The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

crossing his heart . " Can he have heard cf his ill fame ?" "I have it , " said Caius . "He is an Athenian , a great scholar . I remember Scopas the Rhetorician mentioning his name at the Emperor ' s

table . A famous man is he not , renowned as a 2 Dhilosopher ?" " Yes , " answered Balbus , drawing a breath of relief , " he is a great philosopher , ancl you will delight in his converse . Some day , perhaps , j r ou may

find leisure to accompany me to his house . May I carry him your . consent , which will give him much pleasure ?" " Certainly . A philosopher and a Greek are too honourable names to refuse them so kind an invitation . "

" By the way , Cains , you can do me a favour . You see the daughter of this philosopher has asked me—womanly vanity—to pen her some verses . This I am unable to do at present , ancl as she is pressing for them , perhaps you would do them for

me , and in my name ?" " A formidable request , truly , " answered Caius , laughing . " Apollo sat upon my pen this morning , expecting your request , ancl here are the verses ready . They are thine , so take whatever credit is

due to them . But here is the palace , ancl here we part . " " I thank you for the verses , " said Balbus , " and I shall inform Murtius of your acceptance of bis invitation . " " Do so , " replied Caius , and entered the palace .

Balbus hurried home with the verses which he had so cleverly got from Caius . They were entitled— " To Sexta , " but substituting the name of "Phryne , " he transcribed the following- verses , no great things for a great Roman poet , but if

Homer nodded among the gods , why not the yonno-Caius , among the Muses ? " Smile , Phryne , smile , and round thy lip Let waves of laughter roll ; Deep in wild joy thy bright eyes dip , And glad my soul .

Loose lot thy ringlets flow , as streams Bound down a mountain ' s brow , While gladness in each dimple gleams , And Mirth's lips glow . Let play the fountains of the heart , And free each fetter'd smile .

The day we'll to ; s to craft and art , Stars woe beguile . So moulded look ? , nor stiffened limbs , No studied boles , nor words , The days each secret blessing dims , Stars touch sweet chords .

The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

Yes , smile my Phryne , white the cup Creams with the heaven ' fy grape , ^ o-night will we with Bacchus sap , To-morrow gape . For life ' s at best an airy thread , Each passing wind may shake ,.

Death brings the dark funereal bread , . That it must break . " " A fair song , by Apollo , " muttered Balbus , looking at the transcribed verses . " It will appear well in my new volume of poems , I must have

that lazy scoundrel Mamma laid by the heels . How dare he give forth that he is writing a tragedy when he knows that it must be mine . It is a profitable investment lending these poor knaves of

authors money , only , were it not dangerous , I would clip the wings of that Oenna . Hum , he must be removed . He is in my way . I suspect him for a traitor , although I know not why . Perhaps the river Liber may carry him to the sea .

The prying knave , I believe he knows of our haunt in thu Suburra . " Dismissing these thoughts from his mind , he betook himself to Murtius' house , and presented Phryne with the verses . After reading them ,

Phryne gazed at Balbus intently , and said , " The verses are fair . Are they yours , or some of our young poets ?" " Mine , fair lady . " A smile crossed her lip , but further conversation was put a stop to by the entrance of Murtius .

" I bring you good tidings , " said Balbus , " the noble Caius Fabiushas accepted your invitatiou . " " Indeed , then I shall invite the noblest of our friends to the banquet . Remember Phryne your part in the play . You are a woman , fascinate him .

Come with me , Balbus , " and they left the room . " I am a woman , fascinate him , " thought Phryne . " I am a wretch , in whose touch there is pollution , but others have made me what I am , and not in love , but in revenge , Caius Fabius , shalt thou be mine ?" ( To be continued . )

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

EELIGIOS- AND PKEEMASOXBX . Whilst it is the studious aim of the English Freemason to avoid by every possible means any interference with tbe established laws and institutions of the country , including that great national establishment—the Church , the following resolution or "invitation" by the Italian lodge at Pisa , under the Supreme Council of Palermo , will be read with