The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-03
ALARIC:
THE TYRANTS V4ULT
A SICILIAN STORY OF EARLY TINES.

CHAPTER II-CoNrNuED.
Aths uncture Bellerus returned in haste, and there
was look of trouble his brow He closed the door
behind him; and then turned towards our hero
"Aaric he said, evidently striving to assume calm
which he did not feel ''have you any sup
pose that your into tine city this evening par
ticularly notced?''
Why DO you ask? " demanded the youth.
''I'l tell you answered Beerus. II have just come
from the iun Temple of DIANA where overheard
conversation between two soldiers who had just
upon the coast this morning, and that
landed from her also made out from their conversations
that the king had been informed of the fact and that he
had given orders that every who entered the
should be watched and intelligence of his whereabouts
conveyed to him
Then may assured that have been followed said
hero; for suspected it while my way hither.'
And if such be the case, said Bellerus, 1--WE shall hear
from it,
But before wait for that we'll take steps of
own, cried laEthe. Some safe hidng-pace must
be found -
Aaric was upon the point of speaking when loud
knocking heard without and voice demanded en-
trance in the name of the king.
ely ny!' cried Ianhe, scizng her lover by the
Hold, spoke Reerus, who became calm in the pres
of this necessity. IF he flies he will escape
for our house NAV watched upon all hands and If he
caught in the act Of eeing deeper and deadly
picon may faSten upon him
Another laundering knock heard and Belerus
started towards the door.
I'VE must meet it now he said, 'though wish had
known your coming had been noticed Ianhe, you had
better withdraw.
Not while-n
Aye added the youth, leading her towards the inner
court, do as he bids you. shall be safe enough. At
all events, I will see you again.
He kissed her and blessed her and she passed from the
just 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 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 a few moments more Beerus returned and with him
came four soldiers. They stout hard looking men,
whose hearts performed other Office than furnish
them with animal life that they might do the bidding of
their master One who the uniform of lieutenant,
from his companions and gazed into heros
face
You entered the city this evening? " he said
Alaric hesated for a moment, but during that short
moment his mind made mp. He quickly judged that
any fasehood might only jure him and he resolved to
tell the whole truth.
II did, he answered
And you landed from Greek vessel this morning."
Then you will 90 with us to the royal palace
But why is this ?"
Because the king has commandedD
''Shall see him to night?'' -
We came not to answer questiOns-ony to command
your attendance at the palace" said the lieutenant
gruhiy.
Our gracious monarch will evidently see you tonight
interposed Beerus, who the fash of Indignation in
Aarics eye, and feared that he might make matters
worse by giving way to his feelings
The youth saw the old mans meaning, and he curbed
his rising emotions
''Arc you ready to 90 ?" asked the officer
AT any moment
detaIn
Alarc put on his cap, and they passed through
the narrow passage Bellerus found opportunity whs
per it his
BE cautious-keep guard upon your tongue--men-
ton not lanthcs name suffer any ausOn to her to
drop from tongue Let hope that tine danger is
great
and yet there was tremuousness in his ter
ror in his very belied the words of hope
riou alarm but he caught the look horror upon
honest artisans face, the bolt struck to his heart
The gods be with thee" spoke Bellerus, they
reached the porch
But Alarc made reply. At that moment weghty
thought upon him and before he could call his
officer walked by his side while the soldiers led
way, and the other two fell in behind
variety of thoughts occupied Alarc'S mind he
passed on through the narrow, dmly lighted streets. He
remembered how he had his father down. and
how his brother had been butcered and the bloody
tFiant who had done it had now sent for him. Is it
wonder that, with all his bravery the youth felt cold
chill creeping about his heart he approached the lair of
the remorseless monarch?
CHAPTER III.
DARKNESS AND DOOM.
Pyrho, king of Sicily upon his throne of gold and
precious and about him were few of the hardened
cruel, subservent men whom he dared He
face broad and brutal in its expression and strongly
marked by dissipation and debauchery. If he had
possessed the assurance of brave man. he had lost it
now, aud his only hopes of safety in the willing
swords about him and in the which his cruelty in
spred The light from three huge chandeliers of massive
gold cast strange lustre the large aparment-the
beams being here reflected from polished mirrors there
from pillars of marble and porphyry; and taking
deeper hues from the gaudy tapresy that hung upon the
walls.
u would like to know who this stranger be- said
the monarch turning to his chamberlain. ''Ah here
comes the lieutenant We sha Il see"
There was a movement among the guard at the lower
end of the chamber presently an officer approached
the throne leading Alaric by the arm.
as he unarmed?n the king cried, as his eye rested
upon the youths tall and sinnewy frame
'Ie is, sire. We found only simple upon him,
and that We took from him.
contemptnous look overspread the youths face as he
f1,,,Sf
upon the features of the tyran who had his loved
kindred expression of deadly hate swept his
bic brow, and keen fire burned in his dark eye.
