The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-04
CHAPTER TIT.

and precious stones, and about him were few OF
the hardened, cruel subservient men whom he
dared to trust lie was a middleaged mani short
and clumsy in stature; with face broad and bru-
tai In its expression, and strongly marked by dis
sipation and debauchery. II he had ever possessed
the assurance Of a brave man, he had lost IL now.
and his only hopes Of safety were in the willing
swords about him, and in the terror which his
cruelty inspired. The light from three huge chan
deers Of massive gold cast strange lustre over
the large apartment-thc beams being here reflect
from polished mirrors; there from pillars Of marble
and porphyry; and anon taking deeper hues from
the .gaudy tapestry that hung upon the walls.
II would like to know who this stranger can he.
said the monarch. turning to his chamberlain.
"Ah-here comes the lieutenant. We shall see.
There movement among the guard at the
lower end Of the chamber, and presently officer
approached the throne, leading Alarc by the arm.
"Is lie unarmedy' the king cried his eye rest
cd upon the youth : tall and sinewy frame.
"He Is, sire. We found only q simple sword upon
him. and that we took from him.
\ contemptuous look oversprcad the youths face
a. he thus found a monarch so fearful: but when
he gazed full upon the features Of the tyrant who
had slain his loved kindred, expression Of deadly
hate swept over his noble brow, and a keen fire
burned in BIZ dark eye.
I'VE gods.' gasped the king, a. he caught full
view Of the youths face, with this deep expression
Of the soul upon IL. "what have we here? Come no
nearer! guard him Well Who art thoui'
Had the sword Of death been at that moment
pended over our heros head, and ready 10 fall al
breath. he could not have curbed the emotions
that swelled In his soul. In all his nature there
was not one principle or incentive that could lead
him 10 how and cringe before one whom he so ut
terly dcspiscd and dctested Had he thought of the
future he might have spoken differently, but he
thought Only Of the present and the past-he
thought only Of the bloody wrongs that had been
done, and he allowed his soul 10 have full sway.
II am Aaric,' he answered, looking full into
'"Alaric! Alarc! VIVA, Alaric art ,houlr
Hold, sire" inierposed the chamberlain, who
had been regarding the youth narrowly. "Mcthinks
thou shoudst know that face. He Is the son Of Or
neus.n
"Hal Now. by the gods. know HIM" cried the
king, starting up from his seat, but quickly sinking
back again. Art thou the son OF the patrician
Orneusl"
when my noble father lived was his son." the
prisoner replied.
And when your noble father died you fed from
the country" said the monarch, with sarcastic ON
phasis upon the words he had repeated from the
youths speech.
II did flee" was the reply.
And have you been absent ever SINGER
~ have
"where?"
"In Greece"
"why hast thou returned nowf"
"To see hc land Of my birth"
"Who came with theef'
II landed alone upon these shores your majesty,
and had no thought but TO find friend; and then,
If need be, TO leave the country again
and who is the friend you sought"
ence extends not beyond the walls Of her home.'
Aha female, ehf"
Yes"
And lives she with the artisan Belierusl"
II went there TO seek herr
And there you found herr
81 heard Of her there
ANSWER met cried the king, in q voice Of rage.
"By the sacred crown Of Jupiter thou hadst better
bite OF thine own head than answer me again ms
thou hast done. Who Is the maiden thou hast come
10 seekg'
"Alaric hesitated ere he replied 70 this Tie re.
membered the warning he had received from Belle.
rus and he began TO feel that he had been too rash
in his speech. But he had no choice now. n he
refused TO answer the king could easily send 20 the
dwelling Of the mason, and thus matters might be
only made worse.
She is the daughter OF Bellerus," he finally
said.
The monarch gazed into the youths face for some
moments without speaking. There was look Of
deadly meaning upon his hard features and his fin