The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

he had determined after his conversation , as related in chapter seventeen , to gradually instruct him in the mysteries of Christianity , and gather him into the baud of the Cross , the highest and purest of all philosophies . On receipt of Myra ' s letter , he

resolved that very night to seek out Adrian , and converse with him . Lucidora , Avho had been converted by Paulus , in vain entreated him to delay till the morning , but he said : " The present time alone is mine , every day has

its duty , and I must Avork in the cause of Christ at all hours and in all seasons . " The rain poured'down in torrents , and the sleet cut chilly at times , but no obstacle could overturn his determination .

" I go , " he saicl , " on my master ' s errand , and he will protect his servant . I do not fear for robbers , as I have nothing upon me worth taking ; and as for the rain , I have been too long a resident upon the marsh to heed that . "

So he Avent on his Avay , Avhile at one time the rain fell in great sheets of water , Avhile the next moment the sleety blast swept the streets with cold keen breath . " Jesus , my Saviour , " prayed the old man , as

he staggered along , bent double by the tempest . " Thou art with thy servant IIOAV , and in Thy blessed name do I trust . Yea though I walk in the valley of the Shadow of Death , I will fear no evil , for Thou art with me , and in Thee do I place

my trust . " Rome Avas not so well paved as it might have been , and Paulus had great difficulty in avoiding

the holes , which appeared in the streets . Once or tAvice he stumbled ancl fell to the ground , but he held to his purpose , only murmuring : " Old age is creeping in upon me , and I feel the whispers of my winter , and the sound of sleety

winds through empty boughs , yet if Heave the seeds of truth behind me in this dead soil , Godwill , in coming summers , spread it over with glorious crops , and Satan ' s yoke be broken from the earth . " He Avas passing the house of Caius , when a

more boisterous blast came hurling along . Paulus in vain bent to it , it caught his mantle and he fell to the ground uttering a piercing shriek , for he had severely hurt his ancle in his fall , and he lay on the ground insensible , with the rain

pouring down upon him like a deluge . Luckily Adrian and Caius heard the shriek , and summoning the slaves they hurried to the door , and brought him n .

" Bear him up gently to your master ' s bed , " said Adrian , " it is Paulus , my friend , Caius . " " Your friend ? " said the other in amazement . "Hush . Yes ; I know him . " The slaves carefully bore the old man in their

strong arms up to the sleeping chamber , and laid him gently on their master ' s bed . At a sign from Caius , they left the room . Adrian , Avho Avas a skilful leech , applied restoratives , and gradually brought old Paulus out of his swoon . The old

man smiled as he recognised Adrian , and then looked enquiringly at Caius . " This is my cousin , Caius Fabius , " anSAvered Adrian to his questioning look . " You are in his house . Are you hurt any where ?" "I think my right ancle has suffered in my fall . "

Adrian looked at it , fortunately it was little hurt , and easily put to rights . Adrian gave him some dry clothes , and then told him to rest there till morning . " But Avhat could have tempted you to wander

about Rome on a night like this , Paulus ? My cousin and ! have just come in , and found it difficult ,, young and strong as Ave are , to make headway at all . "

Paulus only smiled as he held out a ring . " Ha ! you come from Myra . Then you are a " Paulus stopped him with a significant gesture , and then turning to Caius , who had listened to

Adrian in astonishment said : " Would you leave us alone for a little ' " " Certainly , " answered Caius , turning aAvay in groAA-irig astonishment at the great familiarity Avhich appeared to exist between his patrician

cousin and this plebian . Before , however , he made tAVO steps Adrian caught him by the arm , and said : " Caius , this guest whom heaven has sent us is a noble Corinthian , who , on the death of his son , surrendered his wealth and came to Rome , and is

one of our greatest philosophers . You may speak freely , " he said to Paulus , " what you have to tell me , he , too , will gladly hear , and if you can bring us true tidings , Ave will receive them eagerly . " " Be it so , then , " answered Paulus , with a happy

smile , as he said inwardly , " Give me , 0 Father in heaven , these two as sheep of my ingathered flock . Let me pluck them forth from the pit of destruction . " Then aloud , "You desire to hear of God ^ of that God AAdiom Ave AVorship in our homes , of that God whose rites Ave celebrate by night , "' in