Evening star., 1927-11-02

promised that no harm would come
to the servant, and so got to see his
friend.
The slave assisted Lausus to enter
the dungeon in the darkness of night
Phanor recognized the voice of Lausus
and reproached him for coming into
such great danger. Lausus protested
that he could not let Phanor die for
him; Phanor. in his turn. would not
let Lausus effect his release at the
cost of his own life. Since neither
himself. it appeared that Lausus had
come in vain. until he had a happy
inspiration.
Listen he said to Phanor. "My
father is violent, but he is neverthe-
lass human. Natural feelings do move
him. Let me take your place and go
into the arena to face the lions. There
is chance that my father may recog-
nize me. in your stead. and stay his
vengeance. II you stay here, Phanor
l stay also. to die with you. Fly, and
We may both escape"
"On one condition only said
Phanor. Il shall do as you say. but
il you do meet your death. ] shall take
my life and die also
THAT is a bargain becoming a
friend" said Lausus. "and I agree to
1T. Take my disguise, and may luck
| come to us BOTH
1t must not be supposed that lydia
has been forgotten all this time. She,
too. was in great despair. The mes.
sage from Lausus had been intercept.
! ed and she knew nothing of her lover.
| Had she known that he was, on her
wedding day. in deep dungeon await.
| ing the facing of vicious lions, she
would have swooned with fright. AS
1t WAS. the prospect of her union with
Aet ntius was cause enough for grief.
! she would go to the altar as to some
dire punishment.
Came the time of the spectacIe with
many a bloody contest. Then the
iions--and the guards, who had easily
mistaken I-ausus for Phanor. pushed
the son of Mezentius into the arena to
face the roaring beasts. Lydia. by the
side OF MeZentius, turned awav her
| lace at the horror, and SO did not rec.
ognize her lover.
Half naked his hair disheyeIed
Lausus walked with an intrepid air: a
poniard for the attack, buckler for de
Tense. were the only arms by which
he was protected. Mezentius. prepos
sessed, saw in him only the doomed
! ihh hoi. INcSeHlIUSnL ana revenge
stifled every other feeling. He watched
I, with barbarous joy the rising fury OF
The lions. and with eagerness as one
was released to attack I.ausus.
Lausus advanced to engage the
lion in combat. The lion sprang for.
! ward. Lausus avoided him. Thrice the
! enraged animal made toward him with
| foaming jaws, and thrice Lausus es
caped his murderous fangs.
Then Phanor learned what was han
pening, and came running. stop he
cried, 1T is your son-the son OF
MeZentius.
MeZentius looked and saw the truth
Then. alarmed. he called upon the peo
pie 10 save his son. Lydia fell in q
swoon. A thousand hearts stood still
as Lausus, now in imminent danger
was beyond aid-the lion would have
devoured him ere help could come
But an incredible thing happened
Lausus eluded the animal and struck
hlm a mortal wound with his ponja rd
ana drew 1t dripping from the lion.
heart.
alarm changed into triumph. The
people went wild with JOY. Lausu,
came forward and said THE Grim.
was mine. father. | love lydia. ans
Phanors crime was in my name. Tha
Is why took his place.
, Mezentius, faced with such valor n
his son, obeyed his natural impulse
ne gave the lovers to each other an,
"lsned them happiness.