The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 14, 1902, Page 6

THE SUNDAY CALL. that Augustus had given away. The island of Capreae is not the oqu place where the word of Caesar is law, remsarked Joseph at length. “He is Surely none the less powerful here in Rome, where he hath often acted the part of a cruel tyrant. 1 own that I distrust this Pollio, who seeks to gain confidence by acknowledging his baseness, yet is he less a knave than those who assume to be honest and disinterested friends. 1am disposed to trust to his superstition, the controlling weakness of all gambiers. He probably reaily believes that good fortune he hath of late enjoyed dependeth on thy success, Judas. Hence it is to his interest, as he regards it, to buiid thee up rather than tear thee down. There is in the venture a large element of risk, but, like Poilio, we are playing for a high stake; not alone glory and advancement, but the opportunity to alleviate the con- digdon of our oppressed countrymen. The prospect of success is well worth the risk, even if we fail. Let us consider the mat- ter settled.” Our arrangements for the pleasant, yet most ‘important, journey Wwere quickly made. The business policy that Joseph had announced to me upon our nrst meet- ing in Rome had been continued. Our out- sice interests had been disposed of, and the city of the Caesars now held nearly the entire of our vast wealth, which was in the form of money, gold, silver, gems, and goods representing great value in “small compass. This was but an act of the most or- dinary prudence, in view of the recent order expelling those of our nation from the city. There is scant security for any people, the integrity of whose gOVern- ment has been aestroyed; with none to protect, they fall an easy prey to all that desire to oppress them—as who does not? The tenure by which the Jew at present holds his property, his life, even, is ex- ceedingly frail and depends upon the caprice and greed of his masters. Many of my people, looking backward at the glorious history of our sacred nation, and remembering that we have twice escaped from a most galling foreign tyranny, see prospects of independence and prosperity in the future. Such enthusiasts take no note of the changed conditions, due lo modern civilization, that have of late arisen in the world; have small apprecia- tion of the Eower of ambition when sup- ported by knowledge and wealth. Be- sides, the world is wider than they know. When the follies and debaucheries of the Romams nave brought their mighty empire to an end, the vast hordes of despised barbarians in the far north will, unless 1 mistake, have become wise and strong enough to possess it. Great na- tions are formed by an amalgamation of blood, customs and religions. Believing themselves the chosen people of God, the Jews will never enter into such a com- bination. They will maintain the purity of their blood, the integrity of their lau- guage, the simplicity of their worship, and become a people withodt a home, a nation without a government. Fidelity to a great principle hath ever been attended with sacrifices. Already Jews are scorned, despised and persecuted by those who never knew God nor re- spected faith. It is well. I, for one, am content, for thus will a knowledge of the true God be preserved and disseminated throughout the earth; thus will the true Kirgdom of Heaven assume its sway over the hearts of men. Let Greek and Roman, Gaul and Briton, advance the uitimate temporal interests of mankind by blending together; born to a higher destiny, the Jew will ever preserve the mark of Israel upon his face, the impress of God upon his heart. VL Of great size and beautiful in its propor- tions, tne galley of Flavius Pollio was magnificent beyond any 1-had ever seen, the equal, I am sure, of the one that bore Cleopatra, that famous queen and de- stroyer of Antony, from Alexandria Lo Rome. As the chains were cast off and the stately vessel was rowed out upon the rippling bosom of the yellow Tiber, the sinking sun burst suddenly forth from the heavy clouds that all day long had obscured its face, and shone brightly upon the mighty city we were leaving be- hind us, Again, as on the morning of my arrival, paiace and hovel, portico and temple, obelisk an mpus, were bathed in warm sunshine. prospects were far brighter now.than they had been then, yet somehow, the shadows, growing longer and darker as I gazed, riveted my atten- tion, and shut out the bright portions of the wonderful picture. I turned mine eyes toward our palace on the Palatine Hill. It was dark and somber, as if frowning upon my ambitious quest. ‘“WNote the rainbow,” cried the master of the galley, as, in obedience to a signal from the piiot on the prow, he moved the heavy rudder. *“\/e shall have fair weath- er and a brave voyage.” As I turned mine eyes to the eastward and saw the bright hued arc hanging gracefully above the far distant sea, 1 re- membered that it was God who had placed the bow of promise there, and the shadows lifted from my heart. 1 might never again see the Eternal City with its magnificence, pride and vice; might ut- terly fail in my present ambition, but I felt, as never before, that the prediction of Milo Manlius would prove true, that a great destiny awaited me, and resolved to trust, more confidently than I had in the past, him who had painted it with the same brush that beautified the grapes in my father’s vineyard and the bubbles within the basin of the great fountain at Hebron. Our party was small, consisting only of Ruth, Manasseh, Polllo and myseif. I had expressed to Julia the desire that she should accompany us, having first ex- plained—for I feit that I could trust her to the utmost extremity—the object of our journey. “I will go, and that willingly, master, if thou commandest it,” she replied, “but I feel that I can serve thee far better by remaining in Rome. It is not because I detest and distrust Pollio, for I