The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-05-31
1T is really very curious o,scov.

|
Would You have me believe in a
WINE OF Cecuba 1900 years old ?" asked
Louis. laughing.
"Why notf''
"Absurd!''
| "Llsten! The landlord ehook the
amphora, and they heard the gurgling
of the liquid within.
lis this a trick9 How is it that
Vesuvius itself did not dry it ups'
'Pompeii was engulfed and buried
but not burned"
.That does not sufficiently explain
IT,"
Chi 10 saf don't try to explain
1t. hear the wine murmur in it's pris-
on. Will you try it? 1t was too tart,
too crude for the adile Pansas, but for
you it is just at the right stage"
mo. indeed. should not care for
IT'S havor OF pitch. it's resinous aroma,
picatum. as said the Pompeiians. and I
would much prefer the growth of your
own vineyard. the black, sweet wine,
warmed by the heat Of the sun and the
volcano. It is rather heavy. but palata-
bic don't feel much confidence in
this fossil Cecuba.
"You are wrong"
Come. my host. il I were inclined
to be superstitious- I should distrust
you and your wine. No sooner do aek
for such an impossible wine than You
bring it, and in an amphora, over
which at this very moment, I have no
doubt. is lowering the spirit Of the elder
Pliny."
cat least. signor. you might taste
it,"
Irreverently breaking the inviolate
seal. the landlord removed the wrapping
around the amphora' g mouth, SKINNED
off the drop Of oil. which protected the
liquor from contact with the air, then,
handing an antique goblet to his guest,
he filled it with half the contents of the
amphora. the famous Cecuba wine. and
smilingly Withdrew.
Louis watched him without remon-
strance. He held the cup up before his
eyes, and. in spite of his incredulity ad-
mired the ruby red color Of the wine,
with burned topaz sparkle. as the
sun shoqe through it.
But no sooner had the wine passed
his lips than sudden heat, as Of liquid
fire. ran through his veins. subtle
exalafion rose to his brain.
The goblet, falling from his hand
struck and broke the glass in which the
lizard was confined. Instead Of escap-
ing. it glided with the swiftness of
tightening along the neck of the am
phora and disappeared within it with
out being perceived by Louis. entranced
In reverie.
"Zoe!" suddenly exclaimed clear
and melodions voice.
Louis started, woke. drew his hand
across his eyes and stared at the spot
from which the voice seemed to come.
The room was now in darkness, save
for fading glimmer Of the SUMS last
ray. and cut of this vague twilight
there glided toward him the slender
form Of young and marvelously beau
tiful woman.
SHOW came you here?" he asked in
jewilderment
"Dreamer!" murmured the young
girl. laying her white, jeweled hand
upon his and gazing softly into his
eyes.
Through the silken waves of her Jet
black hair. smooth as satin, perfumed
with rarest easences; was drawn white
6llet, like the line Of silver stream in
the darkness Of the night The net
which enfolded them sparkled with
pearls anu brilliant shells. Her rounded
chin. touched with soft dimpie, the
straight classic nose, the voluptuous
curve of the lips, were modelled on the
lines Of an antique cameo.
The long gray cloak in which the fair
unknown was enveloped half concealed
a white garment. the long tunic or
stola. which gave her the appearance
Of come ancient Pompeiian beauty,
spared by the centuries, rescued from
the lava Of Vesuvius.
But what perplexed him more than
her strange costume was to recognize
in the cleaning eyes Of the young wom-
an familiar glance whose sparkle had
once before shone into his, but yet he
could not recall where he had ever seen
her.
81 am called N@voleia Tyche." said
she in clear, musical accents.
The architect started in aseonish-
ment
'.N@voleia Tyche. the freed woman
Of Julia2''
eyes"
.'The beloved of Caius Munatius
Faustus?''
81 am she"
'.Today looked at and admired your
tomb. Tell me, are you dead or livingf"
'Listenl" And her voice was touched
with tender melancholy. 'That tomb
J built while living for myself and for
Caius Fauatus. to whom the decurions
had awarded the honors OF the bisel-
lium, and hoped some day to End
there eternal rest. The goda willed It
otherwise. Often. returning from my
evening drives. before entering the
town passed and looked with pride at
my superb mausoleum. on which were
carved my own features and form. But
who remembers now the beautiful and |
adored Nmvoleia Tyche, who now would
know her in her new shape, who ncw
could distinguish her from her countless
companions7''
r. ~ = ~