The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-06-07
ID [ O N
T II E S l B Y L S
4 CLASSIC, CHRISTIAN NOVEL,
MILES GERALD KEoN,
Author of " Harding, the Money.spinner." etc.
From the Catholic World
(Continued.)
PART III.
CHATTER YvII
a CLASSIC, CHRISTIAN NOVEL,
CHAPTER XVII.
AND

| 1t was the frat fresh hour after SUNRISE
about ten miles north of Rome. Thelius had
! taken the bride Of the Sejan stesd from Philip
the freedman, declaring he felt disposed FOE O
ride, only he feared, upon that beasts back, it
would be q short one, when Paulus himself,
who had made his litter bearers stand and let
him ont, overlook them, and, pointing to the
white arches of an aqueduct which Spawned
| the road little way in front, exclaimed:
Friend Thellus, feel though I were
stronger than before my wounds. l will mount
my tawny slave here, the Sejan horse. You
see we are close to Rome gather all these hne
fellows, these brave soldiers, in order of
march, who SO faithfully stood by me in the
hours of suffering; We will enter tho city in
military fashion"
Mounting the bank at the roadside, lie lespt
from it upon sejanus. The great steed, after
his wont, stood still, as if electrified, aud then
bounded into the air. This was enough to tell
him who the rider was and, thereafter, he
paced forward with q grave, steady, and
mighty subsequently, docile, and proud Of
what he carried. In front, moving at an easy
pace, was the carriage of Dionysius, in which
the Lady Aglais travelled and ahead of this
again was the smaller vehicle containing
Dionysius himself. Paulus rode, for O while
by the side of his mothers carriage converting
about Agatha, aud arranging that, the very
moment he should have reported himself to
Germanicus, they would start together for
Monte Circello, and joyfully surprise Agatha
by appearing unannounced. He then spurred
forward, and in like manner accompanied the
vehicle of Dionysius, expatiating on this
pleasant little plan with immense zest, and
fba to rv;fh
Dionysius, however, entertained certain fears
and anxieties concerning Agatha which, at
such q moment especially, he could not find it
in his heart to mention to so affectionate q
brother. This was tho fairest and happiest
time Paulus had ever known; single word, n
mere hint, would suffice to change all that
mental sunshine into darkness aud storms.
The-Greek affected to consider the in wit alton
and Paulus, refining in his horse, waited for his
mothers carriage in order to inform her ; but
when it rolled abreast of him, he caught her
in tears.
She had been musing over those words of
the sibyl--" The liOnes0 has lost her ,1heIp, and
not oil the porcr Of Cesar can keep the prey'-and
remembering the venerable womans command
to haste to Rome, and her prediction that on
tho way thither more would be learnt, not q
bird had flown by without startling the lady,
until, at last, her concealed anxiety overcame
her hTmness. At Paulns's look of aStonsh-
mont and distress she smiled, and made some
excuse. PAuIus determined to call a halt of
half an hour or more, and take breakfast in &
neigh boring grove Of eIms and sycamore trees
not far from the bighwsy, in the very centr.
of which grove was = we'll, overlooking into a
tiny brook upon n graveIly bed. L. q
pretty place, with . fretVOrk of shade and
morning light adOrniDg the turf under the
bOughs. Cushions were soon arranged by the
sOldieEs, who, retiring to the roadside. initiated
the example of their superios. in q ruder
fashion, aud pArtook of less delicate fare.
Tbus were they engaged. when, along the
ct aiGht road, lOoNing email 10 the distance,
come sort Of OOnVsyanse WAS seaE apppOaching
There are queries which Besn Toe trivial to be
asked in words By any person of any OthsE
person, but which each person aSks himself in
thought: such a. was the query which Me
soldiers by the UaySidO, noW lssily watching
this vehicle rolling toward them, were ell pro-