The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-11-15
MISCELLANY.
" 70 THE LIoNs.o


MARTYR STORY OF OLD ROME.
The palace of Aurelian was filled with
guests. He entertained the most noble and
the most beautiful in Rome. They reclined
around a table which was sumptuously spread,
and ate dainty of rich viands, served by hand
some slaves. Their garments were silken,--
Their jewels glittered as they moved They
conversed and laughed in silver accents they
quaffed strong wine from golden cups and
through the open windows came the sound of
their revelry, the light of the lamps, and the
fragrance of the flowers which crowned their
heads. ~
There came lull, aud then, as If watching
for the moment, from between the brocaded
curtains appeared the dancing girls. They
gyrated into the space which had been pre-
pared for them, and with graceful evolutions
shook their tambourines. The belts on their
armlets and ankles jingled in harmony, their
wells circled like mist about their light figures
and they seemed as If rising out of white
clouds when they paused, Poised on the tips
of their toes. with their Instruments held
high above their heads, they heard the ap
plause which approved their skill.
Then the Emperor beckoned the chief dane
er to his side. She approached modestly, half
concealing her face with her veil, her large
dark eyes sparkling, her cheeks glowing with
the exercise. Her profession did not make
her forward and bold. Her gifts were used
simply to support her family and although
she was the most popular dancer in Imperial
Rome commendation passed by her like a
breath of wind. She priced It only for the
sake of those she loved. 1t gave her the
means of serving them. The Emperor offer
ed her a cup. 1t was filed with red wine and
pieces of gold.
Drink" said he, "to the gods. They
have endowed thee we'll /; and we will join thee
in the toast"
their cups--all save one, serious and beau
tiful woman, who sat ON the right side of the
imperial seat; but she stood up with the rest,
as IL she expected the omission to pass unno-
ticed.
Aurelian turned toward her. " Fair lady,"
said he, edo you pledge the deities with an
empty cup?"
She blushed deeply, and looked at him with
pleading expression in her eyes, which said
plainly, .Ask me no questions now.''
The Emperor frowned. He had heard ru-
mors Of her which had offended him. Would
she confirm them by her silence ? "Speak I"
he exclaimed, authoratively /; will you not
drink to the gods?"
CLOVER thine ear pray thee !" was the
murmured reply. And Aurelian did as he was
asked.
Then whispered the lady, In low, sweet
voice. "Imperial cousin, I am Christian ;
cannot drink to false gods" And only the
dancing girl overheard what she had said.
Uttering an angry oath, the Emperor letthe
cup in his hand fall to the ground and three
days later there foated on the Tiber beauti-
full woman with her hands folded on her
breast, her face calm in death. The Emper-
or was determined to exterminate the Christ
ians and ERE strike Others said he, ''it
behooves me to icprove my own.'
The moonlight tipped with silver every pin
nacle and roof. 1t slanted across the street,
cleaning OH the statues it flooded the ter
races it lifted itself to the lattices, and peep
ed at those within.
Sleep was abroad, but his pinions were new
or wide enough to overshadow every man, wo-
man and child, and tonight Leila the dancer
was of the number who kept enforced vigil.
She sat at the window, full of thought.
That evening she had danced at nobleman's
where the martyrdom of the Emperor's beau
tiful relative had been freely discussed. Much
was said about her faith and obstinacy, but
the heroism with which she had met her fate
had been spoken of with wonder and admira-
ton. According to the account, she had gone
to death as calmly as she had gone to her last
banquet at the palace, and she had breathed
her last declaring her murderers knew not
what they did-praying that they might find
the peace which had made her departure easy
and blessed.
"There must be something in this Christian
faith" thought Leila, " to induce people to
suffer excruciating torture and death rather
than give it up. I wonder what makes il
more desirable than riches, honor, titles, and
all the gifts Of this world"
Before she slept the dancer had determined
to find out the secret.
1t was rumored that measures against the
Christians had been resolved upon by the En-
peror, and were soon to be put in force. r.
Throughout the city there spread a strange
silence and gloom. The people seemed to ex
=. d. 81 III