The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

to me than Jove ' s red thunderbolt , thy sigh more direful than a hurling storm , that carries from the face of nature all the flowering gems which make her beautiful . Yea , sooner would I lap myself in Phlegethon , with every fury taunting by my side , than that a moment ' s pain should knit thy sunny brow . "

Phryne gazed upon the passionate youth with growing- consternation . Such language she had never listened to before , and she murmured , while a vague fear of impending danger , for which she could not account , fluttered through her heart .

" What god can nerve him thus to speak ? He shakes my soul as a leaf trembles on the gusty blast of Boreas , and now I feel awake within me a fire that will burn eternally , and peace will only come to me when dwelling within his smile . "

Then casting aside her embroidery , she seized Caius by the hands , and gazing into his eyes said , " Wilt thou love me , love me firm and true , nor ever change ? Men see so many fairwomen , andbask them in the light of a thousand eyes , that I fear thou wilt hereafter forget me , and leave me desolate !"

Raising his eyes to hers , Caius answered in tones of ringing fervency . " Sooner will yonder glorious orb of heaven , cease in his daily travel over our earth , than I forget thee , Phryne . Fear not , nor doubt my faith ; for sooner shall I cease to pray

to heaven , than cease to think of , dream of , love but thee . 0 what joy to know that thou lovest me for thou art far above me , thou fairest one , as any star that gems yon untracked sea ; but not to beauty only does my heart look up , for fairer

flowers bloom than the rose , yet none possess its perfume ; many are as fair as thou in maiden bloom , but none possess thy matchless modesty and noble mind , that makes thee peer the rare angelic throng . Dearest , I look on thee as on

some good the wold wots little of ; and thee I love , as blindly loves a babe its mother ' s eyes , before the light of reason comes to show her watchful care . I love thee better far than words can tell , for thou liast taught me to understand how the

great Jove loves our sinful race . " "Hove thee , Caius , " answered Phryne , deadly pale , " it is all that I can say . " " Oh blessed hour that hears these priceless words . "

" Let me go hence , " said Phryne rising , and passing her hand across her brow . "I feel so tremulous . Nay , " she added , a wan smile play-

The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

ing over the deadly pallor of her countenance , a . t seeing a shadow pass across her lover ' s face , " but a short space and I shall return to thee . Ah , do not be sad ! Take this kiss , and with it all my heart . "

Eagerly did the young Roman receive the first fond kiss of love . " Think of- me , Caius , until I return to thee again . " " Think of thee , Phryne ! I ever think of thee . "

The unhappy girl rushed from the room in , agony . On the landing she met Lais , who asked her in a hurried whisper" Is he yours ?" " Yes , " replied Phryne , hurrying past , and in .

the secrecy of her apartment , gave vent to theagony which thrilled through her heart . " Zeus , father , what have I done to suffer so ,, what have I done that my life should at its fount have been tainted with crime . 0 heaven , I feel

the past rush in like seas upon a long abandoned shore , and hurling down with resistless force all the cunning of man . Past deeds look black , and swim upon the surface of my life like corpses on

the pirate ' s stricken view . Zeus , hear my prayer , support me in this mine hour of agony ; for since I love , oh , wild must be my remorse . " Rising she bathed her eyes to remove the traces , of tears , and adjusting her dress , she once mose

descended to the apartment , and answered Caius . in calmer tones . A line across her brow , the firmness of the lip only betrayed the storm within , and the terrible strain put upon her self-control by the iron will of fate . Little thought Caius of the :

hell-raging within these breasts which calmly rose and fell , little of the anguish that lent such a . richer lustre to her beautiful eyes . The time is fast approaching when the Nemesis will come . God help them in the storm . ( To be continued . ) [ The Author reserves tho right ol reproduction and translation ]

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

THE "iEISH EBEESiASONS' CALENDAE . " In reply to "Hibernian in London , " the Irish Freemasons' Calendar can be procured of the Secretary , Freemasons' Hall , Dublin , or of Bro . R . Spencer , 26 , Great Queen-street , London , price two shillings . I believe the proceeds are devoted to the Masonic Female Orphan School , Dublin . — SPHINX .