The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
THE CHILD SLAVE.
The Lssssn Learned BY ursula--A story
Of Rome.

A moist, cool breeze, perfumed from
the great beds Of flowers At the side OF
the court, touched her soft cheek carees-
ingly. Albeit her face was 30 round
and young and might have been so
sweet, 1t was very sullen and unhappy
looking.
Tho fortunes Of the cruel Roman wars
had brought Ursula to Rome, away from
her home and kindred, where she had
been petted, humored. caressed and
spoiled, ne playmate for the little Lady
Irene, nn exacting, capricious mistress
enough. MS badly spoiled and quick Of
temper as her slave.
At last Irene came dancing down the
great stairway and out through the por-
tico. followed by her attendants.
Come, thou little surly face she
CRIED gayly; 1--WE have permission to
take n morning stroll and then TO the
baths We will visit the shops aud test
the fruits of the country girls. | may
buy thee bracelet IL thou wilt be
merry"
She caught her hand, and Ursula, with
q childs ready pleasure, sprung up, de-
lighted at the promised trent.
| How gay the streets are!' Irene ex-
claimed. Ne they emerged. "Didst bring
n wreath TO offer nj the temple of Jupi-
terr' she asked suddenly, glancing mt
ursula's empty hands. "Of course not,
| thVh tultifSc tu's
| She swung the girls hand violently
away and struck her singing blow
on the cheek.
Thou never doest the thing want"
she said. angrily.
"Oh, my lady" Irene's nurse exclaimed
THY father would bc i'll pleased to sec
thee SO dcnean myself on the streets
Remember. the girl knew not that we
wore coming until the instant"
lreno's III humor vanished Instantly.
"ForSooth, we will buy a finer wreath
than that little stupid can make. Thou
are III of temper. ! will have my father
sell thee for a dog. l tell thee, be merry
such u morning"
While they were returning home
djicatc tNWpolitan shell necklace In
one of tho booths caught lrcne's fancy.
In spite of the nurses rcmonstrnncc she
insisted on buying It. She was holding
1t up adniring it when II company of
sodicry swept by.
Irene and her train drew up hastily
against tho wall. Ursula. taking advan-
tagc of tho crowd, allowed herself 20 be
violently pushed against Irene, knocking
the necklace ont of her hand TO the
ground. where II was trampled to frag-
ments in an instant.
Irene turned upon her Ike little fury
and the blows rained thick and fast upon
her fnce and head.
hIsulN TtuHuH WV htT tVuIlfiFlNs
and II the nurse had not caught her hand
the little Lady Irene would have been
paid in kind.
"post wish the lash, mad child?"
whispered the nurse Fall back among
the slaves. Irene will soon forget"
Irene may, but Ursula will not" NUT
tered the maddencd girl.
Late that evening the nurse came to
Ursula's little pallet.
81 heard the Nazarene tonight" she
whispered softly, 'and he said the un-
known god did not teach vengeance
hike Jupiter aud the other gods, but TINT
we were to love them that hated VS. and
do good TO them that despitefully used
us"
Ursula sat up, pushing back the tanglc
Of her thick black hair
is the unknown god grent?" she
asked, eagerly. If | offer hbations to
him he may strike Irene dead. She does
not know. him to intcrcede."
The nurse shook her head.
mo, thou wicked child; the Nazarene
SAYS: "Though he be greater than all
gods, he is a god who says to love"
rs that the greatest thlug-to lover
asked Ursula wonderingly.
Truly. | think So" answered the wo-
man. Would it not be the greatest
thing for thee TO love Irener
"The gods themselves could not do n
ETtuItT lnllE, HHrNflfu iifuli, WIN
cinched fists and flashing eyes.
"'rhon art not Roman, but thou art
of Thcssaly and brave blood runs IN the
veins of Thessaly. Thy father was II
noble. II il be the hardest thing to love,
then show thy birth-and love" coun-
seled the willy nurse.
Tho greater part Of the night she lay
with widc-open eyes, thinking deeply.
IF loved Irene ] would tell her what
overheard Lady Fuyia say 10 Lady
Villain | do not think il true. l sea
little beauty in her. She il vain enough
now. Bah! | VIII not please her so; hut
then the harder the task the greater
il Is to do it, Well, / will wait until
the morning. Perhaps the unknown god
will aid me-" she continued TO herself
AS usual, the next morning she took
her station in the portco.
Irene came in pleasant bun,vr. her
small form cnveloped in white robe,
heavily embroidered in purple.
"'rhou hast n brighter face this morn
ing" she greeted Ursula, II beset thee
right hardly yesterday. did notf' abe
continued. with n ringing laugh "Twas
most uncouth Of thee TO break my pretty
chain, but nurse says II was the soldiers
fault, not thine. Here's that bracelet l
promised to pay thee for the headache !
gave thee Put it on!' she commanded
imperously, throwing il at ursula's feet
as she stopped unwillngly and slipped
the bauble on.
Il thank thee, Lady Irene" she said
softly.
Irene looked at her In establishment.
Some one must be teaching thee man
pers," she said.
Out along the great beds of flowers
they gathered industriously awhile, Irene
necessarily, Ursula, as usual,
silent.
At length Ursula said:
Irene. heard somewhat of thee the |
other day"
MOI" replied Irene. curlousy; what |
heardst thoul'
'"rhc Ladies' VILLAIN and Fulvia were
in the portico awaiting thy mother. Thou |
hadst but past; dost rememberT
Irene nodded.
Lady Fuvia said: The little Irene
bids fair To carry of the palm Of beauty |
among our Roman mnidens when she |
hath few more years
"'g'hou speakest truly Lady Yollani
answered. She. hath n supple form, a
proud and wiDsome face"
Irene sprung forward and kissed Ur-
sula impetuously, then ran TO the foun-