The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

fear and trembling , in the caves beneath Rome ?" " Art thou a Christian ? " said Caius in astonishment , " one of those base creatures who worship a Jew , who perish for his crimes , like the meanest slaves on a cross ?¦"

" I am a Christian , and I glory in the Cross . Upon it died no thief , but one Avho came to earth in his allmighty love to bear the shame of our sins , to die that Ave mi ght have eternal life . We AVorship Him who was before this world , at whose breath

man became a living being , and sun and moon and stars shone out in the azure sky , who made the mountains toAver up in the air , and decked the grass Avith many a flowery gem , who filled the vallies Avith the low of oxen and the bleat of

lambs . We worship Him Avho is the Lord of life and death , who , when this earth shall fade as doth a garment and men be numbered with the dust , shall yet be as glorious and as powerful as at the beginning of time , as now , and as when

time shall be no more . " "You fill my heart Avith wonder , " exclaimed Caius . " Who is this God , who , being so great , "is still unknown in Rome ?"

" Unknown He is at present , " replied Paulus , '"but an age will come when Rome will be the small centre of His Church supreme . But my fall . has weakened me , my old bones cry for rest , and I can ill fulfil my task to-night . Take this scroll , "

and he took from his breast several sheets of parchment ; " read it carefully , and to-morrow I shall instruct you in the Christian ' s faith and the true knoAvledge of God . " "Do you require anything , " asked Adrian ,

"" before Ave leave you to your repose ?" "You remind me . How did you become acquainted with the family of Murtius ?" "My cousin Avas introduced by Balbus , and introduced me to-day . You must knoAV Caius intends marrying Phryne , the eldest daughter . "

"What ! marry Phryne ? It is impossible . " " Wherefore impossible ? " asked Caius . " Because there is a secret connected with that family which , knoAvn , would make you avoid an alliance with them , ancl still more with Phryne . "

" "A secret ?" " Aye , a secret Avhich it is not fit that you should knoAV . Tell Phryne to-morrow that you have seen Paulus , the Corinthian , and mark the result . " " Nay , this is but idling . Why should I mention your name , Avhy avoid her ; what is this mighty secret that cuts her off from me ?"

" You demand it of me , then ?" " Not I . I Avish not to hear it . I have perfect faith in Phryne , and mean to marry her . " " Then you compel me to perform a sad duty , " said Paulus , raising himself on his elboAV , ancl

looking towards Caius , " a duty so melancholy that I scarce can find words to tell it . You love Phryne , and I tell you to shun her as you would the deadly snake , for she is umvorthy of your love . "

" Unworthy ? " cried Caius angrily . "Aye , have you never heard the tales they tell regarding Murtius in Rome ? They are broad cast . " "If you have no better warrant than these

babblers' talk , good night ; for I Avould sooner trust the fiercely hoAvling Charybdis than these gossips . " " Paulus , " interposed Adrian , Avho although he spoke in quiet tones yet had a fire burning Avithin ,

" you know something Avhich is yet untold in Rome . Speak freely , and Caius , knoAV if she is unworthy of you , UOAV is the time to learn the why , not after you are married . "

" Well , let him speak , but he will never persuade me to think evil of Phryne . " " Oh innocent and happy soul of youth , " cried Paulus , " to Avhom the Avorld is but a garden of choice fruits and flowers , who seest not the

serpent ' s trail of slime across the leaves of the rose , who judgest the race of man by the standard of your OAvn pure spirit . You will believe me , Caius , and although you may noAV curse me for my tidings , the time -will come Avhen you will thank

me . " Six years previous to the date of our story Paulus left Corinth for Athens with his son , Hermes , a youth of t'venty . Paulus loved his son with a deep and tender love , he hacl , from the

cradle , identified himself with his child's pleasures and studies , and Avhen Hermes desired to see more of the world the father was his guide . At Athens Hermes became acquainted with Phryne , then sixteen , ancl fell madly in love Avifch her .

Nothing could persuade him to leave Athens , and his father at length formally proposed marriage to Murtius , who Avillingly agreed to the proposal , as Paulus Avas very rich .

Murtius hacl been married to an elder sister of Lais , but when Lais Avas tAventy-tAVO she came to reside with her brother-in-laAV and her sister . She Avas a lovely woman , voluptuous but cautious , and