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

The Azure GroltO.
MY well-beloved Valera, I thank
the gods that l am with thee once
again, my early friend, my only
cousin"
So spoke a dark.eyed, brilliant Ro-
man girl to another who embraced her
tenderly.
MY Portia did not then forget me
during her long absence?'
ooh, never! Among all the splen-
doris of the court of Constantinople,
amid the whisperings of my many low
ers, at feast or banquet, or when
wreathed the altar Of our gods with
flowers, my heart ever turnea to thee. "
And Clodius, my uncle, has he re-
turned to Neapolis with thee -.
he las, Valera, and with him my
brother Aurelian, thy future husband. ="
The delicate bloom failed from the
cheek of Valeria as she heard these
words. BY strong effort she controlled
herself, aud after pause, she said
"And Rome, how looks it now? Has
all its beauty departed with its glory 2"
"Ah, my Valeria, it seems almost u
deserted city. l marvel that Constan.
tine should ever have desired thus to
hasten its fall But from Christian
what might not one expect? q
In a darkened and luxurious apart.
ment we're seated the two fair girls,
and lounging luzily, at full length, up.
on an opposite couch, was extended a
handsome but effeminate young man.
1t was Aurelian. He was type of the
fallen empire. Given up to voluptu-
BUSINESS aud Incidence, no generous
emotion ever warmed his deadened
heart.
"Lovliest Valeria," be said, latter
our bridal, tnou wilt reign the very
queen OF beauty at the court"
Valera rose.
80, never, Aurelian, shalt thou see
that day dawn. l love thee not. 1
never loved thee
Aurelian absolutely sat erect with
surprise.
" Per Baccio, but thou art mad, fair
cousin 1t would serve thee but we'll,
that should punish thy maidenly ca
price, by swearing that will have none
OF thee. but that would be too cruel, ;
slmpered the coxcomb, as he sank slow
ly back upon the soft cushions.
Aurellan, deceive not myself. No
force shall ever compel me to be thine!
love thee not"
But thou wilt love me when we are
We'd" he answered. with lazy eyes,
half-closed.
:" l love another"
"That matters not. Thou wilt for
get, like all thy SEX"
Aurelian, l am Christian!'
At this announcement, even his self
ish apathy for moment gave way.
"The gods forbid. he cried. "Thou
couldst not stoop SO low as to hold
commune with that accursed sect -
but l am wrong to be SO moved" he
added "what matters the fancied
faith of weak girl, like thee? I like
thy beauty, well /; thy broad lands,
determine thou must be. But will
hence to Clodius, and tell him all, that
he may take some measure to subdue
thy stubborn spirit"
He sauntered from the room. Valeria
sunk into the arms of Portia, and both
wept bitterly. ..., ....
The magnificent palace of Clodius
was situated in that part of Naples that
commands full view of its enchanting
bay. Those grounds, that form now
the most charming public garden in
the world, the villa Reale." were
once his own. No words can picture
its present lovliness. and we can easily
believe that in the days of Roman lux
ury its attractions must have been ma.
terially enhanced by many wondrous
works of sculptured art.
In these moonlit gardens Valera had
often wandered with her dear lover
Appius. He was o youth of noble
blood, Of splendid abilities, and his
possessions had been large. But he
was Christian, and he would not deny
his faith, SO that, when his cousin, on
some puerile plea, commended against
him TOR his Inheritance, the unjus,
ministers of the law gladly wrested all
from him-all which could constitute
wealth; small estate remained te
him. .r f..+ ~. .
Valera was early left, a wealthy or
phan, to the sole care and guardianship
OF her Uncle Clodius. He possessed
all the hard relentlessness Of the ole
Roman character, with none of its re
deeming grandeur of spirit. He wa.
as selfish as his son. He had endeavor
ed to seclude Valeria from the eyes O
the world, but true love will find it.
way through bolts and bars.
- ~ 'F
Some weeks had passed, but Valera
consistency of purpose had in no name
abated. Her cheek was pale, and he
sweet *eyes somewhat dim, but he
heart was filled with peace and q sol
emn faith in God.
She was pacing her apartment, lat,
one evening, when she heard gentle
Enter if thou wilt" she said.
Tie dark, wrinkled face of old Dru
sus. her nightly jailor, presented il
self. ..f
" Lady. may I speak with you ont
moment ?" Htt 'n'' 'aI'
= Surely, good Drusus. Tie SOUND
OF any luman, voice CONES sweetly Il
my ear" -' '