The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-02-22
From the Catholic World.
(Continued.)
CHAPTER ".


two troopers. He who had brought Tiberius
his horse rode furiously after the Caesar; the
other attended the general, who slowly mount
cd his own steed, and, pursuing the same
direction, began to trot leisurely toward
Formm. The sun had gone down the short
twilight had passed away; clouds had gath.
cred, and the moon, not having yet risen, the
RiS5t was very black. In few minutes
Seiasus siackened his horses pace from q trot
to walk, and the orderly, as his military at
tendant would in modern times be called,
nearly rode against him in the dark. The man
made some natural excuse, and fell back ag in
about thirty paces,
Sejanus hardly noticed him.
"At present" he muttered, when again
alone, "Tiberus, though y Cesar, needs me
Germanicus is Caesar too, and may become
emperor. If Germancus wished it, right or
wrong, he would win. He has much of the
genius of Caius Julius and his defect of over
trustfulness but none of his many vices.
doubt if ho will ever be emperor; he is too
Athenian, and also too honorable, too dsin-
terested. Somehow i feel too, as if he were
going to be assassinatcd; he believes readily
in men. Tiberius has smaller abilities, worse
qualities, and better chances. lie will rule
the world and 1Elius Sejanus will rule him."
As Sejanus said these things to himself in
an indistinct murmur, of which mono could
have heard the precise words, voice at his
elbow astonshed HIM. Said the voice:
"Iiow far is it, ilustrious general, to
Formim."
The prrtorian chief turned with u start, and
saw that the speaker was mounted traveller,
attended by two servants also on horseback ;
but there was so little light that he could not
distinguish the strangers features, nor more
of his dress and appointments than that they
were not, as it seemed Italian.
about five hundred paces," he answered
"However, there is no inn at Formic. Some
eight hundred PAGES from here is n coed way-
side tavern. But you call me general, for
wear tho dress. You do not, however, know
me-
"Not know tho distinguished chief of the
prTtoriansf Not know the happy and unhappy,
the fortunate and unfortunate Seianus 7"
Happy and unhappy re- echoed the latter
fortunate and unfortunate, What means this
jargon You could use that language of every
mortal. What you say you uussy"
While thus replying, no enteavored to dis
"Think you 80 7" said tho man. "Then,
pray, would it be the same if were to saw. for
example, unhappy and happy, unfortunate and
fortunate ~
eyes"
"Alas. no."
""hat" said Sejanus "The happiness is
present, the good fortune is present, but the
misfortune and unhappiness are to come. Is
this your meaning''
AS always say what mean" rejoncd the
other, I" so never explain what say"
Then at least" observed Seianus, with
great haughtiness of tone and manner. "you
will be good enough to say who You are. As
the Proctor, especially to look after foreigners
ldemand your name. Remember friend that
six lictors as well rs twenty thousand soldiers
obey Sejnnus."
am the god Iicrmes," replied the other
riding suddenly ahead, followed by both his
attendants.
The movement was 80 unexpected that the
Inquire of the stranger had become almost In
distinguishable in the obscurity, before Seianus
urged his fleet Numidian stecd forward at n
bound in pursuit.
"Take care,' said n voice in his front "tho+
your horse do not throw you, impious MANI
AT the same time, the prrtorian leader heard
something roll upon the paved road, and i'm
mediately vivid flash blazed under his horse,s
eyes, and sharp report followed. Nearly
thrown, indeed he was, as the voice had
warned him. When he had recovered his
balance and quieted the startled beast he was
riding he halted to listen; but the only sound
he could now hear was that of the mounted
trooper trotting after him along tho Appian
Way. He waited for this man to come nm.
and inquired what he had observed in the
three strangers who had previously passed
him on the road
No stranger" said the man, had passed
him: he had seen no one"
Then sejanus remembered what be had M.
OF the moment adverted to, that neither vhep
Rrst aceosted by the stranger, nor aCterward
while this person with his two attendants rods
by his side, nor finally when they all galloped
forward and were lost in the darkpess hod
any olatter of hoofs been audible.
He resumed his journey in silent thougbt
and soon arrived, without further adyeptnra
ut the large and famous post-house. standipg y
in those days four of five miles south of
Formie.
CHAPTER V.