The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-02-08
elornine Star and Catholic Messenger.
nxw ORLEANS, SUNDAY FEBRUARY g. 1874.

n NEW ORLEANS. SUNDAY, FEBRuAhf c. io''
Continued FROM first paGe)
: open but thoughtful face. and an opeei'"i
eye. He il was who had ridden to inc iroht'
and given those orders the execution OF winch
we have noticed. He had now returned, ana
kent his horse n neck or so behind that OF an
- officer far more spiendidiy attred, who seemed
to pay no attention whatever to the little OPP
Grafton that had occurred, but, shading DIS
eyes with ono hand from the rays of the set
ting sun, gazed over the fields toward the villa
or mansion on tho Liris.
uo was clad in the long scarlet cloak OF a
general, the borders being deeply fringed WITH
twice-dyed Tyrian purple, the long folds OF
which flowed his chargers haunches
This magnificent mantle was buckled round
the wearer's neck with jewel. His corselet'
unlike that Of the colo mel, or tribune already
mentioned, was Of plate steel (instead OF rings)
pnd shone like a looking glass, except "hero
il was inlaid with broad lines of gold lie
wore chain of twisted gold round his neck,
and his belt as we'll az the hilt Of his sword,
which remained undrawn by his side in sii
yer scabbard, glittered with sardonyx ana
Jasper stones. lie had no tunc. His gloves
hnppepng like those of his subordinate to DC
thrust into the belt round his waist, left Vsi-
Bile q pair of hands white and delicate as TO
be almost efleminate. His helmet was thin
steel, and tue crest was surnlounted by pro-
fuse plume of scarlet cocks feathers. But
perhaps the most curious particular OF his Co.'S
tune was pair Of shoes or half-boots of red
leather, the points of the. toes turned upward.
These boots were cncrusted with gems, which
formed the patrcan crescent, or letter &, on
the top of each foot, and then wandered into
auciful traccry of sparkles up the leg. The
stirrups, in which his feet rested, were either
of gold or gilt.
The conntenancc of the evidently important
personace whose dress has been stated, was
remarkable. lie had regular features, n hand
come straight nose, eyes half closed with what
seemed at frat languid look, but yet look
which, if observed more closely, was almost
startling from the extreme attention it evinced,
and from tho contrast between such ex-
preston and the indolent Indifference su-
percliousnoss upon the surface, if may 30
say, Of the physiognomy. There was something
sinister and cruel about the mouth lie wore
no whskcrs or beard, but black, carefully
trimmed inoustache.
After steady gaze across the fields in the
direction we have already more than once
mentioned, he half turned his head toward the
tribune, and at the same time, pointing to our
travellers, said something. The tribune, in his
turn addressed the first centurion, an officer
whose sword like that of the legatus, was un
drawn, but who carried in his right hand a
thin wand made of vine wood. In IN inst ant
this officer turned his horses head and trotted
smartly toward our travellers, upon reaching
whom he addressed Paulus thus:
Toll me, pray you, have you been lonl
heref"
"Not quarter of an hour" answered Pau
lus, wondering why such question was asked
And have any persons passed into tho roat
by this pathway" the centurion then inquired
Not since we came" said Paulus.
The officer thanked him and trotted back.
(To be continued)