feel that I am safe under thy protection, but that I know his baseness and may learn some- thing to thy advantage during his and thy absence. Thy rellgion would regard it as superstition, but the gods have coun- seled me.” The prediction of the sallor proved cor- rect; the clouds broke and faded away before the freshen{nf breeze, and when, long after nightfall, we reached the mouth of the Tiber and entered the open sea the full moon rose grandly above the castern hills and assumed her regal scep- ter as divinely appointed ruler of the night. ur lutper dispatched—and it was a veritable banquet from which was absent no dainty procurable in Rome—our sup- per dispatched, we were entertained with music and dancing, several of Pollio’s nu- merous attendant slaves having been se- lected with reference to their accomplis! ments in those directions. At the repea ed request of our host, though with ev! dent reluctance, for it scarcely became a Jewish matron, Ruth finally consented to dance. Eschewing the complicated flf— ures and ;t:r in vogue at Rome, in which she won such unstinted praise &t our banquet, she essayed only the sim. measures of her native land. As I watched her small feet gleaming in the moonlight and listened to their musical clatter upon the deck, I seemed carried back to the stone dancing floor beside the wine press in my father's vineyard at Kerioth. Grace!wlle. swelling bosom and fascinating smifle were all present. I even fancied that I could see the twisted crown of pseudo-royalty gleaming above her dark tresses. 2 A low sigh of appreciation and satis- faction caused me to turn quickly. Brief as was the glance 1 took—#t caused not only the imaginary garland, but the real dancer to vanish from my sight. The sigh had escaped from Flavius Pollio, upon whose face was glowing a bruf sensuality that sent a thrill of dismay through my heart. A greater d T than we had con! plated DM‘.nff.lt daid not actully onfront us. I recalled tipsy words the gambler the night he reeled from our banqueting hall, and cursed mine own innocent stupidity. Ab- sorbed in the movements of his beloved one, Manasseh had not observed our host. What a sad suspicion I must communi- cate to him upon the first opportunity. Upon reflection, however, I determined to keep the matter secret. Joseph was far more impetuous than I, and a disclosure might bring immediate and ruinous re- sults. Besides, the look did not prove the existence of any fixed plan of violence or treachery. I would be on my guard and await results. I was soon glad that I had not acted upon my first impulse. The next morning Pollio spoke to me of Ruth, praising her in most unstinted terms. “I was never so near madness as last night,” said he. “There was never such another woman. To marry her I would surrender my tor- tune. No; that would not please her; I would give up.gaming, which would make decidedly to her pecuniary advantage. I was in a frenzy last night, thougn I said nothing. But I am a Roman noble, and she is my guest. As a gambler, to whom eny desirable thing is a legitimate stake, 1 still play fairly. 1 will first make thee Procurator of Judea, return you all in safety to Rome, and then lay siege to her, were she ten times a wife.” I liked the savage frankness of the man however low his ideas of morality. knew the high estimagion in which the Romans held hospitality, and had ‘- no fears of present treachery, although 1 almost trembled for the future. Flavius Pollio vroved himself a most agreeable traveling companion, to my surprise restraining himself from propos- ing a single game of dice. All day we sailed merrily along to the south and east, often passing mighty headlands and sometimes catching a glimpse of the green coast of Italia. At daybreak the following morning we passed the island of Aenaria and entered the bay of Ne- apolis. A more beautiful sight T have never be- held than that which now burst upon my enraptured vision. The blue sky seemed scarce less liquid than the clear water that rippled and danced brightly beneath it. To the eastward, on the mainland, rose, vine-clad and majestic, the stately mountain of Vesuvius, a seeming guard for the mighty cities of Herculaneum and Pomgell, which reposed serenely beside it. To the southward, across the expanse of bright waters, stood the two blue moun- tains of Capreae, with the city of the same name nestling between them, seem- ingly quite secure from the assaults of man and his vices. As I gazed upon it, 1 thought of mine own mountain-girdled Jerusalem, the governorship of which 1 had come hither to seek, and took com- fort from the comparison. Before noon we reached the strongly fortified, narrow passageway, a veritable gate, that afforded the only entrance to the city. After some pariey we were permitted to disembark and enter the re- ireal, where, for many months, the sov- ereign ruler of the world, Tiberius Caesar, had been secluded from the people he mis- governed and oppressed. Foilowed by slaves bearing our baggage, which con- tained a great treasure in gold and gems, we were conducted to the imperial palace, which occupied a commanding height. And now, for the figst time, I began to 1calize what the word “imperial’ meant. The magnificence I there beheld made our own boasted palace appear mean and in- significant in comparison. The wealth of the world could hardly, I thought, add to its splendor and completeness. But, as fluted columns, rich frescos and carved nymphs serve not to advance the lagging story of my life, nor bring me to the réal task I have set myself, I will attempt no Cescription of Caesar's gorgeous resi- dence. ‘We were ushered into a large umoccu- pied audience-room, where we were to await the pleasure of the Emperor, who had been apprised of our arrival. As an interview could not be hoped for at once, Poliio politely. volunteered to show us through the huge structure, where he appeared to be guite at home. Upon my declining the