The Globe-republican., 1895-09-12

ku1SuS COulu WASu " VIII q AoAA As~As
heart.
And Scylla looked till he passed from
her view, as she had done every time
she had seen him.
Then wild thoughts coursed through
her excited brain. How cruel war
was, yet she blessed this war that
brought Minos to her sight. But how
terrible if he should be killed. Oh, II
only peace might be had, she would
have offered herself as hostage.
Then came the wild thought OF de-
livering the city up. She could easily
do 1t, but one obstacle was in her way.
The Fates had decreed that so long as
the purple lock remained on her fatn-
er's head, the city should stand. 1t
needed but that she should remove II
and all would be well; for surely Mlnos
would be grateful to her and she would
be happy.
And then came the thought OF that
fathers shame and degradation, out
only for a moment, as one thouent
after another coursed through ner
mind. She felt that she could coulo
pass through fire and water to serve
Minos. yet that was not needed. An
other woman would dare as much, ana
could any one dare more than she?
Then the victory was won, but not
on the side of duty. And only tnen'
when she had fully determined on her
plan, did she find peace or rest.
| That night she arrayed herself IN ner
| richest robes. Never had she looked
more beautiful. The Graces themselves
might have envied her. And Nlsus
smiled a welcome to his daughter, as
she entered the banqueting hall. All
traces of her grief at the sacrifice had
disappeared and the king was glad.
Scylla suffered all his attention and
endearments, but hurried to her apart
ments as soon as she could. She reared
lest her resolution might weaken ana
so her happiness be forever lost.
How may of us have stood in like
position, with all the reasons for ana
against our actions crushing US down.
our life and death in the balance, which
a breath could give or take!
It was after the midnight watch had
been called, and the palace was sunk IN
slumber, that figure, enveloped IN q
dark cloak, glided through the vide
corridor to the kings apartments. Al
the door Q challenge rung out, but 9
moment later the sentinel knelt and
the princess passed in to her father.
Nisus slept, and the daughter slowly
approached his couch. How noble ne
looked, but the girl steeled her heart
against him!
A moment later the dark figure fed
down the corridors as 1t had come, but
CLEAN of triumph shone from the
eyes, and love and victory struggled
for mastery in the countenance. And
the king slept on, but the purple loci
had left his head forever!
So Scylla went through the dark city
and left it behind her as she passed
the wall through a secret gate
Swiftly she entered the camp of thu
enemy and demanded to see King
Minos.
When the king beheld her hi
thought so lovely a woman had never
before walked the earth, but when
holding out the purple lock, she said
that she gave up her city, her father
herself, he spurned her from him.
Shall Crete" he cried, where Jove
himself was Graded, be polluted by
this monster? Infamous woman, be-
gone, and may neither land nor see
afford thee a resting place!
"Alas" cried Scylla. ''for thee have
1 given up everything! Ay. am de-
serving of death, but thy hand should
not be the one to deal the blow!
But Minos would have nothing to d.
with her, aud, the next morning, Civ
ing orders that suitable terms shoult
be allowed to the vanquished city, n
sailed away with his feet.
AS the ships were departing Scyll'
Jumped into the sea, and, grasping tn
rudder of the vessel that conveyed
Minos. was carried along with it til
an eagle, into which her father ha'
,, been changed, darted down and pecke'
at her with its beak and claws. Scyll
cried for mercy, and some pityin
? deity changed her into a bird.
-