The Morning herald., 1878-09-21
nWilt thou indeed rescue me; and how y,

"Wilt thou indeed rescue me; and how ~
"Ask me not, for all Is not yet prepared,
but If say thy fond lover will assist me,
will not that be to thee sufficient assura
ance of our ultimate successp 1iy .,, y. ..5.r
Valeria's heart bounded with joy. She
could not speak, but extended her hand to
Drusus, who kissed 1t humbly.
Now, dearest lady, prepare to depart
with me Tomorrow night. When all are
hushed in slumber will guide thee forth.
A bark will await thee. A minister of thy
faith will unite thee to thy lover, and thou
canst seek with him the shores of Greece
and happier days. Stay-behold this greet
ing sent by Appius to thee" ...
Valaria was wel-nigh overcome with
wonder and emotion, but as she read the
tender words OF her beloved Appius, she
felt nerved to bear all dangers for his
sake. ..- ..1.y...
"But, Drusus, what will be thy fate 2"
III am to accompany thee, kind lady,"
The lovely Italian sunset faded from the
sky and the moon was shining with daz-
zling brightness, when Valeria completed
her preparations for escape, by concealing
about her person her jewelry, many OF
which were of exceeding value. At MIDI
night Drusus appeared. She followed him
10 silence, alongthe silent corridors, through
the silent gardens to the sea shore. Appius
received her In his arms with transport.
Under those quiet skies, q holy priest. the
apostolic gheodosies, in few, but silent
words united them forever. He invoked
blessing uIon them, and departed.
"Now, my beloved one, we must hasten"
"But zee no bark"
"Look once again."
81 behold nothing but that light, frail
canoe, my Appius." 4 ,.D..
"Yet thou wilt trust thyself within It, for
the love of me, my dear one."
They entered. Appius and Drusus piled
manfully the oars. They left those fair
shores far behind, but as the hours passed
on In the distance, swift bark is eeen, rap
idly coming down upon them. Their flight
had been discovered. u 81
"Praise to the gods who yield these un-
| worthy fugitives to our pursuit." shoutud
| Clodius, and even Aurelian became excited
by the chase.
They peared the island of Capri. A mo-
ment more and the Christian lovers must
be retaken, when they disappeared before
the bewildered eyes OF their pursuers Al
at that point the island rises in rocks OF
almost perpendicular abruptness from the
sea 1t seemed impossible they could have
effected landing. Clodius, however, re-
mained for three days on the island, search
ing every part of It, but he made no dis
coyery, and concluding that the sea had
swallowed them, he returned to Neapolis,
his hard heart scarcely regretting the fate
of one SO young and lovely, in his JOY at
sezing on V4leria's rich inheritance.
/ And where was she Had angels already
claimed one 80 like themselves, for theil
companiong Ah, no! Our fair Valeria
| was passing her first bridal days mid, per
haps, the most enchanting scenes ever wit.
messed by newly welded eyes. hardly car
describe the spot, although In days Ions
since departed, gazed wonderingly upol
\ It's beauties, actually bewildered by 1T
splendid coruscations.
| AS you sail by the islaud Of Capri, at th
distance of more than mile from any prac
I'll ticable landing place, you see narrow ap
erture at the foot of q rock. At q littl
Idistance 1t seems as If bird only coult
4 find an entrance there. The waves dasl
over 1t every other moment. Ona storm
day 1t is not,visible. You lie down with
companion 10 fairy like canoe; the boat
nan kneels; you take advantage OF Q re
tiring wave, and 10 you enter the far
. fan ell Azure Gr0ttO No Arabian tale
enchantment ever shadowed forth seem
! 50 dazzling. Above, below, around you
! the light is magical, Take millions o.
milllo;s of fEsapphires and turquoises, cor
, dense them all and you may form SON
idea of the effect produced by the rays {
The sun and the reflection of the beautifu
Italian skies, cast through that narrow ap
erture within the grotto.
After your eyes become accustomed 7
this light the stupendous ceiling OF thi
|, gigantic bath is discoverable richly studde
with stalacites ndlassuming IN consequence
of she reflection of the transparent blu
WI ater, exactly the same hue. This caver
contains broken steps leading to o subter
1 lranean passage, the length OF which Is no'
unknown-owiug to an impediment forme
by broken earth and stones. This passag
i probably communicated with one OF th
a villas of Tiberius, as 1t is we'll kroWn ths
! this remorseless emperor passed most
his last years on this delicious island, abaI
a doned to every vice.
Il Old Drasus, being one day alone upon
fishing expedition. had discovered IN
n wonderful spot. With the natural craft
a ness of his race, he had mentioned it to 4
! one, as he thought It might one day be
;. usefulrereat for himself, foreseing mol
Il cruel master than Clodius in the youn
q Aurelian. Feigning Illness, he, in conce
o with Appius had stored the grotto WI
4 abundant, torches--for, OF course, the gloi
# OF the grotto fades With; the day-and wit
,e provisions sufficient for many days: 10
NAV be su the most delicious fruits WEI
there, and that no bridal bower was ey'
d hung with fairer garlands Of flowers. A
terw ard they fed to Greece. .
d When 10 his youth the brave but btgote
n Julian was slain-when the seven month
n reign of Jovisn was oyer-Valentinian Q
N cendea the throne, Christianity was new
y persecuted more. In the light Of the
i happier days, they returned 70 Italy, and !,
Il their restored worldly possessions, ~ y
il example Of their lovely and virtuous 1--WE
and in their perfect domestic happiness, o.
, Christian lovers exhibited d striking illu
), tration Of the triumph of faith ';s''3 .s'.
= -..,,y .----~.s------------. 80 .rE ilGa