Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-14


risk. She told Balbus that she had
decided to take the man Verro with
her to the newt banquet given by the
governor. What she proposed To do
then would depend upon what Caro-
linus would do. She had made prep
arations for several issues. At the
banquet Ralbus was TO recline at the
same table as she and Verro. She en-
Joined upon BalbuS TO make up" the
guest by such changes in his person
as did not correspond with those Of
the governor.
Balbus took verTo into the plan. so
far as II could be laid out. telling him
that there was possibility of his he
coming the governor. True. he was
quite likely to lose his life instead, but
it was worth very little TO him in pow
erty aud if he should become Carroll
nus he would be immensely rich. 1t did
not take Verro long TO decide between
these two courses. and his decision
was TO stake his life against wealth.
When the night OF the next banquet
came round. while Carollnus was re-
clining at his table. he suddenly sat up,
stared at a man who was the COM
plete duplicate of himself in dress as
we'll as person, and turned pale. At
the table at which this other Carolinus
sat were Tullia and Balbus. Both saw
the host looking at Verro, but pretend
ed not TO notice that he was doing so.
Carolinus, who had all the superst-
ton Of that age. trembled. At first
Tulia and her lover feared that he
4 -
this would have spoiled their plan.
| Carolinus. struck with terror, did not
know what to do. Was this man him
self. Carolinus. in the spirit? And did
he come to warn him OF his own DEATH
Then in occurred TO him that he could
/ soon find out whether or not the stran-
! ger was mortal. Taking up cup which
! he had prepared for another victim, he
told the slave behind him to take 1t to
/ the guest who resembled himself, ex.
/ change cups with him and pledge him
/ in the governors name.
This is what Tullia and Balbus had
expected or at least hoped he would
( do. When Verro extended his hand to
take the cup TulIia seized it and held
1t alOft, saying:
II claim this honor" She was about
to drink it when Balbus tried to take it
from her. In the struggle between
them it was impossible to tell who
drank the poisoned wine. Carolinus
trembled, fearing Tullia had drunk 1t
and that his failure to thrust it upon
his double indicated that the fates had
decreed his death.
In few minutes Tullia, rising from
her couch, started staggering from
the room. Balbus went after her and
supported her. The stranger sat with
his eyes fixed on Carolinus. who. to get
away from the unearthly stare, left
the banquet hall.
A messenger came TO the governor
from TulliR TO say she was dying and
wished him 10 come to her that she
might explain to him the mystery OF
his double self. He went at once to
her apartment Balbus closed the door
upon him and stabbed him to death
VerrO was there too. Balbus took
Carolinus' body from the room through
a secret passage-the place of the kill
ing had been selected with that view
and placed it where it would not be
found.
Verro, personatng the governor,
went to the latter's chamber, where
he shut himself up, and the people In
ferred that his having seen his double
had produced a distressing impression
upon him.
Meanwhile Tullia and Balbus gave
out that when they had entered the
banquet room the stranger had Joined
them. much to their establishment, and
had taken a place at their table. I'm
doubtedly his coming portended some
thing remarkable TO Carolinus. They
I advised consulting the oracles. The
oracles were consulted and said that
, the stranger had been sent by the gods
to the governor TO punish him for his
crimes: that he was now undergoing
that punishment In private, and when
! he emerged be would be purified. and
j after sacrificing to Jupiter would make
one Of the best and wisest officials in
: the service of the government
At the end Of a month CarOlinuS or
Verro. came out Of his retirement and
. showed himself 10 the people He was
) much changed. His countenapce,
, which had worn malignant express
sion, was now bengnant His voice
: had become more kindly in tone The
words he spoke were those of one who
,. had been purified.
} Carolinus never came back from the
e dead. and Verro continued 10 personate
t him so long as he lived Verro proved
r to be a very worthy man. RENTING
10 tribute so far as possible and living an
exemplary life. When he returned to
5 Rome CaroInus had been absant many
r years, and no one suspected that his
2 substitute was not himself.
Baihus and Tullia we're married as
soon As it was evident that their plan
had been a success. and when verro
went TO Rome he left with them a
D large part OF his wealth