The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

amassed great wealth , succeeding in some strange manner to gain the favours of Galba , Otho , Yitellius , and Vespasian . During the hitter ' s reign he died , but his son still succeeded in increasing his wealth , so thafc Avhen he departed

to Hades , Balbus came in for enormous riches , Avhich he is still adding * to by the most nefarious means . But he is different from his father and grandfather , who were sober sedate men , . mea of business ancl of unimpeached probity . Balbus is

a voluptuary , a renegade from his religion . He scorns the name of JOAV , and ridicules the idea of his being descended from such people . I knoAV him , and Avhen the moment is ripe , the tool will smite the feet of the master /'

Meanwhile Balbus had ranged alongside of Murtius , who received him with marked courtesy . "HOAV fares the queenly Lais and the fair Phryne , by the Loves , Murtius , thou art happy in

possessing such women to comfort thy leisure . ' ' " Thou thinkest so ? thou mayest have one , if thou canst gain her consent . "

"A word in your ear , Murtius , " said Balbus , speaking slowly , you OAve me money , I love Lais , give her to me . " "Youlove Lais . You ? " said Murtius . "Yes , I , " replied Balbus , his face Avorking

with emotion . "Give her to me . I will release thee of thy debt , and add more to thy store , Avhen I marry her . " "Marry her , " ansAvered Murtius , mechanically . "Hark ' ye , Murtius , you knoAV me . I have

money in abundance , enormous wealth . I know how empty your coffers are , can you hesitate ?" " But Balbus , are you serious in your offermarry her , " and he laid a strong stress on the Avords .

" I know to Avhat you refer , Murtius , but believe me , I am not squeamish , and do not consider it even a blemish , that Avhich the world esteems a crime . She is intelligent , beautiful , of a commanding presence . I have not lived the best of

lives , I am tired of these ceaseless debaucheries , and I would fain hold a high position in Rome . Her person and address , my wealth and knowledge of the Romans , Avill give us a standing before Avhich the proudest of Rome ' s proud senators

Avill fall back and give place . It only remains to be seen whether you have any objections . " " I ! Avhat objections can I have ? but I would rather you had chosen Phryne . "

The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

"No , no , " answered Balbus , coolly . "I knoAV what Avay to roll the balls . I tell you that I have a certain purpose to effect by marrying Lais , I shall give yon a noble , perhaps the noblest son-inlaw of Rome at the present hour . What say you

to Caius Fabius ?" " Murtius , are you mad ? Caius Fabius , the hero of the Dacian Avar , the rich Senator , the favourite of the Emperor , such an idea is absurd . "

" Is it ? I know Caius well , within fourteen days I shall have him in your house , mark my words , within fourteen days . You can tell Phryne IIOAV to play her cards with him , ancl lay my proposal before Lais . Vale , ' ' and Balbus left the Baths .

Murtius sat long buried in thought , and Avhen he arose a tear trickled from his eye . "Balbus , " he muttered , " thou mayest have her for me , and Phryne too—but will my gentle Myra be left tome ? I fear not—I fear not , and life is Avorthless without her . " ( To be continued . )

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

THE HIGH GRADES IN EKEEITASONEY . " A Brother " is mistaken in supposing that whilst Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Grand Superintendent for Kent that I expressed any opinion respecting the High Grades in Freemasonry . The lines subjoined are sent to the FREEMASONS'

MAGAZINE in compliance with my Brother ' s request . They occur in the second volume of the " Annales Maconniques , " published at Paris , in 1807 . "Nous l ' avous deja dit , nous ne eesserons de le repoter , la veritable rnafonnerie est renfermee dans -les trois premiers grades . Ou ne trouve au-dela que suppositions

vagues , pratiques pueriles et souvent odieuses aux ycux de eeux qui connaissent la doctrine qu' elles renferment . "—CHARLES PUETON COOPEE . KEEOE 3 I OE ENGLISH EREEMASONEY . A German Brother has Avritten me a long letter this subjectHe intimates the intention of

upon .. shortly sending me a ' Project of Reform . " "Withmuch humility I venture to make tivo suggestions , which may possibly save our Brother a little trouble . First , that before he commences his interesting task he should acquire some slight knoAvledge of English Freemasonrya step whichas yethe has plainl

, , , y thought it quite unnecessary to take . Next , that he should bear in mind that there aro Reforms , Avhich , preserving the shape , take aAvay the substance ; which , leaving the name , take away the thing ; and that such . Reforms are not likely to find favour in the eyes of English Freemasons . —CHAELES PUETON COOPEE .

THE BIBLE IN THE LODGE . I have received the letter of "X . Y . " to this effect , By the tolerance of a Christian Lodge , an individual