The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-06-18


Hush, Justusp said she; "I think
you must remember that the subject is
forbidden as one likely to destroy the
bonds of friendship between u.s."
"And is friendship all that I must
hope. forW he asked.
"AllI" she replied. "Methinks it is
great boon, the true and pure friend
ship which l have heard described. Pc.
sides, are you not my own relative?-
1earer than any save brotber2 Sisters
children we are, Justus" And she laid
her white hand upon his arm with sis.
terly freedom that disarmed him of all
resentment toward her. You will gof'i
she asked again.
Yes, Theodora-and as a brother
only, if that is all you can desire me TO
be to you. But shall make sorry at.
endan+.p
The two passed out together, and Just
as they were about to enter the quantity
decorated Greek chariot, another chariot,
with wild, prancing horses, nearly run
against them.
That is Eikasia's carriage" said
Theodore, when her momentary fright
was over. Did you observe what
beautiful thing it isf'
~ saw that it was built in the form Of
a sea-shell," be replied. Eikasia has
taste as we'll as beauty"
Eyes" said Theodore; and oh, Jus
vnsi how grandly beautiful she isl how
full of glorious strength and majesty
Do you know that / shrink away into
nothing beside Eikasia7 She seems to
overshadow me with her commanding
presence"
And yet said Justus, passionately,
one hair from that golden braid ex-
ceeds her charms"
Nonsense, Justusi Do you think
me SO vain as to be caught by such
rhapsodies, my good cousin Keep your
fine speeches for finer ladies than ~
When Justus and Theodore entered
the reception chamber Of the Empress,
Eikasia was already there. She was
dressed magnifcently in a rich green
robe, embroidered with gold stars. On
her head she wore coronet composed
of gold and emeralds. Her train was
three yards in length, and was of white
Persian silk, bordered with gold stars on
a green ground. A broad girdIe, in
which gold was curiously interwoven,
confined her loose robe in folds around
her waists and chain of emeralds dropped
from her white throat, setting off its ex-
quisite fairness A pale, olive hue was
family lighted up with a struggling
crimson, but it was the eyes that lighted
up the wondrous-the deer, passionate
eyes, whose glances seemed absolutely to
burn with the fires of the spirit within.
The long fasIles 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 as il it
could not be spared from the general
effect.
Eikasia's hair was Of that peculiar tint
of purplish black that is at once so rare
and beautiful; and, unlike Theodore s,
she wore it in long curls, that fell over
sionate look that sometimes welled out
from the very soul in moments of her
intensest enthusiasm.
Won by that look--for she wore it
nova 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 sen.
tentious tone of the period, he said.
"Womenis the source of evil.
Her quick eye caught sight of the gold
en- apple. She OWNED Immediately the
cause Of this, and the use to which he
was to apply it, and her dark eyes glis
tened with a proud yet happy expires
sion as she quickly answered, "But
woman is also the source of much good.
She turned aside to speak to Theodore
but her words we're bitter and sarcastic
now-for there was an air of sweetness
and purity in Theodora's face, thai COZ.
trasted with her own passionate nature
The Emperor, who saw it, too, was Olsen
chanted in a moment. All her beaut,
faded from before his sight, and b,
turned away disenthralled.
Whatwas it'll Did her tones jar upol
his nervesf or was he attracted to tn
other maiden, whose blushing cheek al
tested h9r modes.y, and whose sp 'rklinl
eyes proclaimed her intellectually
Who knows, save by what followed
The apple quivered in his band. He ad
, vanced-stopped- : went on, in Corpora
Trim own fashion, hundreds of year
afterward, and placed the bright, shir
, ing fruit in the hand of the fair Thee
doral tf.f
Never before had such blow fallel
{ on the self-complacency Of Eikasia. Th
! words died on her lips, and the teal
forced themselves into those large, blac
/ orbs that burned SO brightly fe'
, minutes before. II was like rain afte
! lightning. She had not counted upo
!, this. When the Emperor had entere
. she looked proudly around, and tn
I memory Of that last glance in the grea
J steel mirror was still vivid enough I
! assure her that she would bear off tb
{ palm Of beauty Now, the veil ha
|. fallen from her eyes, and she saw anotht
I preferred before herl 81 .st
A few moments Of that forced gayet
/. which disappointed pride puts on,