The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-31

Auu hO ocSNh - hooU ~HS
monotoDous performance, with wbich he him
self seemed to be ravished. He Interrupted II
only to sip little wine, after which he pro
ceeded again, rocking his body in tune to his
strain, and producing over and over again
abont dozen notes always in one arrange.
| ment.
1t was a curious and fantastic scene in Is
sachar's dining-room by the dim lights of the
little lamps fer nearly an hour.
Meanwhile Esther, by the tenderest and
most soothing sympathy, had assuaged and
revived the spirits of her who was apparently
| @ prisoner to this horrible gang. Some earnest
conversation passed between the fair girls in
whispers, which ended in Esther saying
soemnly to the poor dsmsel:
"Yes, 1 promise it most sacredly: but do
not need this gold ornament; my grandfather
has money"
"Keep it for me, then" replied the other.
Chow can be sure they will not take it from
met Besides, the objects in the case will
prove to Velleius Patercnlus that your tale is
true"
"Be it So" said Esther; but now I must
at once leave you. The first requisite we'll
| as chief difficulty will be to trace you in, or
follow you now through, the immense labyrinth
of Rome. To secure this end, Measures must
be taken without the loss Of moment great
energy is needed. Trust to Esther's love and
Esther's zeal, as if Esther was your sister.
And now anger not these persons by exhibit
ing your terror and grief. Be calm, and ap-
pear, if you can, more than calm, even cheer
ful. Heaven has sent you in me and my father
friends who will watch and strive for you ont
side and who will, besides, inform your bro
Their Paulus, your uncle the triumvir, and your
well-wisher Velleius Paterculus, the powerful
tribune of the Pretorians, into what q situa-
ton you have been cruelty and violently hurl-
ed"
COB how kind, how good, how like dear
sister you are!" replied Agatha, while silent
tears streamed down her fair young face and
she pressed almost convulsively in both her
own hands the hand of the beautiful Hebrew
maiden.
away the tears with her palm, and kissing
Agatha" there, smile now; drink this wine,
and try to rest till you CO."
Aud, leaving her, she retired from the apart
ment, beck oning to her father and Issachar to
follow. Good and evil powers, angels calm
and mighty, angels fierce and terrible, were
contending now for the destruction or deliver
ance of poor little maiden, with all the wit
and all the resources at the disposal of one OF
these 10 the old Roman world, and with such
weapons as the other found it necessary to
WELD.
Josiah Maccabeus, upon learning what his
daughter had to communicate, hestated not
one moment to give up their journey to Pales-
tine in order to return to Rome and try every
means for the liberation of Agatha.
Issachar placed a small house which he pos
sessed in Rome at the disposal of his country
man, and to this house it was resolved they
would return that night. Bot the most neces.
sary operation of all, because every Interior
| measure depended upon it, was to watch and
track Agatha to the place in the enormous
| city (more populous than London is now) in
which her captors should lodge her. Without
q knowledge of this spot, nothing could be
accomplished, either by fair means, or by con-
trivance, or by force-shouid force become
possible under any circumstances.
For any of the friends then holding council
to follow the carriage with its escort of four
horsemen would be to throw away the last
chance. The pursuer would be remarked. Is.
saohar had in bis service an active intelligent
and Trustworthy Hebrew lad, generally en-
ployed by him out of doors and on errands be.
tween the great city and the lonely house
where he lived. This lad now received his
orders, and set forward ward Rono, riding a
mule bare backed, and with a wallet contain.
ing few refreshments siupg round his neck
He had perhaps half an hours start wher
Lygdus was informed that q new horse, in lier
of the lame one, was harnessed to the carriage
that all the others had received feed, and
that every thing was in readiness. He there
upon nodded, drew a final wailiug from hit
flute, flung down that instrument, sprang t.
his feet, collected his party, and without
thanking Issachar for the hospitality upor
which he had made SO considerable an inroad
departed uttering curses similar in number
and gravity to those with which he had called
| q halt.
Josiah Maccabeus and Esther allowed ar
hour to pass, and then, ascending a car
risge of old Issachar's, drove back to Rome
to the small house already mentioned as the