The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-02-15


bis right; otherwise perfectly still, his hant
: some face, cruel mouth, and intelligent eye
o all alive with the keenest attention.
n And the destination to which you allud
n is-f" pursued the man in black purple
q Formin," said Paulus.
= "What relation or kinship exists betwee
l you and Marcus Emilius Lepidns. formerly tn
triumvir, who still enjoys the life which h
owes to tho clemency of Augustus
| Paulus hesitated. When he had given hi
name, the younger of the two ladies had raise
herself suddenly in the litter of ivory an,
gold, and fastened upon him a searching gaze
which she had not since removed. The othe
lady had also at that instant looked at hin
hxedly. We have already stated that. wheI
sejanus approached the group, he had no
deigned in any very cordial manner to salut,
or notice the second of the two gentlemen who
| had accompanied tho filters on foot. This
| gentleman was very sallow, had hollow eyes
and habit of gnawng his under lip between
his teeth. He had unbuckled his sword and
had given it. calling out, "Lygdus carry this, >
to man with an exceedingly sinister and re,
pulsive countenance. The man in question
had now taken step or two forward and was
1
Cesar, his shoulders STOPPING, his neck bent
forward, his eyes without any motion of the
head rolling necessarily from person to person
and face to face, but at once falling before
and avoiding any glance which happened to
meet his. He looked askant and furtively at
every object with an eager Unhappy, and ma
!ign expression. Paulus did not need to turn
his head to feel that this man was now intently
peering at him. Behind the two courtly pal
anquins, and beyond the shade of the trees,
WAS third litter still moro costly, being COW
cred in parts with plate gold. Here sat
woman with o face as white as alabaster, and
large prominent black eyes watching the
scene, and apparently trying to catch every
word that was said.
Paulus, rs We have observed, hesitated, The
training of youth in the days of classic anti
guilty soon oblterated the inferiorty of un-
reasoning, nervous shyness But the strange
catechism which Paulus was now UNDERGOING.
with all this gaze upon him from so many eyes.
began to be q nuisance, and to tell upon
spirit singularly high.
"Hsve you heard my question ?" Incurred
Tfberius.
a. have heard it," replied Paulus; "apd
have heard and answered several others, with |
out knowing who he is that asks them How
ever, the former triumvir, now living at |
Circmi, about forty thousand PAGES from here.
is my fathers BROTHER"
When Paulus had given his last answer the
ladies glanced at each other, and the younger
looked long and hard at Tiberius. Getting some
signal from him, she threw herself
back in her palanquin and smiled nleaningly
ut the STOPPING, sinisterficed man, who had
stationed himself in the manner already men
toned near Paulus's left hand.
e" Your father" rejoined Tiberius, aftor a
pause, was very distinguished soldier, and,
rs always heard when boy, he contributed
eminently to the victory of Philippi. But
knew not that he had children and, moreover.
was he not slain, pray, at Philppi, toward the
,nd of the battle which he certainly belned
to gain"
81 hope" said Paulus, somewhat softened bv
he praise of his father, ~ hope that Angus
us supposed him to have died of his wounds
md that it was only under this delusion be
ave our estates-which were situated some
where in this verg province OF Campania, with
noble mansion like the castellum upon the
lver yonder-to that brave and able soldier
SrlppA fespaSl2nuS."
At this name deep red flu sh overspread the
row of Tiberus, and Paulus innocently pro-
eeded.
Certainly, the noble Agrippa, who was to
ave been CDsar, had he Iivod, never would
ave accepted 80 unfair a bounty had he known
nat my father really survived his wounds, Init
of tho generosity, or rather
of the equity of Augustus he was
wing melancholy, exheridated exile. near
hat very battle field of Philippi, in Thrace.
here he had fought SO we'll and had been left
,r dead"
Z" You dare to term the act of Augustine
owly said the man in the gore. colored purple
Ioak, " 50 unfair a bounty, and Augustus hna-
IF u"gencro"s, or rather unjuSt?"
At this terrible rejoinder from such a man.
ne down-looking person whom we have mem
oned, passed his right hand stealthily to the
lit of the sword which he was carrying for
is master, and half drew it. Paulus, who for
ome time had had this person standing at his
ut, could observe the action without turning
Is head. He was perfectly aware, moreover,
hat, should the Othar draw 10 ,voo.a. |