South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-16
LAST DAYS OF POMPEH
By Ed0ard BuI1Cer-Lytton
Condensation for Condensed Novel Series
BY Prof. William Frederick Harris of Cambridge


GIaucus the .Athenian. thy time
has come. said loud and clear
voice: the lion awaits thee.
~ am ready said the Athenian.
He had bent his limbs so as 70 give
himself the frmest posture AT the
expected rush Of the lion, with his
small and shining weapon raised on
nigh. in the faint hope that one
we'll directed thrust might pene-
s-ate through the eye 10 the brain
OF his grim foe.
But 20 the unutterable astonish-
nent OF all the beast seemed not
even aware Of the presence Of the
criminal At the first moment Of
criminal At the first moment OF
arena. raised itself half on end.
snuTing the upward air with i'm
ratient signs; then suddenly II
sprang forward. but not on the
Athenian. At half-speed it circled
round and round the space, turning
it's vast head from side 70 side with
an anxious and perturbed gaze. as
II seeking only some avenue Of es-
cane. once or twice IL endeavored
70 leap up the parapet that divided
il from the audience. and. on fail
ing uttered rather a baffled howl
than its deep-toned and kingly roar.
II evinced no sign either Of wrath
or hunger; its tail dropped along
the sand. instead Of lashing Its
gaunt sides; and it's eve, though it
wandered az times 10 Glaucus, roll
ed HstIessly from him At length.
as II tired Of attempting to escape.
II crept with a moan into its cage.
and once more laid itself down 20
rest.
The first surprise OF the assem-
bly, at the apathy Of the lion soon
grew into resentment at it's cow
ardice; and the populace already
merged their pity for the fate Of
Glaucus into angry compassion for
their own disappointment The
manager called to he keeper;
"How is this? Take a goad.
prick him forth. and then close the
door Of the den
AS the keeper. with some fear.
but more establishment, was prepar-
irg TO obey. a loud cry was heard at
one Of the entrances of the arena:
there was a confusion, a hustle.
voices Of remonstrance suddenly
breaking forth, and suddenly ST.
fenced at the reply. All eyes turn
ed in wonder towards the quarter
OF the disturbance; the crowd gave
way. and suddenly Sallust appeared
on the SENSATIONAL benches. his hair
disheveIled, breathless. heated. half
exhausted He cast his eyes hastily
around the ring. Remove the
Athenian,' he cried: haste. he is in
nocent! Arrest Arbaces tho Egyp-
tian. HE is the murderer Of Apae-
eldest
Art thou mad, o sallust" said
the praetor. rising from his seat.
What means this raving,'
Remove the Attendant Quick!
or his blood be on your head.
Praetor. delay. and you answer with
your own life to the emperor!
bring with me the eyewitness to
the death Of the priest Apaecides.
Room there stand back! Give
way! People of Pompeii. fix every
eve upon Arbaces; there he sits
Room there for the priest Calenus!'
Pale. haggard, fresh from the
Jaws of famine and of death. his
face fallen. his eyes dull as a vul-
lures. his broad frame gaunt as a
skeleton. Calenus was supported in
TO the very row in which Arbaces
sat His releasers had given him
sparingly OF food: but the chief
sustenance that nerved his feeble
limbs was revenge!
The priest Calenusi Calenus!'
cried the mob. rs It he, No, it is
a dead mani
1T is the priest. Calenus,' said
the praetOr. rising from his seat
thou 10 say?'
'Arbaces of Egypt is the muir
derer Of Apaecides. the priest OF
Isis. these eyes saw him deal the
blow. IL is from the dungeon into
which he plunged me, II is from the
darkness and horror Of a death by
famine, that the gods have raised
me 10 proclaim his crimel Release
the Athenian-he Is innocent
1T is for this. then. that the
lion spared him A miracle, a