The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-06-07
he MORNING STAR AND MESSENGER SUNDAY JUNE 1874

Nevertheless" he quickly subjoined, "so inter-
tangled are Roman affairs that, should it evex
become known that had any part in this, I
should perish, the victim of revenge"
"They may saw me in two before they learn
it from me-" cried Josiah.
Esther said nothing, but tears streamed from
her beautiful eyes.
II know it well I know human nature
understand with whom / have to deal at one
moment, with whom at another" said Pater-
culus, taking cordial leave Of them.
That evening, in luxurious apartment at
the Prsetorian quarters, the soft-msnnerea but
dreaded commander of that force was finish
ing the current business of the day, seated be-
fore table. Pacing the room was his subor-
dinate, Velleius Paterculus. Both were in full
military costume, as we described them at the
opening of this tale. Soldiers came and went
from time to time, bearing messages and re-
ceiving orders.
"Rome," said Sejanus, ais in a wonderfully
agitated state for such tri1e but by this
time tomorrow, when it is known that this
story of some lovely young kinswoman of a
favorite among the troops having been carried
away and concealed somewhere (they have a
rumor now of the very place, that it is in the
Calpurnian house-how circumstantial we are
getting D--when it is known that this pretty
tale, I say, is all myth, the disturbance will
settle down."
Here Lygdus entered and whispered to Sc
janus, who repeated aloud:
Not to be thought of! What do yon want
with soldiers9 1t would look exceedingly ill.,"
assure you, sir" replied the caitif, every
suspicious-looking groups swarm round the
place, and all the approaches are watched in q
manner which seems exceedingly like method
and plan. AS the thing cannot be done there,
and must take the person away, I fear what
may occur"
"Nonsense!" returned Sejanus. "At all
events, I can't help you further it would be-
tray everythiug-it would defeat your own
business Better not employ you at all than
that. Why, it would just give q color to all
these silly reports. Begone! you command
your own dozen Of amiable characters in plain
clothes, who have long knives, if they have
not short swords" .
Lygdus retired, with look of fright in his
ferocious lineaments.
cha! ha !" laughed Sejanus so fly that in
the fellow who loves to be deemed afraid of
nothing. My Yelleius," added he, this is IN
ugly business. 1t would never do to let our
master 60 down. But, by the bye, you are too
squeamish; one cannot take you always into
the details of indispensable transactions"
81 am content to be ignorant of them," re-
piled the literary soldier. "But I am told
there is something 80 serious pending, that
Dionysus, the Athenian, has gone to Augustus
himself"
May all Greeks perish ~ said sejanus in a
bland voice and just then an orderly entered
and announced that messenger from the
palace of Augustus Cesar demanded to see the
Pretorian prafeot- "Admit him." quoth the
Pretorian project; and iDionysius, entering
silently and gravely, with stiff and some
what disdainful bow, handed to Sejanus a
large letter, written upon the paper used only
by the highest officials, and waited for Sejanus
to open and read it. AS the project opened it,
he held to the light seal-ring which had been
enclosed; and at sight of it he rose from his
seat at once, and perused the communication
standing. He then returned DioDysus's salu-
tation with slight touch of the Athenian's
own distance and loftiness, and said:
"My august master shall be obeyed w upon
which the Greek Withdrew without utterinp
word. When he had gone, sejanus sneered.
" Augustus is too late" he said "Lygdus is
prompt, especially when frightened"
CTo be continued.)