The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-06-18
THE EMPEROR's CHOICE.
A A,Legend from History.


Michael the Second lay in the sepul-
chral chapel erected by Justinian, in
the Church Of the Holy Apostles at
Constantinople. 1t was in the autumn
Of S29 that this Emperor died, leaving
the throne Of the Eastern Empire to his
son Theophilus.
Married atan early stage Of his great
ness to Euphfosyne, daughter of faCon-
stantine VI, michael had suffered 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, as 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 TO
obtain dispensation from the Patriarch
for the beautiful reeluse to share it with
him. a - iits4
There were those who dared murmur
against the desecration, as they termed
it, and the sovereign's life was embit-
tered, and perhaps his death hastened,
by the reports that often reached him of
the disapproyal of his subjects. Euphro-
syne, however, made as exemplary an
Empress as she had been irreproachable
as nun, and mourned her husbands
death with astrue grief as if she had
never abipred the world.gs AL her re-
manning affections centered in her son,
The0philus, who assembled 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 invadingthe sacred precints of
the cloisterfOr wife, the Empress as
sembled all the most beautiful and
giaceful among the maidens Of (,onstan-
tinople to a Jste 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. snG
Perhaps it was only a whim that
prompted his quick answer; but he
eventually carried it out, in way that
accorded with his quaint and quiet
hhumor Selling an apple of pure gold
from among the costly ornaments Of his
mothers cabinet, he said, 7" Look, moth
@ will openly present this apple to
the maideniwho most shall meet my ap-
probation in your circle, this evening;
and that maideny whoever she may be,
snail share with me the throne.
he Empress approved, and they sep-
,srated, to meet again when she should
oe surrounded by the flower Of beauty
and grace insher own apartment.
#Aa * #l 49,
he evening shades were deepening
,nto darkness, when young and very
beautiful girl, dress d with fairy light
ness and taste, stood before the massive
sleel mirror which gave back her dashing
eyes and crimson eeks, She was
pea in a long, trailing garment of
uansparent silver tissue, looped up at
1 one side with a knot of white A we
Inc shoulders were partially bare, and
me short sleeve was gathered up by a
nngle spray of delicate lilies. Across
lne bosom tie robe was drawn int
graceful folds parting in the center,
suo decorated with. flowers The j air
ras braided igto,a a heavy knot at tie
pack OF The head, and wreath of tiny
tseen leaves encircIed the knot. Except
.ne flowers, there was no decaTation
> An was N the strictest simplicity, but
nn air OF indescribsble elegance and
nnement pervaded her who appear
Z she stepped from before the large
mirror she met the eyes of young
ma ma bearing strong family resemblance
y ner. liking themselves earnestly ane
admiringly upon her.
5ou win go with me-, Justusr' sh,
asxea rs he approached her.
II " Is your pleasure, Theodore,
"as sne reply, ~ am only too happy h