Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-06-26
THE EMPER0R'S CHOICE.


Michael the Second lay in the sepul
chral chapel erected by Justinian, in
the Church of the Holy Apostles at
COnstan inople. 1t was in the autumn
OF 829 that this Emperor died, leaving
the throne of the Eastern Empire to his
con Theophilus.
Married at an early stage of his great
ness to Euphrosyne, daughter of Con.
stantine W., Michael had suffered a de-
gree of obloquy which he could not
avert, in consequence of his marriage.
Euphrosyne had already become a nun,
when he accidentally saw her, q she was
returning from mathis, across the court
yard adjoining both convent and chapel
From this time her image haunted him,
night and day; and when at length he
came to the throne, his first act was 10
obtain dispensation from the Patriarch
for the beautiful recluse to share it with
him.
There were those who dared murmur
against the desecration, as they termed
1t, and the sovereign's life was embit-
tered, and perhaps his death fastened,
by the reports that often reached him of
the disapproval of his subjects. Euphro-
syne, however, made as exemplary an
Empress - she had been irreproachable
- q nun, and mourned her husbands
death with as true grief as if she had
never abjured the world. All her re-
manning affections centered in her son,
IheOphilus, who ascended the throne
when his father died, in October, 829.
10 please the fastidious taste that
characterized the new Emperor, and,
perhaps, to guard him against the temp
tation Of invading the sacred precints of
the cloister for q wife, the Empress as-
sembled all tho most beautiful and
g,aceful among the maidens of Constan-
tinOple to . Jete in her own private
apartments. Previous to their coming
she informed him of her object, and de-
sired him to select a new empress from
among the the many fair and high-born
maidens who would grace it.
Perhaps it was only . whim that
prompted his quick answer; but he
eventually carried it out, in q way that
accorded with his quaint and quiet
humor. Selling an apple of pure god
from among the costly ornaments Of his
mothers cabinet, he said, "Look. moth
eri. / will openly present this apple to
the maiden who most shall meet my ap-
probation in your circle, this evening;
and that maiden, whoever she may be,
sha1 share with me the throne.
the Empress approved, and they sep-
arated, to meet again when she saoM1d
be surrounded by the flower of beauty
and grace in her own apartment. .
The evening shades were deepening
into darkness, when a young and very
beautiful girl, dress d with fairy light
ness and taste, stood before the massive
steel miIror which gave back her dashing
eyes and crimson c eeks. She was
bed in long, trailing garment of
one side with knot of white fl We
The shoulders were partially bare, and
the short sleeve was gathered up by
single spray of delicate lilies. Across
the bosom tie robe was drawn int
graceful folds parting in the center, |
and decorated with flowers The air
was braided ir;o heavy knot at tie
back of the head, and wreath of tiny
green leaves encircled the knot. Except |
the flowers, there was no decoration. |
All was in the stric,est simplicity, but
IN air of indescribable elegance and |
Z finem- mt pervaded her who appear
Snce.
g she stepped from before the large
mirror she met the eyes of a young
ma bearing strong family resemblance
10 her. 1xing themselves earnestly and
upon her.
You will 90 with mt, Justusr she
asked, q he approached her.
"if it is your pleasure, Theodora,"
was the reply, II am only too happy to