the cost of her life, led him
TO believe, that, if in the power of their enc
mics, her fate would soon be sealed.
And here, it may well be stated, that this
was Fiducia's natural character, firm and un-
compromising, especially in matters of faith
and duty. Neither threats, nor tortures, nor
batteries could shake her resolution, when
once advisedly formed. This feature had al
ways been one of the most noticeable in her
life, even from her childhood; and it had
shown itself with marked prominence in her
character as Christian.
At the same time, however, it had always
been united with an uncommonly easy, mild,
docile disposition and Fiducia had always
been one of the most kind, loving, and obedi-
ent daughters. With little to say, and less
disposed to join in the frivolous Cavities of
OF the world, her ornament was indeed that of
"meek andsquiet spirit" And then, uni-i
versally esteemed, she had gained hold uponj
the hearts of her parents. well nigh amounting
te idolatry.
Hence, We can readily conceive how stun. |
ming the shock like some great convul-
sion, their present apprehensions would toss
and upheave their souls into the widest dis
order, and break up the deepest fountains of
their sorrows. liS115isths go -%7-sssasa4 iiDi
And yet there was feint, lingering hope.
Ihe human mind never readily yields to des-
pair 1t will shoot forth its tinsel rays through
'he thickest GLOOM. Hence, after the first
paroxy sms Of his grief and subsiied, Yalens
'eSoiYed once more to visit his grounds, in
search Of his missing daughter. s !