Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-05-30

and the wrath of my master, Clodius.
l do not forget. can aid thee, and l
will if thy heart does not fail thee, for
! fear"
"Wilt thou indeed rescue me, and
how 2"
Ask me not, for all is not yet pre-.
pared, but if say that thy fond lover
will assist me, will not that be to thee
sufficient assurance of our ultimate
SUGGEST
Valeria's heart bounded with Joy.
She could not speak, but extended her
hand to Erusus, who kissed it humbly.
"Now, dearest lady, prepare to de-
part with me tomorrow night. When
all are hushei in slumber l 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.
Siay-behold this greeting sent by APP
Plus to thee"
Valeria was well-nigh overwhelmed
with wonder and emotion, but as she
read the tender words Of her beloved
Appius, she felt nerved to bear all dan
ger for his sake.
But, Drusus, what will be thy
fate?'
II am to accompany thee. kind
lady"
The lovely Italian sunset faded from
the sky and the moon was shining with
dazzling brightness, when Valeria com
pletcd her preparations for escape, by
concealing about her person her jewels,
many of which were of exceeding value.
At midnight Drusus appeared. She
followed him in silence, along the ST
lent corridors, through the tranquil
garden, to the sea shore. Appius re-
ceived her in his arms with transport.
Under those qniet skies, a holy priest,
the apostolic Theod osins, in few but
solemn words, united them forever.
He invoked blessing upon them, and
departed.
Now, my beloved one, we must
hasten"
But l see no bark !"
Look once again"
~ behold nothing but that light,
frail canoe. my Appius y
Yet thou wilt trust thyself within
it, for the love of me, my dear one."
They entered. Appius and Drusus
piled manfulIy the oars. They left
those fair shores far behind, but as the
hours passed on in the distance, u swift
bark is seen, rapidly coming down up
ON them. The flight had been dis.
covered.
Praise to the gods who yield these
unworthy fugitives to our pursuit,
shouted Clodius, and even Aureii n
became excited by the chase.
They neared the island of Capri. A
moment more and the Christian lovers
must be retaken, when they disappeared
before the bewildered eyes of their
pursutrs AS at that point, the islan,
rises in rocks of almost perpendicular
ahruptness from the sea, it seemed i'm
possible that they could have effected a
landlng. Clodius, however, remained
for three days On the island, searching
every part of it, but he made no dis
covery, aud concluding that the sea had
| swallowed them, he returned to Neapo-
lis, his hard heart scarcely regretting
the fate of one so young and lovely, in
his joy at seizing on Valeria's rich in.
herltauce.
And where was she? Had angels al
ready claimed one so like themselves,
for their companion? All, no! Our
fair Vuleria was passing her first bridal
days amid, perhaps, the most enchant-
lug scenes ever Witnessed by newly
welded eyes. l hardly can describe
the spot, although, in days long since
departed, gazed wonderiugly upon its
beauties, actually bewildered by its
splendid cOruscations.
| As you sail by the island of Capri, at
the distance of more than u mile from
any practicable landing place, you see
low and narrow aperture at the foot
of rock. At little distance it seems
as if bird only could fluid an entrance
there. The waves dash over it every
other moment. On q stormy day it is
not visible. You lie down with com.
panion in fairy-like canoe the boat.
man kneels you take advantage of a
retiring wave, and, 10! you enter the
now far-famed Azure Grotto! No Ara.
bian tale of enchantment ever shad wed
forth scene so dazzling. Above, be
low, around you, the light is magical
Take millions and millions of sapphires
and turquoises, condense them all, and
you may form some idea of the effec'
produced by the rays of the sun and
the reflection of the brilliant Italian
skies, cast through that narrow aper
ture within the grotto.
After your eyes become accustomed
to this light, the stupendous ceiling Of
this gigantic bath is discoverable richly
studded with stalacites. and assuming,
in consequence OF the reflection of the
transparent blue water, exactly the
same hue. This cavern contains bro
ken steps leading to subterranean
passage, the length of which is nov
unknown-owing to an impedimen,
formed by broken earth and stones
This passage probably communicated
with one of the villas of Tiberius, as il
is we'll known this remorseless empero,
passed most Of his last years on this
delicious island, abandoned to every
vice. -.., . t.
Old Drusus, being alone upon fish
ing expedition, had discovered this
wonderful spot. With the natural
craftiuess of his race, he had mentioned
it to no one, as he thought it might one
day be useful retreat for himself, fore