The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-01

which Vinnicius is determined not to do
The result is that upon the first night
Of her stay in the palace, being accom-
panied by Vinnicius at one of the great
feasts of Caesar and his court, when the
feast has progressed until drunkenness
and passion no know bounds, Lygia is de-
livered from shame and seduction on the
part of Vinnicius, only by a giant slave
attendant, Ursus, who has accompanied
her from childhood, and who also is
Christian.
Lygia decides now that she must es-
cape, but how?
Vinnicius has arranged TO send for her
at evening and take her to his own home.
But Ursus decides to deliver her and take
her in hiding among the Christians. This
plan is successfully carried out.
Now begins a search on the part of vi
nicius for Lygia, which in truth proves
search for the truth of the Christian re-
ligion.
Lygia and the giant are located, and
Vinnicius takes with him Croton, the not
ed gladiator Of the city TO capture Lygia,
and kill Ursus, but it turns out just the
reverse. Croton's bones easily crack in
the grip Of the Teutonic giant. and but for
Lygia Vinnicius would have Jared no bet
ter. AS it is he is wounded and falls into
the hands of the Christians who tenderly
care for him and wholly disarm him Of
evil itention. Now he would not take Ly-
gia if he could, except as his wife, for he
knows such thing would be 50 uncour-
ageous as to be an impossible thing. AS
soon as he is able to leave the Christians
he departs, but Lygia discovering her love
for Vinnicius and the inconsistency of
such love, herself fees again and takes
refuge with the Apostle Peter.
Soon after Rome is burned at the insti-
cation OF Nero, and to turn the suspicion
from himself, Nero begins to kill the
Christians This he does in a way to get
the greatest amusement out of it for him
self and the Roman populace, max
ing torches of them, feeding them to
the lions and wild beasts, crucifyng the
old. But Nero having his mind turned to
hatred in the meantime against Vinnicius,
and knowing of Vinnicius' love for Lygia,
whom the officers have taken along with
the giant Ursus, of whom Nero has heard
as having dispatched the greatest gladi-
ator of Rome, decides 10 make great
spectacle Of these notable characters. The
great amphitheatre is crowded with spec
tators, anxious to see what new form OF
amusement Nero has provided for them
and himself. The arena is cleared of ev-
cry obstacle, but at the sound of the gong
Ursus the giant is introduced into the en-
closure. He is wondered at by all on ac-
count of his apparent strength. He i'm
mediately does what the Christians uni
versally did when introduced to the arena,
went to the center and knelt in prayer.
At this the audience Kissed and howled.
VIII he like all the other Christians allow
himself to be cut down and devoured with
out resistance? But no one knows what
will be the form of attack. Suddenly the
gate opens and an immense bull plunges
into the arena and upon it is bound the
beautiful Christian Lygia. When Ursus
sees the one to whom he had devoted his
life for years in such danger he .rushes
forward, seizes the beast by the horns,
brings him to a standstin. Here is a death
struggle But the Christian giant pre-
walls, the brute goes down before him and
Lygia is released. The spectators go wild.
All demand of Caesar that the life of the
giant and his sacred charge be spared.
Caesar yields reluctantly but yield he
must All this time Vinnicius. whoh as
become a Christian, prays and pleads and
believes that Christ will rescue Lygia.
The story need go no further. But what
has the book to teach? To the reader
who will yearn it, it portrays the con-
quering constituents of Christians. Which
are:
/ God is Christ The supernatural is
ever before the reader.
. Faith and prayer.
% Ability to wait.
CO Ability to suffer.
(. Love.
These conquer.
Is the box worth reading?
To some, yes.
To others, no.
I would not recommend it to everybody.
There are better books, free from the poi
sonous language, for our reading.
Yet it is fearful and true portrayal of
the times of which it speaks.