The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

" Leave him alone to Myra and me , " said Murtius Avith a glance of meaning , and then turning he joined his daughters and guests . " Adrian come hither , " said Caius , is this embrodiery not beautiful . The lady Phryne's fingers Aveave with the colom-s of the rainbow . "

Thou art a poet , my lord Caius , " ansAvered Phryne with a witching smile , " and knowing that , I am proof against all thy flatteries . " " Believe me , lady , I do not flatter , " said Caius . -seriously .

"It is deftly done , " said Adrian , " whether ithe lady Phryne has the rainboAV at her finger points or no . But your sister , what are her ac-¦ complishments ?"

Phryne rose and kissed her sister . She loved her dearly , and was proud to show her off . " Our Myra , is the gem of the house , Lord Adrian , she is the embodiment of all perfection , she sings like Orpheus , plays like the god of music . Is it not

so , my love ?" "Ton overpraise me , love . " Adrian was touched at the simple scene : there Tvas something unostentatious in Phryne ' s display -of love for her sister that proved hoAv real was the

feeling . "Get thee thy lyre , wench , " said Murtius , ¦ " and sing our guests a song . " Myra rose , and took from the wall her lyre . Running over the strings a plaintive prelude , she

• sang in a IOAV mournful voice , the tones of which -rang , like some strange message from heaven through Adrians' heart , the folloAving verses : —•

Are they all scattered , Each shy songster flown ? The gay flowers are dead , And the waters are stone 1 light winds careering Oer southern zone ; Winter majestic Eeigns here alone .

Are they all silenced , The friends once so dear ? Thick lies the snowdrift , And frozen ' s the tear . ¦ They cannot hear me , Kor rise at my moan : Sombre and mystic , Death reigns alone .

Bowers will bloom brightly At gay sounds of spring : Birds to the woodlands , "Will fly back and sing .

But neer will they come back , Nor draw more a breath , "AA'ho sleep in the snowdrift , And captives of Death . "Thy song is sad , " said Adrian sinking his

voice almost to a Avhisper , as Myra put aside her lyre . She turned to him , a sorrowful expression in her eyes , and said : 'Tis then a meet companion for my thoughts . " " Oh ! such is ever the fate of crime , " thought

A . drian , "its curse descends from generation to generation , aud crushes the innocent as wellastha guilty . That fair pure brow , meant only to be the tablet of peace , is darkened by the sable

pinion of care . Where guilt is , there will sorrow still be found . My life upon it that she is as good as she is beautiful . How very beautiful she is , so mild and gentle . There as she leans upon Phryne , she stands like a drop of chrystal dew beside her

haughty sister diamond . The one a child of heaven , bringing with it peace and happiness toearth , the-other ofthe earth , causing envy and disgust anions : the gods themselves . She must O DO be innocent . These dove-like eyes can never have

known the fire of passion light up and scorch their purity , but Phryne ' s eyes rove wantonly , and lure to life ' s vilest joys . Oh my consin , my unhappy Caius , I tremble for thy happiness , for if whispers carry the wind of truth , she is not immaculate nor very hard to win . "

"Noble Adrian , " said Murtius , touching his guest lightly on the shoulders , " my Myra's songhas saddened thy spirits . Phryne will afterwards sing thee a lighter lay . I call the one my evening the other my morning star . "

"They welldeservetheirappellations . Fair Phryne shoAvs a rising sun springing forth from the sea , dispersing clouds of woe , purpling high hills , and firing up the sky ; Avhile Myra comes npon ns like that first gentle star of night , whose radiance

soothes the ache of pain , dissolving in gentle dewsorrow ' s cloud . Thou art indeed blessed , in having such fair flowers to bloom and deck with buds and leaves their aged sire . Their mother ; is she not dead ?"

" Aye , years ago , " replied Murtius gloomily , . "in sunny Greece she died , Avhen Myra smiled her first fond smile upon this sinful earth . " "Ha ! " muttered Adrian , "have I pierced thy harness ? Thou best , thou subtle Greek . Myra's .

mother an' I err not , lives yet , and lives beneath thy roof . He takes me for some chit fresh from his books , not for the man who could destroy his