Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-10-28
The Emperor's Choice.

Mic hazel the Second lay in the sepulchral
chapel erected by Justinian, in the Church
of the Holy Apostles at Constantinople. 1t
was in the autumn of S29 that this En-
peror died, leaving the throne of the East
ern Empire to his son Theophilus.
Married at an early stage of his greatness
to Euphrosyne, daughter of Constantine
vi, Michael hao suffered degree of OBJ
loquy which he could not avert, in conse-
quence of his marriage. Euphrosyne had
already become nun, when he accident
ally saw her, Us she was returning from
mathis, across the courtyard 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 TO 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 it,
and the sovereIgn's life was embittered,
and perhaps his death hasteEed, by the re.
ports that often reached him of the disap-
proval of his subjects Euphrosyne, how
ever, made as exemplary al Empress as
she had been lrreproachable as a nun, and
mourned her husbands death with as true
a grief as if she had never abjured the
world. All her remaining affections cen
tered in her son, Theophilus, who ascend
ed the throne when his father died, in Oc-
tober, S29.
To please the fastidious taste that char
acterized the new Emperor, and, perhaps,
to guard him against the temptation of in
vading the sacred precincts of the clOister
for wife, the Empress assembled all the
most beautiful and graceful among the
maidens of Constantinople to Jete in her
own private apartments. Previous to their
coming she Informed him Of her object,
and desired him to select a new empress
from among the many fair and high-born
nlaidens who would grace it.
Perhaps it was only whim that prompt
ed his qmck answer; but he eventually
carried it out, in way that accorded
with his quaint and quiet humor. Selzing
an apple of pure gold from among the cost
ly ornaments of his mothers cabinet, he
said, ''Look, mother! ! will openly pre-
sent this apple to the maiden who most
shall meet my appreciation in your circle,
this evening; and that maiden, whoever
she may be, shall share with me the throne.
The Empress approved, and they sep
arated, to meet again when she should be
surrounded by the flower of beauty and
grace in her own apartment.
The evening shades were deepening into
| darkness, when young and very beautiful
girl, dressed with fairy lightness and taste,
stood before the massive steel mirror which
gave back her flashing eyes and crimson
| cheeks. She was rObed In a long, trailing
garment of transparent silver tissue, looped
up at one side with knot of white flowers.
The shoulders were partially bare, and the
short sleeve was gathered up by single
spray of delicate lilies. Across the bosom
the robe was drawn into graceful folds
parting in the center, and decorated with
| flowers. The hair was braided into heavy
knot at the back of the head, and wreath
of tiny green leaves encircled the knot.
Except the flowers, there was no decora-
ton. All was in the strictest simplicity,
but an air of indeseribable elegance and re-
finement pervaded her whole appearance.
AS she stepped from before the large
mirror she met the eyes of young man,
bearing strong family resemblance to her,
fixing themselves earnestly and admlringly
upon her.
"lou will go with me, Justus?" she
asked, as he approached her.
"If it is your pleasure, Theodora," was
the reply, 'I am only too happy to attenC
YOU" lie bent toward her and whisper
| ed, "If could but know that l might
hope for your presence always"
''Hush, Justus!" said she; II think yol
must remember that the subject is forbid
den as one likely t. destroy the bonds Of
friendship between us
'And is friendship all that must hope
for7' he asked,
"All!" she replied, ''Methinks it is {
great boon, the true and pure friendship
which / have heard described. Besides
are you not my own relative ?-dearer' thar
any save brother2 Sisters children We
are Justus." And she laid her white hanC
upon his arm with sisterly freedom tina
disarmed hlm of all resentment toward her
''You will go2" she asked again.
eyes, Theodora-and as brother only
if that is all you can desire me to be t
you. But shall make sorry attend
ant"
The two passed out together, and just a
they were about to enter the quaintly-d
corated Greek chariot, another chariot
with wild, prancing horses, nearly rul
against them.
"That is Elkasia's carriage" said Theo
dora, when her monentary fright was over
"Did you observe what beautiful thing i
is2"
81 saw that 1t was built in the form of
SHE'LL" he replied. 'tEikasia has tast
as well as beauty"
eyes" said theodore; sand oh, Jus
tus how grandly beautiful she is! hoV
full of glorious strength and majesty! d
you know that shrink away into nothin
beside Eikasia She seems to oVershadoy
me with her comanding presence"