Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-06-09

which entOmDed fOmpen, Wlne Oh
Cecuba. a wondrous product, sung by
every poet, had been inclosed in this
amphora
Wine of Cecuba, co-eval with the
Empero Titus
What was perhaps most noticeable
and peculiar was the seal, in the i'm
preston Of which on the crushed wax
could be traced, beneath two outspread
wings of graceful design, the Greek
word. "Zoe" Qife) Perhaps a tribute
to the wines revivifying qualities, per
haps only superstitious emblem.
The amphora appeared to be genuine
and the seal was intact.
"Where does this come from?"
From the wine cellar of the @dile
Pansa. a counoisseur. "
1T is really very curious discov-
cry"
"Rarer vet in this It is still full "
would you have me believe in a
wine of Cecuba 1880 years old2" asked
Louis, laughing.
"Why not1"
Absurd"
"Listen" The landlord shook the
smVhora. and they heard the gurgling
Vi the liquid within.
lis this trick' How is it that
Vcsuvius itself did not dry it up?'
"Pompeii was engulfod and buried.
but not burned
THAT does not sufficiently explain
it"
Chi lo saf' | don't try to explain
il. hear the wine murmur in its 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
"No, indeed l should not care for
its favor of pitch, its resinous aroma
picatum, as said the Pompeiians, and l
would much prefer the growth Of your
own vineyard, the black, sweet wine,
warmed by the heat of the sun and the
volcano. 1t is rather heavy but palata-
BILE don't feel much confidence in
this fossil Cecuba. "
"You are wrong"
Come my host, if l were inclined
TO be superstitious should distrust
you and your wine No sooner do ask
for suck an impossible wine than yOu
bring il. and in an amphora. ov-r
which at this very moment, l have no
doubt, is lowering the spirit of the elder
Pliny"
''At least, signor. You might taste
it,"
Irreverently breaking the inviolate
seal, ths landlord removed the wrapping
around the amphora S mouth, skinned
off the drop of oil. which protected the
liquor from contact with the air, then,
handing an antique goblet to bis guest,
he filed it with half the contents of the
amphora, the famous Cecuba wine, and
smilingly withdrew
Louis watched him without remon-
STRANGE He held the cup up before his
eyes. and. in spite of his incredulity adj
mired the ruby red color of the wine,
with a burned topaz sparkle, as the
sun shone through it,
But no sooner had the wine passed
his lips than a sudden heat, as Of liquid
fire, ran through bis veins. subtle
eXalatiOn 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
"ZoeY" suddenly exclaimed a clear
and melodious 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 suns last
ray, and cut Ct this vague twilight
there glided toward him the slender
form of a young and marvelonsly beau
tiful woman.
"How came you here?" he asked in
bewilderment
Dreamer muTmured 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 Tarest essences. was drawn a white
fllet. like the line Of silver stream in
the darkness Of the night. The net
which EMBODIED them sparkled with
pearls and brilliant shells. Her rounded
chin. touched with soft dimple the
straight classic nose. the voluptuous
,urve Of the lips. were modelled on the
ines Of an antique cameo
The long gray cloak in which the fair
unknown was enveloped half concealed
, white garment the long tunic or
Itola. which gave her the appearance
If some ancient Pompeiian beauty,
pared by the centuries. rescued from
he lava of Vesuvius
But what perplexed him more than