The Lamar register., 1895-09-14

Il,
shone purple like the light from her
amethysts
No wonder the daughter loved the
purple stone. even as Nisus treasured
the purple lock for II reflected the light
from that lock on which depended the
safety OF the country.
The children led the bull to the altar.
Scylla stood beside II. till the King ap-
preached with cleaning knife. Then
with low cry. she threw her arms
about the creatures neck. and pressed
klss on Its white face. But her grief
did not interrupt the ceremony and the
sacrifice was made.
When Scylla reached home she went
up into the high tower OF the palace,
from which she could look down over
the whole city and beyond It. Outside
the walls she saw, as she had seen for
the last six months. the camp OF King
MInos Of Crete, and beyond the white
plain the ocean stretching out. out. to
liberty. For though she was princess,
Scylla felt like bird IN n golden cage.
As she looked down over the camp
and watched the tents a figure issue
from one Of them. During the whole
time OF tho Siege she had watched the
enemy from the tower. and had learned
10 distinguish the officers by name.
And he. who but now emerged from his
tent was no other than King Minos
himself
II was easy to know him from the
others, for as they were. he oyer-topped
them all. as a great oak in the midst
Of beech grove, Then. too. his bear
ing was that OF a king That noble
brow revealed a character grand. good
and iust. In fact. the king was what a
/ king should be. and whep. dressed In
his flowing purple. be rode his white
horse. he had all the charms that a
knight could wish TO win fair lady
/ heart.
And scylla looked till he passed from
I her view, as she had done every time
she had seen him
Then wild thoughts coursed through
I her excited brain. How cruel war
/ was. yet she blessed this war that
/ brought Mlnos TO her sight. But how
terrible II be should be killed. oh. II
only peace might be had. she would
| have offered herself as a hostage.
Then came the wild thought OF de-
/ livering the city up. She could easily
do II, but ono obstacle was In her way.
| The Fates had decreed that so long as
the purple lock remained on her faith
er's head. the city should stand. II
l needed but thA. she should remove II
and ali would be well; for surely Minos
would be grateful to her and she would
be happy.
And then came the thought Of that
/ fathers shame and degradation. but
/ only for a moment. as one thought
after another coursed sthrough her
mind. She felt that she could could
pass through ore and water to serve
Minos. yet that was not needed. An
l ether woman would dare as much. and
could any one dare more than she?
Then the victory was won, but not
/ on the side OF duty. And only then,
when she had fully determined on her
I plan. did she find peace or rest.
That night she arrayed herself In her
richest robes. Never had she looked
more beautiful The Graces themselves
might have enyied her. And Nisus
| smiled a welcome to his daughter. as
she entered the banqueting hall. All
| traces Of her grief at the sacrifice hae
disappeared aud the king was glad.
Seylla suffered all his attention and
endearments, but hurried to her apart
ments as soon as she could. She feared
| lest her resolution might weaken and
so her happiness be forever lost.
Hon mae ~ ts haya zfnnd in a like