offer, Joseph, more out of policy than inclination, 1 fancled, de- parted with the gambler. They returned after an_ absence of something like an hour, and while Pollio exchanged little nothings of conversation with Ruth, Jo- h spoke with me apart. irer than a dream of beauty with- he whispered, “this place is fouler witkin than the nethermost depths of Gehenna. The groves of Aiexandria and Anuioch are sanctuaries of worship in cemparison, while Sodom and Gomorrah, whese vileness called down upon them the purifying fire of neaven, were but waiting-rooms to this vast charnel-house of vice and perversion, in whose devising the ingenuity of devils must have aided the invention of man. Unless we escape from this place we are surely lost, for Tiberius is-a far worse monster than his bitterest enemies have painted him.” ‘lhe low yet tearful words of m comrade quite unnesved and fairly de- prived me of the power of re- plying. 1 looked at Ruth, beautiful beyond description, and inwardly cursed the blind ambition that had brougnt ner to such a piace. Beiore 1 had recovered my composure Milo Manlius entered the apartment. He had changed in nothing since I saw him last in Rome, save thac his toga seemed greasier, beard in greater disorder. “l come trom tie lkimperor,’ said he; after greeting us a:l courteously. ‘“‘After cursing me and my hard meinods these two days he hath acceded to all my de- mands, and ended by admiring my firm- ness and sagacity. = Wearied with long haggling over a paltry matter of usury, he natn deputed me 10 negodate witn you tnis_business touciing tne appointment ot Judas, called Iscariot, to the place now held by Pontius Pilate, that of Pro- curator of Judea. And first, he saith that in raising a Jew to such a high position, he will likewise raise a scandal and a storm in the empire.” “Which means <¢hat we must raise a large sum,” suggested Pollio, laughing at what he thougnt of his own’ wit. “Tiberius thinks solely of the good of the state,” the old man ‘went on, in tones plainly ironical. “’Twill injure the public service to send the Jews a Governor of their own people. Yet there may be off- sets, compensations, rather, for evils, He gge({foalnone{vg) ‘buyflfurn for the people e. at w ou ot T you pay for the ““I'en million sestertii,” who had undertaken to gotiation. “Ten million,” repeated Malius, e his hair and replied Joseph, conduct the ne- start of surprisi Tis a v e ei_g_r\xvsum. But filfiyou ;gfi muc. e can,” replied my friend; “we arranged for that amount. We cuneh ;?t here to bargain, and - mum sum O‘l once."” Shiefle the ahax U l“i:' T cannot in consclence and decency de- *with his eyes, mand more—not that I,am overstocked with either commodity, &s you merchants would say—indeed, I Z lieve I could have closed the matter for something less. At the same time it is wise to pay hand- somely, for thus will you secure, not only the appointment but the favor of the Emperor. Hast the money with you?" ““We have one-fourth the amount, which we will leave 25 an earnest.” - 'Tis well; 'tis sufficient,” replied the old usurer. “And yet,” he nddet{.’ after a brief pause, during which he stood with cotracted brows and pursed lips, as if con- sidering a difficulty. he Emperor dis- trusts Jews. He may question your abil- ity to pay the balance. I would suggest that you make out & schedule of l.lf you possess, with the present value and loca. tion of the various items, to serve as a guarantee of your ablility.” 1 have such a document, which I pre- pared in anticipation of this demand,” :ndp{g:;filep{&)duc:d and handed Manlius n whereon was f; scheduled all our possessions.” AMhenlly. “Fifty million sestertil,’”” sald the old man, after he had studied the scroll for some time in silence. “‘You have not acted .e'x::a_yanntly. For prudence give me a ew. ““And shall we not see the Em v asked Ruth, who was possessed 3?’3-5:71- ity in proportion to her wit and beauty. t really desire 1t7” “Thy wish shall be gratified. Tiberi is bard, cruel, avaricious, quite a nm: -ur." in fact, htm! he n.velr refused so small a request from so lovel, Look thy fiil.” Y. % a0% In an Instant white beard, tangled hair and greasy toga were lying upon the fioor, while our staring eyes fell upon the ‘erect figure and sneering face of Tiberius Caesar, Emperor of Rome. VIL “How dost thou like him, falr lady?” asked the metamorphosed usurer, who bore a striking resemblance to his numer- ous_effigies displayed in the public places of Rome. “Rather better than I expected,” replied Ruth, smiling in her admirable self-pos- session. ““An Emperor who hath time and inclination to masquerade for the enter- tainment of his poor subjects cannot sure- 1y be so black as thou hast been painted.” “I am glad to hear thee say that,” returned Tiberius laughingly, had resolved to this day what darken thy character, and was doubtful if I could succeed. I see that I have been overmodest. And thou, fair sir, who dependest on charms for thy Venuses and on God for thy salvation, when wilt be ready to depart for Judea?”’ “Whenever I receive thy gracious per- miseion,” I answered boldly, for Ruth’s manner had given me a little heart. ‘i will dispatch thee, then, this day. 'Twas not in the contract as negotiated by my faithful broker, Milo Manlius, but I am moved to send with thee thy friend, who bid so handsomely. Were I selfish, as 1 am said to be, I would retain him to conduct the imperial entertainments, but I lack the heart to separate two such sa- gacious, politic and ambitious statesmen. Besides, I wish him to be where he can guelg consult the sacred books of his * prophets, that he may be able to teil me the day and year when the Jews will conquer Rome. I will esteem it a great favor, friend Manasseh, if thou canst so read thine oracles as to permit the em- pire to last my time, which will not be long in the course of nature. Beyond that, I care little; indeed, I am at present laboring to make good the words of thy prophets by rearing a‘hydra for the peo- ple l?i‘ Rome, and a Phaeton for all the world.”’ There was something terrible in the sardonic tones of the aged monster, who thus likened his grandnephew and heir, Caius Caligula, to a snake and to that fabulous son of Helios, the sun god, who rearly reduced the earth to smoke and asbes by driving too near it his father's flaming chariot. Unable to satiate his wicked cruelty durlng his lifetime, he fairiy reveled in the direful prospects of his most unhappy people. “All is now arranged,” resumed the Em- peror, as he seated himself upon a curi- ously wrought and richly carved chair of old’ and ivory, ‘‘save only the details. n what grand state, my Pollio, shall we send the new procurator and his friend to Judea? We must have an eye to the glorz of the empire and the conciliation of those fighting, prophesying Jews.” nsidered from the standpoint of art,” replied the gambler, in_ mocking tones, imitative of serious refletion, “I would suggest wild-boars’ skins, but with an eye to economy, which is quite as im- portant as glory and coreiliation, would recommend two good stout casks. Thus wilt thou be able to buy more corn for the poor.” “There spoke my Pollio,” shouted Tiberius, smiting his hands together and fairly roaring with laugnter. “Thou hast all the poetic fancy of thy grandsires. It shall be done as thou say'st. But that 1 have sworn never again to leave Capreae I would myself go to Jerusalem as their care-taker. I would, rather than take a look at the torments of the damned. Note the expression on the face of Pilate as he opens the gift of his imperial master, whi we will label, ‘Oysters from Britain Cruel as is the grave, there are some things harder to confront. 1 mention it not to mine own credit—I were a beast to have had other feelings—but in that mo- ment, when all hope, or, rather, every prospect of life, had gleparted, I thought not of mine own fate but of that of the devoted and late happy pair, whom my ambition had brought, the one to death, the other to a condition still more to be deplored. In the extremity of my an- guish I stole a glance at Ruth. Her face was pale, though composed, her SOrrow- ful eves turned upen Joseph. ° “By the way, there remains the lady,” suggested Pollio, who had noted my quick look. “I take it that she falls of right to my share.” “Not so,” said Tiberius sternly. “And wherefore not? ’'Twas I that brought her hither. That Judas, yonder, thought my admiration of her charms too warm, and, but for my clever @ip- lomacy, trouble might have ensued tuat had imperiled the whole enterprise.” “'Twas at my orders,” growled the Em- peror, “I mean-the bringing her here, not thy blunders on the way.” “Thy orders? Surely thou jesteth?" “l am not_wont to_ jest, except with women—and Jews. Did’st not receive the letter I sent thee by the hand of Jason?” “I surely did not.” “I sent thee such orders by Jason. Thou had’'st the wit to divine my wishes, and hast proven thyself a trusty servant. The girl is mine.” “Let us leave it to the gods,” and the inveterate gambler produced a small ivory dice-box. “The girl against half their fortune; first deducting, mind, the thousand pounds of gold I delivered that we might the more surely gain all they possessed.” “Agreed. Shall I throw?” ‘After I have looked at the dice; I know thy tricks, my Pollio.” The great Emperor of Rome examined the bits of ivory as critically as a house- wife would a fowl in the market. An- other moment and they were rattling noisily upon the marble pavement. When it came Tiberius’ throw I watched him curiously and saw him adroitly change the dice. “I've_won! She’s mine!” he shouted, as he threw away the box. “But be not cast down, my Flavius,” he added quick- heir house on the Palatine shall be owled Pollio, as he recovered his implement of gaming. “Will he deprive me of the sound of their last groans?”’ “Not unless thou art struck with sud- den deafness, for I am weary of this :lrmly-g and would, myself, see some ac- on.” As he spoke the old man, in whose cat- like eyes—'tis sald he can see in the dark —was shining savage lust for blood, thrice clapped his right hand with his left. In an instant, almost as if by enchantment, twelve brawny men, each armed with a i,nvelln and double-edged sword, appeared efore us. Without speaking, Tiberius raised h deep-veined left hand to a leve then began stroking his long yellow hair. That this was a signal I did not doubt. An instant later I saw one of the soldiers, a veritable gladiator in build, who stood on the extreme right of the Yuty, just behind Joseph, grasp firmly his huge sword. I saw it flash up- ward through a glint of sunshine that en- tered the room. Then I closed mine eyes and my heart seemed to stand still, There was a dull sound, a sgream of horror from Ruth, o heavily falling body. the noise of some object roliing over the marble flagging, the sensation of some- thing striking my foot, In whatever awful form death ma; come to me I shall not be startled borr{- fled, as at that moment, for I did not doubt that the head of my friend, the comrade of my heart, lay at my feet. Buch fearful suspense was beyond the power of mortal to endure, and I opened m;ne eye;.l & ” saw Manasseh supporting the - ing ToRaBOR RNt (o N Face otttZIE::;- rius wreathed with a smile that would have done credit to Satan, a ghastly hu- man head at my feet, and the body to which it had so recently been united in the full strength of life, still twitching in the throes of death. These things I saw, successively and distinctly, and turned mine eyes away from the awful scene. fled. These words, in the cold, sneering of the late usurer and present Emp':;e:, struck upon my hearing a moment later. ““This Barbatus' the old man went on, “not satisfied with the refusal of his cen.. turion, and presuming on some kindly notice’ I have given him in the past, sought me out this morning and asked for leave of absence