The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

listen to the sweetest song ever trilled by Horace . " "Are you not proud , then , of your fame as a soldier ?" " Where should I be ? Rome has many a braver

warrior than Caius Pabius ; and I have seen doughtier deeds performed by a poor soldier than ever were dreamed of by the most valiant captain . '' " Still a noble descent , and a famous name must

ever produce gallanter soldiers than can be found in the ranks of the common people . '' " It may be so , and in a manner it is so , for a man of birth dare not tarnish the proud fame of his ancestors . Yet bravery ancl honour belong to

all classes and to all ages , and the time will come when from the obscurest persons will spring - the noblest families , even as many a noble river has its rise in some mean hillock . Birth undoubtedly is much , education more , a noble birth may be

said to be the unpolished diamond , but it requires education to make its beauty shine . " "Your cousin then is perfect ?" " He is far superior to me , both in true courage and poesy . " " Is he too a poet , do you remember any of his verses ? " v

"Numbers , but tiiey are scarcely fit for a lady ' s ear , they breathe too much of the sternness of life . " " Let me hear one before I judge . " Caius paused and then repeated these verses : " Sic itur ad astra" —the way would you know ?

"Tis down tlie dart vnllies , up mountains of snow : 'Tis out in the ocean , where wild tempests howl ; "lis up in mid ether , whore sullen clouds scowl , "lis out in the fields , 'tis encompass'd by bars" Sie itur ad astra "—the way to the stars .

"lou must wade through the war-field , thigh deep in red gore ; O ' er musty old volumes by midnight lamp pore Must waste out a lifetime in anguish and pain , Itfust sleep in the snowdrift , and couch in the rain , To win up to glory , and fame's golden cars , "Sic itur ad astra , " 'tis the way to the stars .

Dear kinsmen must fall 'fore your step of disdain , Aud love in its first blood be nip't , crusli'd and slain . The flowers they must wither , the ripe crops decay , The full harvest rot , and the forest grow grey . The heart ' s blood grow cold in humanity ' s wars" Sic itur ad astra , " to win to the stars .

And standing alone on a lofty hill ' s head , With wild glaring eyes staring down on the dead ; From a throne of thigh-hones , with a skull for a crown , Witli no joy in the heart , on the brow a black frown ; You have travelled in blood , 'mid tumults and wars , " Sic itur ad astra , " the way to the stars .

" Although very mournful , " said Phryne , with an unconscious sigh , clasping her beautiful hands " it rings with a sweet truthfulness . Glory , honour , fame , wealth , what are they after all to content and happiness . "

"Surely , lady , your life must be happy , " answered Caius , looking at her with an earnest tenderness . "

" Oh , yes , " replied Phryne , with a start , and crimsoning , "I was talking of those ambitions , ones who , striving to grasp the stars , overlook in their madness , the true stars af life . I should like to know your cousin . "

"You flatter Adrian . I am sure he would delight in your converse . He has gone from Rome for a period , but when he returns I will bring him hither . "

" ¦ Cains , " asked Lucius Decius , one of the guests , " is it true that Trajan meditates an expedition to the East ?" " Nothing has been definitely arranged yet , but the disturbed state of the Eastern provinces

demand his attention . Our young soldiers are eager for war . " "The very children seem infected with the . spirit . You will accompany the Emperor , will yon not ?"

" Undoubtedly . " " Then to you I shall confide one of my cubs ,, and I trust you will see his claws properly trimmed . " "Trust me for that , Decius . If hard blows can

sicken , the soldiers under me always seek the heat of the battle . " " Aye , they have won you the name of Caius . the Invincible , still I do not wish my boy killed

altogether . "I can promise him hard blows , but not a cuirass from , death . Still it takes a strong blow to kill a Decius . " "I will trust him to you , " was the gratified

reply . "Were you not timid , " asked Phryne , " when first you rushed upon the enemy ?" " Timid ! no . From my earliest days I had looked forward to my first battle , and ivhen it

came , I rode beside the great Emperor , whose eye , as it turned upon me , filled my soul with ardour , and I could have rushed upon a Titan with that gaze following me . " "I should have thought you would have been afraid . "