The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-03-23

uud 1 am your faithful servant" Ineyoong
Arverne took the cup, half emptied it, and
returned it to Lydia. The girl carried it to
her lips, but she trembled SO that she let it
fall, and the cup, with its beautiful rose glaze,
was broken upon the mosaic pavement.
Many Of the guests considered this incident
as of evil omen, but the emotion passed of
and the feast was ended to the sound of the
tibia and the Phrygian flute.
Robert and Lydia were betrothed accord
ing to the rites and customs Of Arvernie.
Their marriage was to be celebrated a few
days later, following the prescriptions of the
Roman law.
The day following this joyous feast, the
two lovers walked together in the neighbor-
ing forest. They exchanged soft words and
tender looks, and formed a thousand projects.
Meanwhile, the watchers, signaling from
hill to hill, had given notice of the appear
ance, at q great distance, of some bands Of
Germans. The news ran through the city,
but with the carelessness of youth, the lovers
believed themselves sheltered from all danger,
and nothing troubled their serenity.
They had arrived at the glade where they
had exchanged their first VOWS. Lydia re-
called that it was also the place where the
power of her charms had triumphed over
Robert. and had won from him his secret.
She wished to seat herself upon the messy
bank which had been witness of their pledges.
The sun was disappearing below the horizon.
The shades Of the forest had a serene, almost
sad aspect. Tho immense plain stretched
itself away to the foot of the sinuous line of
the blue mountains. Suddenly q somber and
cold tint replaced the vanishing rays, and
night had fallen.
Their gaze turned at the same momen in
the direction Of Augusto-N emetum. They
saw some light clouds Of smoke forming over
the city. They thought it was only the
autumn mist, which sometimes covered all
the horizon, but the smoke became blacker
and more dense, and great flames seemed to
lick the foot of the mountains. Soon the
central cone, where stood the temple of Mer-
curry, appeared to be on fire, and tongues of
flame shot up against the sky as if a volcano
had suddenly burst into eruption.
Then only, they began to think of the warn
ings of the watchers, and their hands met in
mutual terror. Then only, Robert remem-
bered his oath and his perjury.
80 Lydia!!' he cried, ''the predictions of
the Diorix are about to be fulfilled. How
ever, it was not betraying my promise ocon.
fde my secret to her who will be my well be
loved spouse. Have you kept the precious
tablets, or have you given them to your
father?". "
II am much to be blamed" replied Lydia.
The tablets were in my chamber, where no
one penetrates, locked in q Golfer of which I
alone have the key. Each day I look at them,
as I think Of you. Yesterday morning they
had disappeared, and today I found them
again in their accustomed place. Another
has perhaps read the fatal secret. It is I who
am the cause of the evil which menaces US.
It is upon my head that the thunder of Tarann
should fall.n
"You divine head is dearer to me than life
or glory. Do not distress yourself, you are
not in the least culpable. And see, the fire
seems to abate. It is probably only dry
weeds burning over there N the mountains,
as at the festival of the Luperca. Let us go
home and dream of nothing but our hap
piness."
And, trying to reassure her, albeit not
without fear himself, he conducted his be-
trothed to the house Of Balbuo. Then, hav-
ing ascertained that nothing in the environs
revealed the presence Of the enemy, he re-
turned to his own dwelling.
+ + +
A numerous band of Germans, while their
chief burned Augusta emetum and the
temple Of Mercury Dumiatus, turned toward
the plain. Having heard boasts of the wealth
Of Liusannum, they crossed the Allier, and,
under cover of the night, surprised the Sleep
ing city.
Robert was awakened by a great tumult.
He assembled the terrace of his house, and
saw with horror tie flames devouring the
great city. Without delay he donned his
war costume, seized his two edged ak, and
FASTENED toward the dwelling of Balbuo.
Tho place is already invaded by q troop Of
barbarians. He easily clears a passage for
himself and reaches the vestibule. There he
encounters a frightful spectacle. Balbuo and
his sons are CORY corpses. Lydia, almost
nude, struggles in the midst of
the soldiers, who are disputing over
their prey. With uplifted az, Robert
falls upon them. Many he stretches at his
feet, the rest fly. Lydia, half dead, throws
herself into hie armo; ho presses her to his
heart. He thinks to fee with her, but he
hears the ferocious cries of the conquerors,
who surround the house. The light buildings
Of the pottery are already consumed, and the
fire gains the principal edifce. There is no
means of escape.
II have violated my oath,n cried Robert.
''The a%rchdruid's prediction is fulfilled, but
I die happy, since I die with you. o Lydia:
wife, l love your and for the last time
his lips fervently press the lips of his be-
trothed.
At this instant a cloud of smoke envelops
them. Lydia utters a cryof horror, and they
disappear in the flames.
Thus were annihilated the temple of Mer-
curry, whose ruins have since been partially
uncovered on the summit Of the Puy-de-Dome,
and the town Of Liusannum, with numerous
and wealthy cities. Thus were forever lost,
not only the secret of the Diorix, but also the
process of the marvellous glazing of the Gallo
Roman potters, which is vainly sought for
today. Such is the opinion of the wise DR..
Picque, who has recently found upon a frag-
ment of pottery the ancient name of tho
town Of Lezoux, and whose curious memoirs
upon ceramics have thrown much light upon
the obscure history Of Arvernie in the Third
century.-Translated for The Argonaut from
the French of Gabriel Marc byT F. Robert
son.