to visit his mother, who lieth sick at Pompeil. I promised him leave and have kept my word. He scarcely merited death, you ‘may say. ‘Would in the future, had he lived, T make hath his leave; I hope he is satis- no doubt. Besides, I wished to give these presumptuous Jews a foretaste of what awaits them. Stand forth!” The laconic orders of the old tyrant were evidently well understood by his sanguinary soldiers, for in an Instant Joseph and myself were selzed and placed side by side before him. “Now, Lucius,” he cried, “set them all a pattern for the double stroke. A thous- and sestertil if thou .doest it without boggling.” «sir,” I began, determined to make one 1ast effort for the life of the friend I loved next to my father and Jehovah, “for my- self I ask nothing—"" «Tis well,” interrupted the smiling monster, “for nothing will be granted thee, save a death that will bring Lucius honor and gold. Reserve thy words: for the future life in which you foolish Jews believe, I know thy plea, have often nstened to it. The ambition was thine. That is true, though I beligve I helped implant it in thy heart. Manasseh aided thee only out of good fellowship. The lady is as innocent of offending me as an unborn babé. ‘I hate arguments and grant all thou would’st say. /But time is wealth, pleasure, life!” . I saw the monster raise his terrible left hand to the level of his leonine eyes, noted even in that last moment the swelling cords upon it; heard the javelin of the ex- ecutioner drop noisily to the floor, saw him spit upon his hands and firmly grasp the hilt of his huge sword, then bowed my head and commended my soul to God. ““Hold! Hold! I command it in the name of the Empire!” I opened mine eyes and saw the sword of Lucius slowly descending to his side. Then, in common with all present, I turned and saw the somewhat bent though still tall form of a very aged wo- man leaning heavily upon a forked cane. The most unexpected of all events had surely come to pass, for, upon a second glance, I discovered, almogt-behind her, the lithe figure and begutiful, earnest face of Julia, my Grecian slavi VIL In an instant the head of every soldier was bowed, and all stepped from be- tween the Emperor and the venerable wo- man, whose authoritative words had saved, or, rather, reprieved our two de- voted lives. Bent beneath the weight of more than four-score years, with snow- white hair, deeply seamed face and trembling limbs, she who had dared to invade the secret retreat and interrupt the chosen diversion of the great Emper- or of Rome, still possessed the conscious- ness of power. It shone, flashed, rather, from eyes that would not have ill become the face of youth and beauty; it mani- fested itself in compressed lips, frowning brows and dilated nostrils; was undenia- bly present in the almost ghastly but still majestic poise of her withered head, the commanding sweep of her blasted, be- jeweled arm. With a halting step that not even her forked stick could altogether correct, she advanced to within a few paces of the carved chair of state. Stopping abruptly, she bowed almcst deferentially; then, as if determination had overcome the infirmi- ties of age, straightened her tall form to the last inch of its height, and looked un- flinchingly, sternly, into the indignant but still cat-like eyes of Tiberius Caesar. “It is Livia Drusilla, the Emperor's mother,” whispered Julia, who, unob- served in the intense interest that riveted every eye and the confusion attendant on the withdrawal of the soldiers, had ap- flrm:lchcd unseen and timidly touched my and. “Thou hast saved my life,” I returned warmly, as 1 drew her a little apart. {How came it to pass?” ‘Most naturally,” she replied, returning, I fancied, the almost conclusive pressure of my hand. “The gods employ the simplest means to work their pleasure. Thou had’'st been but a short time gone when, in the street, I met a man named Jason, who in the days when I was Pol- lio's slave, had sometimes brought him letters, He knew me instantly, and smiled as if overjoyed to have come un- expectedly to the end of his journey. ‘Take ghat té thy master,’ he said, thrus ing a sealed packet into my hand; ‘I stantly, for it is most important.’ other moment and he was gone.' “Thou,open’dst it?” said I. ‘“Without the slightest compunction or delay, for I well knew that it concerned thee, ‘Twas from Tiberius, written with his own hand, and disclosed a dark plot against thee and_ thy friends, a plot which thou hast already fully fathomed. I had told thee I could serve thee by remaining in Rome, and resolved to make good my boast. The case was a hard one, since the Emperor is supreme ruler; but necessity and devotion some- times quicken wits~ I well knew that bit- terness existed between Tiberlus and Livia, his royal mother, something of whose favor I had won by my songs while Pollio’s slave. I flew to the im- perial palace and readily secured an au- dience, for few pay her attention now. My story, fortified by’ the letter, enraged her beyona measure. She swore by the gods that she would put an end to the reign of blood and cruelty, now that she had convineing evidence; would save your lives or lose her own in the attempt. Within an hour we were upon the Tiber, and arrived here not an instant too soon.” I thanked the devoted girl as only one who had just been rescued from an awful impending death could have done. . She made no reply in words, but the height- ened color in her fair cheeks, the heaving of her breast and the shining tear:drops that weighted down her eyelids, without shutting out the wonted look of faith and earnestness, spoke eloquently of the satis- faction that pervaded her gentle heart. A voice broke the charm that had héid me almost spellbound, and I looked in the direction whence it proceeded. The tall, emaciated form of Livia, as erect and commanding as when, the .wife of Octavius Caesar, she first became Em- press of Rome, still stood