Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-10-28

| her cnarlnS.
Nonsense, Justus! Do you think me
so vain rs to be caught by such rhapsodies
my good couslon3 Keep your fine speeches
for finer ladies than l."
! When Justus and Theodore entered the
reception chamber of the Empress, Eikasia
was already there. She was dressed mag
nitiCently IN a rich green robe, embroidered
with gold stars. On her head she wore a
coronet composed of gold and emeralds
Her train was three yards in length, and
was of white Persian silk, bordered with
gold stars ON green ground. A broad
girdle, in which gold was curiously inter
woven, confined her loose robe in folds
around her waist and a chain of emeralds
dropped from her white throat, setting off
its exquisite fairness A pale, olive hue
was family lighted up with a struggling
crimson, but ii was the eyes that lighted
up the wondrous-the deep, passionate
eyes, whose glanCss seemed absolute 10 burn
with the fires of the spirit within. The
long lashes that shaded them rested on the
cheek; and the dark eyebrows were
penciled SO evenly that every hair lay in its
own place, and seemed rs if it could not be
spared from the general effect.
Elkasia's hair was of that peculiar tint
of purplish black that is at once 50 rare and
beautiful; and, unlike Theodora's she
wore it in long curls, that fell over her
face, partially concealing the passionate
look that sometimes wellcd out from the
very soul in moments of her intense en-
thusiasm.
Won by that lDOk--for she wore it now
"A person, entering the room, walked
slowly past the others who were standing
in groups, or reclining on seats about the
apartments, and stayed his footsteps only
when he reached the spot where she was
standing.
Addressing her in the grave and senten-
tious tone of the period, he said, "Women
is the source of evil.
Her quick eye caught sight of the golden
apple. She OWNED Immediately the cause
OF this, and the use to which he was to ap-
| ply it, and her dark eyes glstened with a
proud yet happy expression as SHE quickly
answered. But woman is also the source
of much good"
She turned aside to speak to Theodore,
but her words were bitter and sarcastic now
| for there was an air of sweetness and
purity in Theodoras face, that contrasted
with her own passionate nature, The En-
peror, who saw it, too, was disenChanted
in moment. All her beauty faded from
before his sight, and he turned away dis
enthralled.
What was it! Did her tones Jar upon
his nerves or was he attracted TO the other
maiden, whose blushing cheek attested her
mOdesty, and whose sparkling eyes pro-
claimed her intellectually Who knows,
save by what followed2 The apple quiv-
cred in his hand. lie advanced-stopped
went on, in Corporal Trims old fashion,
hundreds of years afterward, and placed
the bright, shining fruit in the hand Of the
fair Theodore!
| Never before had such blow fallen on
the self-complacency of Eikasia- The
words died on her lips, and the tears forced
themselves into those large, black 0rbs that
burned 50 brightly few minutes before.
1t was like rain after lightning. She had
not counted upon this. When the En-
peror had entered she looked proudly
around, ana the memory of that last glance
in the great steel mirror was still vivid en-
eugh 10 assure her that she would bear of
the palm of beauty. Now, the veil had
fallen from her eyes, and she saw another
preferred before her!
A few moments of that forced gayety
which disappointed pride puts on, at first,
to hide the keen pangs that are crushing it,
and then Eikasia was gene; and the party,
| following her lead, as usual, broke up. At
the door, Justus stood ready with mantle
of fine wool to guard Theodore from the
night air. She was trembling all over with
the strong excitement of the evening. JUS
tus thought she was shivering, and he
wrapped her up still closer. Could he have
known that she was dead to him from that
moment, the poor youths constant heart
would have bled deeply.
In the monastery of Santa Maria Elkasia
secluded herself from every eye save those
OF the good sisters and her confessor. She
had felt the throb of ambltion-she ROW
wore the garb of humility. The brief day
dream had faded, but its going down had
eftl none of those bright hues that the sun
leaves at parting. Henceforth, life was
painted for her in those sombre shades of
gray that are too dull already to subside
into any other tint. And while EilasIa
composed and sang psalms, to cure the
fever of soul painting for the gift Of love,
Theodore was preparing to ascend the
throne beside him who, had he not been
Emperor, would have equally shared her
heart.
The Empress EuphrOsyne, after her sons
marriage. retired to a monastery to pass the
remainder of her days; one sigh to the
memory of Michael, and she was lost to the
outer world.
Theodcra accompanied the Emperor on
one of his visits to the neighboring con-
vents. a nun attracted her notice by the
height and beauty of her figure. Her face
was almost entirely concealed, by the broad
bands which she, more than the others,
had drawn closely around it. But the full
red lips, unfaded and blooming still, and
guarding row of pearls of unexampled
beauty, brought to her memory the proud
Eikasia, as she stood, waiting in the palace
hall, for the distinction she was so sure
would come to her.
Eikasia's eyes betrayed her emotion.
The Emperor spoke to her courteousIy
without remembering her, and the 'last
straw" was laid on the pride that had been
her ruling passion. She answered hum in
low murmur that sounded little like the
tone that so Jared upon his nerves when,
years ago, the golden apple seemed sc
nearly within her reach.
Thus we struggle-ah! how often-like
wounded birds, against the destiny tha
seemed 80 cruel-yet how reCklessly We
ding away the golden fruit that might bt
| Onrs. and somewhere ayvaU cmOnp din