Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-11-12
CIR 5torq Grllrr.
ALARIC,
OR The
TYRANT'S VAULT,
A sIC.L1AN STORY OF EARLY TIMES.


to assume a camness which he did no
feel, "have you any reason to suppose
that your entrance into the city this eve
ming was particularly noticed"
"Why do you ask - demanded the
youth.
"Fll tell you" answered Bcllerus.
II have just come from the inn near the
Temple Of Diana, where | overheard a
conversation between two soldiers who
had just come from the Southern gate
They said that Greek vessel was seen
upon the coast this morning. and tina,
some one landed from her. also made
out, from their conversation, that the
king had been informed OF the fact, and
that he had given orders that every stran.
ger who entered the CITY should be watch.
cd, ard inteili Jence of his Whereabouts
conveyed to him
Then | may be assured that have
beer followed. said our hero; "for sus-
pected it while on my way hither"
And if such be the case" said Bel.
lerus, 1--WE shall hear more from it,
but before We wait for that we'll tai {
some steps of our own" cried Ianthe
"Some safe hluins place can be found. =
Alaric was u on the point of speak
ing whea load knocking was heard
without. and a voice demanded entrance,
in the name Of the king.
Fly fly - cried Ianthc, Selling her
lover by the arm.
Hold. spoke Bellerus, who became
calm IN the presence of this necessity.
"lf he flies he will not escape now. for
cur house may be watched on all hands;
and If he is caught in the act of fleeing, a
deeper and more deadly suspicion may
tasten upon him
Another laundering knock was heard
and Rellerus started towards The door.
ave must meet i; now" he said,
"thou.h | wish | had known your com
ing had been noticed Ianthe you had
bettar withdraw
Mot whiIc-''
"Hush In this must be The jidse
For the good Of him you love | bld yeu
seek your own apartment.
aye added tn youth. leading her
toward the inner court. "do as he bd'
you. shall be safe. At aIl events. |
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 lov.
er by the hand ere she left him, and. with
h,nl far II
him to be careful
The thought Of thee shall be induce
ment enough - that end he raphed
And now m,y the gods be with as
both
In a few moments more Bclerus re.
turned and with him came four soldiers
They were stout. hard-l5okinI men. whose
hearts performed no other Office than 10
furnish them with animal life that they
milht do the bidding Of their master
One, who wore tie uniform Of lieuten-
ant, advanced from his companions and
gazed into oar hero's face.
"iou entered the city this evening J"
he said
Alaric hesitated for a moment, but
during that short moment his mind was
made up. lie quickly judged that any
fa.sehood might only injure him and h
resolved TO tell the whole truth
Il did, he answered.
And you landed from Greek vess..
this morning -
"Yes.
Then you will 90 with Us to the roy
al palace
"But why is this So
because the king has SO comma nd
ed"
''Shall l see him 10. sht -
ave came not td1Answer qges:lons-
only to command your attend ,nce at the
palAce,' said the lieutenant. grutiiy.
"Our gracious monarch viii evidently
see you tonight" in,erposed Beleras,
who s,w the fash ofindignation in Alar-
les eye, aad feared that be might make
matters worse by giving way to hs feel
ings.
The youth saw the old mans meaning,
and he curb, his rising emotions.
Are YOU ready to So?' asked the
officer.
AT any moment
"Theu we have nothing further to de-
tain US here"
Alaric put on his cap, and as they
passed out through the narrow passage
Relerus found an opportunity to whis-
per IN his ear
..Be cautious-keep guard upon
your tongue-mention not lanthe's name
nor suffer any allusion to her to drop
from your tongue. Let US hope that the
danger is not greet
And yet there was lremulolsncss in
his tone-a terror in his very breathing
that bclied the words Of hope he spoke.
Until this moment the youth had not
felt serious alarm. but. as lie caught the
look of horror upon the honost artisan 5
face, the bolt struck to his own heart.
The gods be with thee = spoke Bel
lerus, as they reached the por h.
But Aaric made no reply. At that
moment a weighty thought was upon
him, and before he could call his senses
back for an answer he was hurried out
his side, while one Of the soldiers led the
way, and the other two fell in behind.
A variety of thoughts occupied Alar-
ic's mind as he passed on through the
narrow, dimly.lighted streets. lie re-
membered how he had seen his father
cut down, and how his brother had been
butchered; and the same bloody tyran,
Is it wonder that, with all his bravery.