majestically, defiantly, before her son and sovereign, Whose position had scarcely changed since her first appearance upon the sanguinary scene. He sat with his arms extended upon the supports of twisted gold and ivory on either side, his face, mottled with red pimples, looking white by contrast with the purple silken cushion against which reclined his yellow-crowned head. His hard features wore a look of undis- guised astonishment, while the sneer on his moblie upper lip spoke eloquently of contempt and disdain. It was the Emperor that had broken the silence, which I thought augured well for us, since it seemed to indicate that Livia possessed the stronger-will. “To what kind divinity am I indebted for this most welcome Visit of my Im- perial mother?” he asked, in the cold, cut- {ing, ironical tones of which he was such a consummate master. “I fancled I had lost her noble favor, that she no longer delighted in my wmg;nv. leed, 'twas to relileve her of what, in my dutiful, fillal love, I conceived to be my disagree- able presence, that I was led to take up mine abode in this lonely and rocky isle. Has thy chastening hand been lifted, my fair lady mother? May I, without offend- ing thee, return to my rightful place in Rome?” . “Return to thy rightful place among men,” she answered, in tones as severe as his were mockingly polite. ‘‘Become a man instead of a tryant; rejoice in the approving shouts and still more moving smiles of a contented, happy people, rath- er than take pleasure in their sufferings, groans and death. Cast out the devii o cruelty and greed that possesses thee, and become & blessing instead of a curse to Rome.” E “‘Complinients are by n& means confined to the ng-board and brothel,” whis- pered Pollio, who stood near me, and seemed to have actually forgotten the gic occurrences of the last half hour; they invade palaces and are present at the meetings of royl.l?.;; e nd, “Words of such mild rep: maternal counsel, are doubly sweet when they issue from the lips of one who, for more than four-score years, hath prac- ticed every known virtue and sadly la- mented that the gods have limited the ptous and benevolent theater of human ac- . ‘What means this butchery? tion,” said Tiberius, with a mocking bow of adulation. “Thou are enshrined in the hearts of all Romans, fair and doting mother, and I would, for thy sake, that these foolish Jews were right in. their faith, and that there remained other and brignter worlds for thee to conquer.” “Tiberius,” replied the withered old woman, with what seemed a touch of real sadness, “‘thou wert cruel from thy birth, delighted In thine infancy to pull flies to pieces, in thy youth to torment thy brother Drusus—'" 3 “Born In the bed of Octavius,” inter- rupted the sneering Emperor, “‘and that while his father and mine yet lived. Let us conceal no dark strains in this public recital of our somewhat questionable fam- ily history, my dearest mother. But this propensity to kill flies and men'"—here he pointed smilingly to the dismembered head ©of the unfortunate soldler, that stood, with gaping eyes upon the pavement— “whence came it, gentle lady? Not from Tiberius Claudius Nero, whom all the world loved, saving only the enemies he subdued in battle, and thyself. I had al- most sald he showed his amiability in re- signing thee to the arms of Octavius, but self-interest, sheer weariness, doubtless leé him to make that noble sacrifice, Thou, who trampled upon honor, laughed at constancy and murdered love hast not far to seek for the germ of my cruelty.” ‘While these cutting words flowed from the Emperor’s lips as smoothly and rip- plingly as old wine from a crystal goblet, the manner of Livia sensibly changed, anger fast gaining the ascendency, ‘‘And was it for this that I brought thee into the world?” she almost shrieked, the decrepitude of age disappearing before the rising flood of her wrath. “If I mar- ried Octavius 'twas at his command, and because the gods had revealed to me that he would wear the imperial purple and rule the world!” “With thy assistance,” suggested her n. ‘“‘Aye, verily. Without my ambition, my promptings, my active ald, Octavius had never become Augustus. From the first I planned for thee, prayed for thee, wrought for thee. Thou knowest ‘twas I who made thee Emperor of Rome.” “That thou might'st reign through me, or, failing that, at least divide the honors and renownof my exalted position, as thou did’st, to all intents and purposes, with Augustus, Well, thy plan failed; I refused, in time, to recognize thy right to dictate, and took the liberty of reigning myself. I have ever evaded quarrels and conten- tions with thee, but now thou forcest a trial of strength. Thou wilt find me the stronger, gentle mother.’ The rage of Tiberius had triumphed over his mocking politeness. He no longer re- clined languidly in his chair of state, but sat bolt upright, his yellow hands clutch- ing.the arms. His cat-like eyes took on the ferocity of a tiger, and a white foam gathered upon his lips. A veritable ex- plosion seemed imminent. “Before thy birth,” said Livia, with re- turning composure, ignoring his accusa- tions, which were, for the most part true enough, “before I knew what would be thy sex, even, I sought by all means of divination to forecast thy future. Every sign proclaimed that thou should’st sit upon a throne. What fwonder, then, that I forced Octavius to build one for thy occupancy and removed the obstacles that arose in thy path? “That I might know, beyond all perad- venture, what the gods had in store for my unborn offspring, I held, for three whole weeks together, the egg of a hen in my hands. Hatched at length by the same warmth that was developing thee, a fine cock-chicken with a‘ well-developed comb and spurs came forth from the shell. Couid I then doubt the sex and destiny of my child? Would that I had crushed the dumb oracle in my hand and strangled thee in the hour of thy birth!” “The gods forbid