The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-09-29

greeted with cheers from his own peo- pie and the spectators,
 As the long line passes tho grand stand, companies Of dancing girls, soi- diers and gladiators break from the ranks and rush gayly for long ave. nue formed down the middle of the lawn. Here they minglc in series of fantastic dances, one company after another joining, until the eye Is bewil- dered with the graceful, intricate evo- lutions, the mingling of dazzling colors, the flashing of glittering arr nor and the waving of brilliant wands and palms.
 The procession ends, and again tho scene changes. Nero's palace appears. A messenger rushes in announcing that a large number of Christians have been discovered at their worship. They rush upon the stage, pursued by the soldiery, and wild confusion en. sues. The young maiden, Thirxa, dashes wildly to the front, pursued by the excited mob. .Spaiatro, Roman youth, springs between them at the risk of his fife and rescues her. For an instant the fury of the mob is checked, then lSpaidtro is dragged away and 1h,rza is about being slain, when Nero and his guards appear. He interferes to save the girl, and, struck with her wondrous beauty, offers her his protection; but she turns from him, and, rush. ing to Spaiatro, throws her arms around him, fin spite of the sol diers who hold him. Nero signals his guards who drive .Spatatro back Seizing one of their spears, SpaLatro strikes the guard and rushes toward Neto3 but is quickly overpowered loaded with chains and taken away Thirxa kneels to Nero entreating par don iof Isl,d!atyo, but ia vain; sAe 1: seized and borne away to Nero's pal. ace. A number of Christian men, wo. men and children are dragged in by ths soldiers, and condemned to death by Nero, among them Salinus, the brother of THirzd.
 Again the scene changes, and tho Circus Maximascappears. At the right is the royal box, in the midst o which, surrounded by his followers appears Nero in magnificent attire with the beautiful Th1za beside him Jewels gleam and gorgeous raimeni dazzles the eye but the Christian maiden still appears in the simple robe in which she was taken prisoner
 On either side are large numbers ol the citizens gathered to zee the sports Foot and chariot races, wrestling matches and all forms of the old Olympian games follow, ending with a gladiatorial contest, in which light ing to death is the rule. A large shars Of the contestants arc the Chrlstia1 prisonrrs. When all but two of thu combatants :.c slain, Thfrsa suddenly discovers that they are Salfaas, hel brother, and 4patafro, her protector She entreats Nero to put an end to the contest, but he mercilessly orders it t< proceed to the death, whereupor Tnfyxa rushes franticaliy from ths box, only to reach the contestants just as Spalatro falls pierced by her broth. ers sword. With . shriek of agony she falls on his dead body. At Nev0,l orders the guards rush forward and seize the girl, but Salfn0 throws them of and frees her. Falling on her knees she prsys her brother to slay her to ave her from Neyos impure advances. He hesitstes, but e the guards attempt to seize her the second time, he stabs her to the heart. RAis- ing her clAsped hands to heaven she falls dead.
 Thsn follows ths slaughter of all that are Ien of her relatives and many more Christians. Some of tham, wrapped in inAammsbIs materials, are fAstensd on high posts and set on fire, made Hving torching torches by which Neros hsndish sports ars car- risd on.
 The scene again changes and tho in- tsrior of Nyos magnificent palace i1