1e gods gasped the king, as he caught a full view
OF the youths face with this deep expression from his
soGl upon it, "what have we here? Come nearer.
guard him well. Who art thou?
Had the sword of death been that moment suspended
over our hero's head and ready to fall at breath, he
could rot nave curbed the emotions that swelled in his
soul In all his nature there principle incen-
tive that could lead him to bow and crnge before
whom he so utterly deSpsed and deteSted 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 DONE and he allowed
his soul to have full sway.
II am Alarc, he answered. looking full into Pyrrhos
face.
''-flcric! Aldric! What Alaric art thou?n
Hold sire, neposed the chamberlain, who had been
regarding the youth narrowly, Methink thou shouldst
know that face. He is the son of Orneus.'
"lla, Now by the gods, know him " cried the king,
starting up in his seat but quickly sinking back again
Art thon the son of the patrcian Orneus -
when my noble father lived was his son. the priso
ncr replied.
And when your noble father died fed from the
country" said the monarch, with sarcastic emphasis
the words he had youths speech.
Il did fee,' was the reply.
And have you been absent ever since? ?"
'Where?"
why hast thou returned now?'
"To see the land of my BIRTH
"Who came with thee ~
81 landed alone upon these shores your majesty and
had no thought but to find friend and them if need be-
to leave the country again.
And rhpt in f-inr 4
"A bosom friend of my early youth, whose influence
tends not beyond the walls of her home"
AHA female, eh?
Yes"
''And lives she with the artisan Bellerus
Il went there to seek her. -
And there You found herr
81 heard of her there"
"Answer me! " cried the king in avoce of rage. "By
the sacred OF Jupiter thou hast better bite of thine
own head than answer again thou hast Who
is the maiden thou hast come seek 20
larlc hesiated ere he replied to this He membered
the warning he had received from Belerus he began
to feel that he had been rash in his speech But he
had choice now. If he refused to answer the king
could easily send to the dwelling of the mason and thus
matters might be only made worse.
"She is the daughter of Belerus,' he finally said.
The monarch gazed into the youths face for
ments without speaking There was a look of deadly
meaning upon his hard features and his fingers moved
nervousy his knees. At length he turned his
chamberlain. and said
This is curious freak of circumstance. But the
S''lIs man 10 he stIdhger III our city 'auu We must
provide for hm-at least for awhile" Then turning to
Alaric he added:
"Since have had thee brought hiher against thy WILL
thou shalt be provided for during the night
Il can easily provide for myself, sire.'
"Aye-but do not choose that thou shouldst be put
to that Inconvenience We have room enough, and to
spare; and it will afford qualification know that
thou art cared for
Alaric could not mistake the meaning Of these words
The look which accompanied them sufficient key
their import But he could do nothing help him
self He could only circumstances as they should
present themselves.
The king called of his officers his side and whis-
perd something into his and then turned
to the youth.
at is waxing late and all have need of rest
lie said $50 thou shalt be conducted aace of safety
until the morrow
''But, SIRE nterposed hero, "why should you
keep me here tonight? can be found when you want
me-
I'VE are not so sure Of that But it is our will that you
remain Nippon, you viii conduct him to q place of
and report to me when thou hast done it,"
The man thus addressed approached hero and placed
his hand upon his
Come he said.
Alaric started he heard the tones of that voice. for
they sounded like a kne The word was spoken as
speaks one who leads guest to quiet chamber.
"Go with him. spoke the king
Alaric turned and led in an ante-room his
conductor was Joined by four dark, sinister looking
walters upon king and then was seized by both his
arms, and hurried on through vaulted passage to dim
lyghted corridor. Presently the officer who Hip
pom, the jailer stopped deep niche where guard
was posted and procured torch by the glarng light of
which he led on once more.
On, through dark and narrow passages-and down.
down. down. long and steep starways. the youth led
and when his conductors finally stopped Nippon opened
door of solid metal which swung out from Jagged wall,
and the prisoner forced roughly in and the massive
door was closed 1t was shut with dull heavy sound
the reverberaons being drunk up by the solid walls as
they fell the air-and