that I should question the authority of divirations,” repiied the old man, the fierce rage depicted on his face giving place, in part, to an expres- sion of superstitious awe. ‘‘From boy- hood the augurs and oracles have guided my steps, controlled my every action. I thank thee for thy faith and patience, sweet mother, but wish that thou had’st employed the egg of a serpent. The pro- duct would have prefigured thy present estimate of thy most loving son. Besides, 'twould have been born with fangs to stay thy strangling hand, as I now protect my- self and the dignity of the empire. “I will admit that thou did'st plot for me—and for thyself. And so, having erected a throne, that the prophecy of thy game-cock might _be fulfilled, thou removed’'st the obstacles that arose between me and it? am right glad to learn it, since some have said that 'twas I, not thee, who caused Posthumus Agrippa to be put to death before the demise of his Iimperial grandfather, Augustus, was made public. In truth, we acted conjointly, most virtuous mother, as we have in some other like cases. I rejoice that thou avowest it; not that 1 would. have the public hear and believe it, for I am over- Jjealous of the fair fame of the widow of the great Augutus,.but for the easing of mine own conscience.’”” This last shaft had struck a tender spot within the wrinkled bosom of the old Em- press, for she winced perceptibly and lost something of her erect bearing. Her past life was well known, and few in Rome doubted but she had aided her son in pro- curing the taking-off of young Agribpa, son of Augustus’ daughter Julia, the di- vorced wite of Tiberius. “If I did, in a moment of weakness, countenance wickedness,” she replied, ““twas because the gods ordained it, and thou had'st lightened the work by re- moving his elder brothers; Caius and Lucius. 'Twas a bad action, and one that 1 would repent, had it not been neces- sary. 7 murder Calus and Luctu: shouted the Emperor, springing indignantly to his feet. “Thou sham’st me with thy faise words. Speak not; I know thy excuse; thou had’st forgotten. 'Twi{e a long memory that could recall all®thy crimes. Thou hast instructed Rome in the art of domestic murder, until the life of father and son, husband and wife, are scarce safe from poison. I know whence came my fly-killing proclivities. Nay,” he in- terposed as the now trembling woman emed on the point of interrupting him, suggest not that all my nephews, save only foolish Claudius and Caligula, whom I am saving as & rich legacy for Rom have chanced to die of late. 'Tis my .oo:l fortune. anpy Priam, who survived all his children.” Such is the present ruler of mankind, with prospects of a worse one—if that indeed, be possible—to succeed him. If God manifest not now himself anew the world is indeed lost, and he may well re- pent that he created it. “What say’'st thou, mother?” asked Ti- berius as he sank back into his seat, smil- ing because he had been the victor in the strange conflict of lnmmnnunnéfl"lhul we sign a truce to these pleasantries for the present?” :m. ‘*Tis well, my I was carried away by the warinth of my feelings. What we have sald may be repeated. ; “Not by Pollio; he hath far weightier secrets of mine in his keeping.” p/ “Nor. by Julla, yonder, late his slave. But these others?” said Livia, pointing to Joseph and myself. “They will never refer to the matter, at least not where it will harm us. They are about to die; indeed, owe an hour ot life to the good fortune of thy coming.” * “I came to save them, Tiberius. They shall not dle.” “Then the hand of Lucius hath lost its cunning. What, ho!” The Emperor clapped his hands and the eleven soldiers instantly entered the partment. .o“dB“" :nbomu. I have sworn to the B “Then thou must find means to propitiate their wrath, for these accursed Jews, than whom I have newer hated men more fervently, dle at once. Stand forth!" ‘As_before, we were seized and placed side by side before our merciless, all-pow- erful judge. *“Forbear, Tiberfus! Would'st call upon our heads the wrath of the gods?” “Thy head, thou mean’st. I have not sworn, Now, Luclus, steady thy arm. Two thousand sestertii for a clean cut.” “But the gods forbid it!” shrieked Livia. “I have consulted the augurs.” “Hold but one moment, Lucius, if thou pleas’st,” said the Emperor, bowing with mock consideration to the brawny soldier. “When did’st consult them, my gentle mother?” “In truth, even as I was leaving Rome, on my way to the ggllery.” “The Stagirite, who instructed a man far greater than I, because divineiy be- gotten, Alexander of Macedon, observed that none will belleve one Wwho is ac- customed to speaking falsely, even if by chance he tells the truth. What said the augurs, or, rather, what say’st thou that they did'st say?” “That these Jews should not die at thy hands. That thou would’st dismiss them with a safe conduct to their own coun- “A most happy and convenient augury. Come, Lucius, we'll test its truth. “That they should become famous in the world and be remembered by men until the end of time.” “What do I hear! Hold, Lucius! hold! ‘What did’st thou say, good mother?” Never have I observed such a change in the manner of man as came over Ti- berfus Caesar at that moment. His cheeks blgncned, his eyes stared, his yei- low hands’shook, his whole massive form trembled as if stricken by a sudden palsy. Quick to perceive her advantage, Livia repeated her remark, with added em- phasis. “F‘Pol, stumbling, forgetful fool that I am!” cried the Emperor as he seized and tugged at his long, tawny hair. “Can one defeat the will of the gods and live? The augurs revealed their future to me in those very words, on the very day I first met them in Poilio’s house—how well I remember it now—with this in addition: That one of them was to feed with hogs; the other to owe his life, or liberty, or something equally dear, to the kind offices of the same bristly brutes,” and the old man, seemingly