Connecticut western news., 1896-02-27
CANAAN. CONN. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY

it, but one obstacle was in her way. The fates had decreed that so long as the purple lock remained on her father s head the city should stand. It needed but that she should remove it and all would be we'll, for surely Minos would be grateful to her and she would be happy.
 And then came the thought of that fa- ther's shame and degradation, but only for Q moment, as one thought after an- other coursed through her mind. She felt that she could pass through fire and water to serve Minos, yet that was not needed. Another woman would dare us much, and could any one dare more than shey
 Then the victory was won, but not on the side of duty. And only then, when she had fully determined on her 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 envied her. And Nisus smiled welcome to his daughter as she entered the banqueting hall All traces of her grief at the sacrifice had disap- peared, and the king was glad.
 Scylla suffered all his attention and endearments, but hurried 70 her apart ments as soon as she could She feared lest her resolution mighS weaken and so her happiness be forever lost.
 How many of us Fave stood in a like position, with all the seasons for and against our actions crushing us down, our life and death in the balance, which a breath could give or takei
 It was after the midnight watch had been called and the palace was sunk in slumber that a figure enveloped in a dark cloak glided through the wide cor ridor to the king's apartments. At the door challenge rung out, but mo- ment later the sentinel knelt and the princess passed in to her father.
 Nisus slept, and the daughter slowly approached his couch. How noble he looked, but the girl steeled her heart against himl
 A moment later the dark figure fled down the corridors as it had come, but a gleam of triumph shone from the eyes and love and victory struggled for mas tery in the countenance. And the king slept on, but the purple lock had left his head forever
 So Scylla went through the dark city and left it behind her as the passed the wall through a secret gate. Swiftly she entered the camp of the enemy and de- manded to see King Minos.
 When the king beheld her, be thought so lovely 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 love himself was cradled, he polluted by this monster? Infamous woman, begone and may neither land nor sea afford thee a resting place!"
 ''Alasp P cried Scylla. "For thee have given mp everythingl Aye, am de- serving of death, but thy hand should not be the one to deal the blowl''
 But Minos would have nothing to do with her, and the next morning, giving orders that equitable terms should be allowed to the vanquished city, he sail ed away with his fleet.
 As the ships were departing Scylla jumped into the sea. and grasping the rudder of the vessel that conveyed Minos was carried along with it till an eagle, into which her father had been changed, darted down and pecked at her with its beak and claws. Scylla cried for mercy. and some pitying deity changed her into a bird. s-..
 And to this day the eagle pounces upon the gull, ever seeking vengeance for the old crime. Virginia Horton in Philadelphia Times.