Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-11-03
GBr 4ailp spp.
ALARIC;
OR,
THE TYRANT'S VAULT.
A SiciIinn Story of OIden TIMES.
ALARIC;
CHAPTER U.-Cont,r


At this juncture Bellerus returned in haste
and there was a look of trouble upon his
brow. He closed the door behind him, and
then turned towards our hero.
"Alaric," he said evidently irving tn as
sumo calmness which he did not feel, ''have
you any reason to suppose that your entrance
into this city this evening was particularly
noticed -
"Why do you ask ?" demanded the youth.
on tell you" answered Bellerus. 'Ihave
just come from the inn near the Temple of
Diana, where l overheard a conversation be.
tween two soldiers who had Just come from
the Southern gate. They said that Greek
vessel was seen upon the coast this morning,
and that some one landed from her. 1 also
made out, from their conversation, that the
king had been informed of the fact, and that
he had given orders that every stranger who
entered the city should be watched. and in
telligenee of his whereabouts conveyed to
him
Then may be assured that have been
followed. said our hero; "for suspected it
while on my way hither."
"And if such be the case," said Bellerus,
1--WE shall hear more from it,
"But before we wait for that we'll take
some steps of our own" cried Ianthe.
"Some safe hiding place must be found"
Alaric was upon the point of speaking,
when loud knocking was heard without,
and voice demanded entrance, in the name
of the king.
ely fy!" cried lanthe, selling her lover
by the arm.
"Hold," spoke Bellerus, who became calm
in the presence of this necessity. "If he flies
he will not escape now, for our house may be
watched upon all hands and if he is caught
in the act of fleeing, deeply and more dead
ly suspicion may fasten upon him.
Another laundering knock was heard and
Bellerus started towards the door,
"We must meet it now," he said, 'sthough
L wish had known your coming had been
noticed, Ianthe, you had better withdraw"
"Not while"
''Hush In this must be the judge. For
the good of him you love bid you seek your
own apartment"
"Aye," added the youth, leading her to
wards the inner court, edo as he bids you. L
shall be safe enough. At all events, l will
see you again.
He kissed her and blessed her; and she
passed from the apartment just as the host
unbarred and opened the outer door. She
stopped and caught hold of her lover by the
hand ere she left him, and with heavy fear
upon her heart, she asked him to be careful.
"The thought of thee shall be inducement
enough to that end, he replied. "And now
may the gods be with US both"
In g few moments more Bellerus returned,
and with him came four soldiers. They were
stout, hard looking men, whose hearts per-
formed no other office than to furnish them
with animal life that they might do the bid
ding of their master. One, who wore the
uniform of Lieutenant advanced from his
companions and gazed into our hero's face.
You entered the city this EVENING"" he
said.
Alarie hesitated for moment, but during
that short moment his mind was made up
| lie quickly Judged that only falsehood might
only injure him, and he resolved to tell the
whole truth.
81 did" he answered.
"And you landed from Greek vessel this
morning"
Eyes"
"Then you will go with ms to the royal
palace"
''But why is this -
"Because the king has so commanded"
"Shall l see him tonight"
''We came not to answer Questions-only
to command your attendance at the palace"
said the Lieutenant, gruffly.
"Our gracious monarch will evidently see
you tonight" interposed Bellerus, who saw
the flash of indignation in Alaric's eye, and
feared that he might make matters worse by
giving way to his feelings.
The youth saw the old mans meaning, and
ne curbed his rising emotions.
care you ready to go" asked the officer.
"At any moment"
'1hen we have nothing further to detain
us re-
Alaric put on his cap, and as they passed
out through the narrow passage Bellerus
found an opportunity to whisper in his ear
"Be cautious-keep guard upon your
tongue. Let US hope that the danger is not
great"
And yet there was a tremulousness in his
tone-a terror in his very breathing-that be-
lied the words of hope he spoke. Until this
moment the youth had not felt serious alarm,
but, as he caught the look Of horror upon the
honest artisans face, the bolt struck TO his
own heart
"The gods be with thee !" spoke Bellerus,
as they reached the porch.
But Alaric made no reply. At that mo-
ment weighty thought was upon him, and
before he could call his senses back for an an
swer he was hurried out into the street. The
officer walked by his side, while one of the
soldiers led the way, and the other two fell in
behind,
A variety of thoughts occupied Alarics
mind as he passed on through the narrow,
dimly- lighted streets. He remembered how
he had seen his father cut down, and how his
brother had been butchered; and the same
bloody tyrant who had done it, had now
sent for him. Is 1t a wonder, that, with all
his bravery, the youth felt cold chill creep
ing about his heart as he approached the lair
of the remorseless monarch