The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

me strength . Did'st think of me last night . I only thought of thee . But thou art so pale . Nay Caius , thon art ill , art A'ery ill . 'Twas wrong to venture forth to-day . Oh speak , speak but one word , 'tis Phryne asks it from thee . "

" Death were sweeter than this agony . I shall go mad , " thought Caius . Then rousing himself , he said -. " Yes , Phryne , let us talk . I am not Avell . Some things ha \ r e pained me , but the pain Avill go . "

" No , " said Phryne , looking him anxiously in the face , " thon art really ill . Thy hand is cold , an icy dew is on thy brow ; Caius , upon my knees tell me what aileth thee . 0 little knowest thou of a Avoman ' s heart , so fondly timorous of the

loved one , as the bird that dies AAdien death has robbed her of her mate . " " Rise , Phryne , rise , " said Caius , attempting to raise her from her lowly position . " Thou lovest me no longer , " cried she

covering her face Avith her hands aud burstin g into tears . " Oh 'twas a dream too bri ght to last ; well might I have known that there is not joy on earth for me , for when I am happy , there ever comes a cloud to clamp ancl kill my joy . "

"Rise , Phryne ; I love , heaven alone knows how fondly , each accent of thy voice . " " Thy friends love not thy choice . I see it all . A nobler mate they would choose for thee from among Rome ' s daughters , more beautiful and

richer than Murtius's daughter , yet none of them can love thee , Caius , as I love thee . " " Believe me , my friends know nothing of my choice . Not that disquiets me . Rise up , and let us talk . We'll speak of long past days—of Greece . "

These ominous words , uttered in alow stern voice , struck coldly to the heart of the unfortunate Jistner . She rose slowly , saying , " Of Greece ?" "Yes , " answered Caius , Avith some show of composure , " was it not thy birthplace ancl thy

home for many years ?" " Yes , true , " saicl Phryne ; then to herself she muttered , " a thunder cloud rolls overhead—where Avill the lightning fall and blast—I tremble . " " I met , " continued Cains , " an ancient friend

of thine last night—the Corinthian Paulus . " She did not scream at the ¦ mention of that terrible name , her breath came quicker , her lips quivered for an instant , and she became deadly pale . In a voice , clear , automaton like , she said , clasping her hands upon her heart ,

The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

" Thou knowest ? " All , " replied Caius , sadly . " Down , down , poor heart , " cried Phryne wildly 3 " thy sin has found thee out . Thou knowest all , thou sayest , Caius , and yet thou knowest nothing

—the life I was trained to , all the sin my father and that hell hag Lais taught me—the trap they set for me . Enough , enough , k . bitter hour of reckoning aAvaits them both . Go , Caius , leave me . I do love thee ; believe me true , at least , in that ..

My every prayer is thine . Forget me , or if thou should ' st ever think of me , of one so vile , be it with pity . Forgive me if I have wronged theepast all hope of forgiveness , forgive me , and ever think kindly of me . "

Caius rose , his heart swelled in his bosom , tears flushed his eyes , as in a voice broken Avith sorrow ,, he

said" I do forgive thee , Phryne , though my heart seems breaking in my bosom . Farewell . On earth Ave shall meet again no more ; but I will ever pray for thee , that peace may smile upon thine after-life . Farewell , a long

farewell—farewell for ever . " He rushed , Avild with disappointed love from the house , while Phryne fell senseless to the ground . Sad time , sad hearts and sadder futurity ,

thesun of life had sunk in a bank of vapoury clouds ,, sorrow came up the heavens , and a long night of Avoe set in , starless , silent , and portentous . ( To be continued . ) [ Tho Author reserves tho right ol reproduction and translation . ] - ;

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

LODGES 03 ? GEBilABfY AWD PRANCE . Your opportunity of acquiring information respecting systems which English Freemasonry eschews .,, will he very ample . In the lodges of Germany ancl France , which you propose to visit next autumn ,. 1 you will , if I ain rightly informed , find Pantheism ,

Spinozism , Hegelianism , Idealism , Dualism , Materialism , Sensualism , JEmpirisme , Naturalism , Ideology , Fatalism , Positivism , Atheism , and Scepticism .. —6 . P . COOPEE . A STUASGE PHE 2 T 03 XES-02 T . Apples of Sodom instead of good and

wholesomefruit ! You relate a strange phenomenon , Bro . But inquire , and be sure you will find that there hasbeen a grafting of the trees very imlifee that taught by the English , and , as yon know , at this day still practised by them . —C . P . COOPEE . FESTAL CAUSES . —1 TETAPHYSICAI , EEADIXG . Bro . , the study of Final Causes has produced ,