The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

" But tell me , Murtius , to your eye is there not too much of the heavenly "beauty which we ascribe to innocence and truth in that fair face , which are not the general attributes of the goddess ?" " The sculptor , " answered Murtius gloomily , " conceived the face , and carved it to show what true love was before man blurred and cast the

goddess in a viler mould- —love free from passion . " True . Love is like the dew drop twinkling on the petals of the meadow flower , which the clownish foot tramples into the clay . But what have we here ? Ah , the Prometheus . "

"Yes , Praxiteles' greatest work . Look how the shackled Titan , conquered in bondage , his body in chains , yet free in spirit , unsubdued in soul , raises his proud head in unrelenting defiance of heaven . See how the vulture tearing at his

flesh cannot break that haughty soul , nor can that horrible agony which knits the muscle into knots , and breaks the cold sweat upon the brow , dim the eye , or ring a sob from him . " '' Aye , so a mind , a giant intellect can spurn

all reverses of fortune , all the gibes and scoffs of man , secure in his own might and purity of ¦ soul . "

" You are so far right , but a deeper meaning lies hid under that marble agony . It shows a inind attacked by every species of passion , and yet spurning them beneath him . The vulture of desire may prey upon his vitals , he welcomes death , but never dishonour . "

This burst astonished Adrian , who looking at Murtius saw the tears in his eyes . Murtius , evidently led away by some emotion , lowered his voioe so that Myra , who was at the other end of the gallery , mig-ht not hear him ,

continued" My good young lord , every man has a besetting sin , a passion that like the vulture preys upon the earth shackled soul . Wildly it tears , for there is no escape for the victim , but the grave . Beware of yielding to temptation , even the smallest ,

for your life will bitter before you , even as carrion breeds maggots . I am an old man , one who has held an honoured place among honourable men , and now , by one false step , one almost heedless act , I am an exile , and broken hearted . Hush ! I

say no more . Perhaps I have said too much . " "Nay , " replied Adrian , taking the Greek ' s hand , "man is frail , aud liable to fall . Far be it from mo to judge harshly of the faults and shortcomings of a fellow mortal . He is not the mainspring of the evil , " thought Adrian , " Lais is the

harpy who has defiled this man's banquet . Murtius , what have we here ? " he said aloud , pointing to a heap of statuary , covered from view with a heavy drapery . Murtius paused for a minute as if reluctant to expose it , and then drew aside the drapery . Under it was a colossal group of the Lascoo . i .

" A noble work , " cried Adrian with enthusiasm , " seldom have I seen this equalled . Whose conception is it ?" " Mine . " " Thine ? " said Adrian , examining the work

carefully . " I see . The features of the father ' s are thine own , while the sons have countenances like thy sister's and thy daughter Phryne's . 'Tis a rare and a strange work ; but wherefore employ thy family as models . " " An artist ' s freak . "

" Hast thou no bust of Myra here ? Methinks her classic head would well represent a .. muse ' s . " " It is behind thee , " answered Murtius . "Behold the flower of truth . " Adrian turned and gazed upon the marble , and

he looked towards the living model , who stood gazing forth of a window upon the garden , with a sad expression upon her young countenance . After a pause he said , in a low voice , more as if musino- to himself than as if addressing

Murtius"Yes , this is true . There is no taint of earth upon that pensive brow , which appears to muse how man may best win his way to heaven , to mourn over the vices and follies of the world . No taint of earth soils those parted lips , breathing a prayer

to Jove for fallen man . Yes , Murtius , in this bust you have indeed shown us truth . " " Myra will lead you to the gardens , where there are some other toys which may interest you . Meanwhile , excuse my absence . I have some few

things to attend to within . Go , Myra , with our honoured guest . " Myra led Adrian in silence from the gallery , while "Murtius stood gazing after them . " Truth didst thou say , 0 Adrian ? Aye she is indeed truth , the only true thing in this fearful winked house of mine . "

Then swinging his hands in agony , he held them , up to heaven , crying" 0 could this weary heart recall the past , with bitterest tears would I wet each wicked step , and blot from the earth all traces of my guilt . In

vain , in vain . The demon linked to me knows no remorse , no turning back from sin . Her god is