exhausted, fell backward into his chair of state. Superstition, the hardest master Into whose keeping man can render himselt, controlled Tiberius Caesar, body and soul. He who knew not God and cared not for the happiness or misery of man groveled abjectly before the self-created demon that possessed his mind. “I have wronged you, friends, and I crave your pardon,” sald he, Springing forward and laying a hand upon the arm of each of us, while tears actually stood in his bleaked eyes and his voice trembled with fear. “I call your friends, because the gods have favored, have saved you. Listen, Flavius Polllo: I charge thee to take these two men and these two women, with all the property they brought with them, to Rome. Depart this instant. Once there, aid them in disposing of their houses and goods to-the best advantage and with the greatest possible dispatch. That accomplished, they are to have safe conduct to depart, with all their posses- sions, for Judea. 1 may be cruel, murder- ous even, but I still respect the decrees of the gods. Fall not, my Pollio, on peril of my displeasure and thy life. Mother, thou hast done me this ddy the greatest service since thou placed me on the throne of Augustus—for "twas thou, thou and the gods, that did it. Thou must spend a few days here with me. I'll show thee how I dispatch those whom the gods do not da- fend, by throwing them from a tall cuff, I'm sure ‘twill please thee. Come.” The aged woman, whom envy and am- bition to rule, not motives of real hu- manity, had sent to our rellef, smiled triumphantly as she took the proffered arm of her royal son, and, with the fur- ther aid of her forked stick, tottered feebly out of the audience-room, whence the soldiers had already withdrawn. What pen could describe our feelings; transported from the deepest gloom to the brightest hope; from death to life. In the wildest joy we kissed and em- braced each other. “I congratulate you all,” said Pollio, as he picked up thcdpu'chment that Tiberius had dropped an ated himself in his official chalr, “And now, a serious word with you.” IX, Well might Flavius Pollio have a seri- ous word with us whom he had so griev- ously wronged. There is a point beyond which shamelessness can hardly go, and, in my judgment, the man who had so basely betrayed our confidence, so delib- erately bartered away our lives in ex- change for our own fortune, had sureiy reached it. I knew him to be well en- dowed with policy and abundantly sup- plied with reasons, yet was curious to learn the line of defense he would adopt. There was eager anticipation also in the eyes of my companions, excepting those of Julia, which still retained their startled, corrowing expression. “I crave your favor for a moment,” said Pollio, “that I may rid your eyes of a most unpleasant sight.” With this he arose and hurried from the apartment. Some time elapsed befors he returned, accompanied by four of the sol- diers who had twice before terrified us by their appearance, among their number Lucius, who scowled as his eyes fell upon us in chagrin at losing his two thousand sestertii, I made no doubt. These quickly removed the remains of their murdered comrade, while Pollio resumed his chalr, motioning us to seats upon couches that stood near by. ‘“Upon the face of things I must admit that ‘circumstances make rather against me,” he began, with ave face and in most serious tones. y honor, to put the matter in the mildest possible man- ner, hath fallen quits low in your estima- tio.n. But I assure you that I had no fear that Tiberius would actually put you to_death.” “I can acquit thes on that score,”” re- plied Joseph. “I saw no marks of fear in thy face; to entertain that feeling was our part.” 4 sgoke bunglingly,” explained the gam- bler, blushing at the retort his ill-chosen ‘words had called forth. “I mean, that at no time were you in any real danger.” “Thou would’st have been somewhat less shflo-opmcfl had Lucius raised his sword athwart thy neck,” smilingly re- i;me"{ my good-natured but quick-witted en “Scarcely. I had not forgotten what the gods revealed to you through Tiberius of your future. I was on thé point of sug- gesting it when that power-worshiping ‘woman, appeared and spolled my plan. But for that I would have fulfilled my promise and made Judas governor of Judea.” N I asked, with a shrug of in- “How?" cregumy. it » “By convincing him that in & that 'you were to become famous :alrflgg gods had appointed him to be a means of your advancement. None knows as I do the hold that superstition hath secured on that wicked and cruel man. To ad- vance {m interests, as well as to protect myself, 1 was forced to plot with him. It Livia takes a notion to depart, as she may well be expected to do within an hour, I can yet attain that end.” The Greeks have an to the effect that & burnt child has a wholesome dread of fire. Like most seemingly wise say- ings, it lacks much of being universally true. Unreasonable, impossible as it may seem, my heart fairly bounded at his sug: gestion, and the ambition, which 1 had thought a thousand times dead, revived within my breast. Of course,” continued Pollio, in & re- flective manner, “the Emperor will not now, despite all his avarice, accept a price for thine appointment, but, rather than hurt the pride of two friends, I will take his place in that regard. Yoy can arrange the matter with me.” “We will leave everything in thy hands, E'hnd Polllo,” saild "Manasseh, quickly, and depart at once. Whether success- ful or not the ten million sestertii shall be thine.” “Ten million?” repeated Pollio, with an inflection of astonishment. “No sum hath been agreed upon between us; that is a question yet to be settled:” These words, but more.the manner of the speaker, which was cold and calcu- lating, sent my ambitious ho flying back into the oblivion to which I had pre- viously consigned them. I stole a look at Joseph, upon whose face I réad, not in- N\t ST (= SN S — L L SO 7