The Nemesis : A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

for Ms valour in saving the life of the Emperor . But Trajan bestowed upon him still more costly marks of his gratitude , and Cains stood first in the imperial favour . Not alone Avas this caused by slashing oncn a ± ) aciaii skull , and thereby

paralysing the murderous arm ; Caius bore one of those expressive countenances Avhich mark the mau of honour and wisdom . Trajan found him to his personal safety a gallant soldier , to the safety of his realm a sage councillor . Still , hoAvever

dear all these honours might have been to the heart of Caius , no joy could equal that Avith Avhich he Avelcomed his cousin Adrian's return .

Since their separation both had undergone a change , both under different and almost antagonistic aspects had viewed man , and each , as opposed in active pursuits , admired the . other for that fame which he did not himself possess . The

marsh , the encampment , the change of scenery , had raised the sub lime ideal in the poet'sraind , AvhiIe the mysteries through Avhich he had passed aAvoke the terrible ideal in the philosopher ' s . Temperament had much to do Avith it , for Avhile Caius Avas

joyous , trustful aud open , Adrian Avas gloomy , retiring aud sceptical . Poetry , to the one , converted earth into an Elysium , philosophy , to the other , transformed it into a fell Avilderness full of deadly plants , and savage monsters . Caius loved

the fields , the blue skies , the shining , sun , the rolling Tiber , the chase and its master spirit , the battle field , Adrian loved the mountain solitude

and his books . In one point the cousins did agree —in their adoration of nature . In appearance Caius differed from his cousin . His golden hair , ivhich Avon him the title of the golden crested Caius , clustered around a high pale

broAV , and threw out eyes of the richest deepest blue , so deep , as even to rival the splendid Tyrian dye ; his face in repose Avore a dreamy happy expression , almost alone to be found in the countenances of sleeping babes , a sure index of the

contented and . benevolent heart below : but Avhen roused up by the cry of battle , then his teeth clenched beneath their ruddy bucklers , his eyes flashed fire , and a more daring or more skilful Avarrior , never launched forth to carry death and destruction into the ranks of the astounded

enemy . A handsomer man slept not through tho streets of Rome than Adrian . Tall and . straight as a Norway pine , he seemed born to command . His eyes , dark as night , but in their depths glowing

like brilliant planets , shot out their lights from underneath a broad and lofty broAV as white and and polished as marble . The Romans from this peculiarity of forehead , called him "Plato . " His noso , thin and aquiline , with Avondrous flexible

nostrils , pinky as a shell , gave a firmness to the to the face , not belied by the lips ancl jaw . But care hovered over the head of the young Roman , casting a heavy shade upon his broAV . His darlingphilosophy had only conjured up doubts to vex

aud perplex the mind , Avhich all the learning he had acquired , and all the sages he had encountered , had failed to resolve . He lived apart from all in Rome , Avrapt up in his dreams , and the only one Avith whom he condescended to interchange

converse was his cousin Caius . The Romans had in vain solicited his presence at their banquets , and the senators invited him to take a share in the

public duties , Adrian shrugged his shoulders with contempt , and declined . The fetes , the gorgeous banquets of Rome had no attraction for him , he loved to spend his nights upon some lofty hill gazing upon the stars , and musing over the

mysteries that had been taught him in Egypt . One morning the dawn surprised him seated on a rock above a mountain slope of oak , and Avith the liberty of a narrator we will Avrite doAvn his

musings . " Day breaks at last , " he muttered , rising to his feet and gathering his toga around him , the mists trailing their long night garments , rise in streams from the vallies , creeping up by the

gorges of the hills , tAvining through the recesses of the forests , andleaA r ing upon each leaf a Avreath of pearls . Oh nature , universal mother , are these thine offerings to the soul of earth , these mists thine altar ' s incense rising to Him the Lord of life :

are these thine orisons , Avhich timid birds awakening , with rapturous throats pour forth in esctacy . The bright stars fade away , the moon grows pale before the cries of smitten victims , and of the priests at prayer . The cold Avind cuts me to the

heart , and the night ' s thick dew has frozen my fevoied blood . I feel its fang strike in beyond the barb , and a chill , unknown Avhilo I gazed on the mystic scroll of heaven , and traced a mighty hand upon each orb . So let me hie home , now night is

gone , ancl Sol rides high triumphing in the heavens , over the pallid moon ' s despair . " Casting a long lingering glance upon the sky , where tho emerald cresent of the moon still lingered , he rose , and slowly descended the inoun-