The Morning herald., 1878-09-21
THE AZURE GROTTO.
BY R. HAWTHOR

. WY WOil-UCiONCA "ASAA"t St-S ~
goods that am with thee once again, my
early friend, my only cousin" h & II
So spoke a dark-eyed, brilliant Roman
girl to another who embraced her tenderly.
"My Portia did not then forget me dur
ing her long absence ?"
"Oh, nevers Among all the splendors of
the court at Constantinople, amid the whis-
perings of my many lovers, at feast or ban
uuet, or when wreathed the altar OF our
gods with flowers, my heart ever turned to
thee" .a.f..y ,..> 'FiiLl.l / ..iil
T"And Clodius," my uncle, has he re-
turned to Neapolis with thee ~ gs.!uI.g.T'
"He has, Valeria, and with him my bro
ther Aurelan, thy future husband"
The delicate bloom faded from the cheek
of Valeria as she heard these words. BY q
strong effort she controlled herself, and
after pause she said
"And Rome, how looks it nows Has all
its beauty departed with it's glory ?"
"Ah, my Valeria, it seems almost de-
serted city. I marvel that Constantine
should ever have desired thus to hasten its
fall But from q Christian what might not
one expect ?"
In a darkened and luxuriant apartment
were seated the two fairgirls, and lounging
lazily, at full length upon the opposite
couch, was extended handsome, but ef-
feminite young man. 1t was Aurelian. He
was type of the falling empire. Given up
to voluptuousness and Incidence, no gener-
ous emotion ever warmed his deadened
heart.
"Loveliest Valeria," he said, "after our
bridal. thou wilt reign the very queen OF
beauty, at the court"
Valeria rose. gq..g razs uEa ~
| 20, never, Aurelian, shalt thou see that
day dawn. l love thee not. I never loved
thee" #E @ S
Aurelian absolutely sat erect with sur;
prise. 2Si 'A '..1'
"Per Baccio, but thou art mad, fail
cousin 1t would serve thee but well, that
| I should punish thy maidenly caprice, by
swearing that I will have none of thee, but
that would be too cruel" simpered the
coxcomb, as he sank slowly back upon the
soft cushions.
| .Aurelian, deceive not thyself. No forct
shall ever compel thee to be thine 1 1oV'
thee not" ru.,, rGINgN
i "But thou wilt love me when we srt
wed ," he answered, with lazy, half closed
eyes.
| 'sI love another"
i "That matters not. Thou wilt forget
like all thy SEX"
| "Aurelian, am Christian"
| At this announcement, even his selfisl
apathy gave way Tor moment.
1 f"The gods forbid" he cried, " thou
couldst not stoop 80 low as tp, hold com
mune with that accursed sect l--but an
f wrong to be so moyed.n n he added; Mwha
B matters the faith ST a weak girl, like thee
Hike thy beauty, we'll thy broad lands
better-mine thou must be. But l will
D hence to Clodius, and tell him all, that h'
8 NAV take some measure to subdue thy stut
q . born spirit" ,,
i sunk into the arms of Portia, and both wer
t bitterly.
The magnificent mansion of Clodius wa
situated In that part Of Naples that com
mands full view of its enchanting bay
Those grounds that form now the mos
!, charming public garden in the world, tn
q siVila ReAle," were once bis own. N
Z words can picture It's present loveliness,a
|" we can easily believe that In the. days
B Roman luxury its attractions must hsv
y been materially enhanced by many won
4 drous work of art.
d | Tn those moonlit gardens Valeria ha
o often W wandered with her dear lover, ,Appiu!
o He was youth of noble blood, Of splendi
+ abilities, and his possessions had pee
Ilsrge. But he was Christian, and won!
not deny his faith, SO, that when MS cousl
on some puerile Piles, COZ tended against NIL
r. for his inheritance, the unjust ministers
4 the law gladly wrested all from nina
l. which could constitute wealth, . sma
v. est ate remained to him. n @ !. q.
le Valeria was early left, wealthy orpnal
y TO the sole care and the guardianship OF ne
is uncle Clodius. He possessed Oil tne mar
n releptlessness of the old Boman characte
q with none of its redeemtng grandeur Z
spirit. He was as selfish as MS son. d d
had endeavored to seclude Valeria from u
: ewes of the world but true love Will hnds II
!. way through bolts and bars
Some weeks had passed, but valeria
constancy of purpose had ID no nanns
, abated. Her cheek was pale, ana ner swe'
eyes somewhat dim, but her nearI we
b filled with peace, and solemn la''h
God. a.,
j She was pacing her apartment late o,
evening, when she heard gsntie zap ~ u
door. .,
"Enter, If thou wilt" she said. ~
The dark. wrtnkled face of old DruSu
n her nightly jailor, presented itself.
n "Lady, may l speak with thee one Inc
| ment 2"
4 "surely, good Drusus, the sound OF 81
human voice comes sw eetly to my ear.
HDear lady, my heart has grieved ior u
sorrows. Thy good father was the kinde
4 friend and protector of my youth, ever
: |terposing between me and the wrath Of q
3 master, Clodius. do not forget, l c'
aid thee, and will, If thy heart does n