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About The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918 | View Entire Issue (March 6, 1890)
J CLEOPATRA. Being an Account of the Fall and Venceance of Harmachis, the Royal Egyptian, AS SET FORTH BY HIS OWN HAND. By H. Rider ITagcard, Author or " King Solomon's Mines,' "She," "Allnn Quntormntn," Etc., Etc.. Etc. "AH! so sor- sho said, dryly, ami still touching llko ft rippling brook. '-Yes, surety, tho sluvo women who keep cham bers own such toys us this, of tho' very finest silk, worth twico its weight in gold, and brouicrcd, too. in many colors. Why, myself I should not shame to wear itl Uf a trutti it bwibs familiar to my sight." And she threw it around hor nock nnd smoothed tho ends with her whito hand. "But there, 'tis a thing unholy in thino eyes that tho scarf of thy beloved should rest upon my poor breast. Take it, Har machis; tnko it and hide it in thy bosom, uigb thy heart, indeed !" I took tho accursed thing, and muttering what I may not write, stepped on to tho pidd.v platform whence I watched tho stars. Then crushing it into a ball, I throw It the winds of heaven. Tnereat tho lovoly Queen laughed onco more. "Nay, think now," she cried. "What would tho lady say could eIio soo her love gage thus cast to all tho world! Mayhap, Harmachis, thou wouldst deal thus with my wreutnalsoi See, tho roses fade; cast it off," and, stooping, she took up tho wreath and gavo it to inc. For a moment, bo vexed was I, I had a mind to take her at her word aud send tho wreath to join tho kerchiof. But I thought better of it. "Nay," I said moro softly, "it is a Queen's gift, and I will keep it," and as I spoke, methought I saw tho curtain shake. Often sinco have I sorrowed over thoso simple words. "Gracious thanks bo to tho King of Lovo for this small mercy," she answered, look ing at mo strangely. "Now, enough of wit; como forth upon this balcony tell mo of the mystery of thoso stars of thine. For ever did I lovo tho stars, that nro so puro and bright aud cold, und so far away from AND WHILE I SrOKU. nil our fevered troubling There would I wish to dwell, rocked on the dark bosom of the night, and losing tho littlo senso of self as I gazed forever on tho countcnanco of yon sweet-eyed space. Nay who can tell, llaruiacliis? perhaps thoso Very stars par tnuo oven of our substance, and, linked to us by Nature's invisiolo chain, do, indeed, draw our destiny with them as they roll. "What says tho Greek fablo of him who be came a star!1 I'orchanco it hath truth, for 'yonder tiny spams may bo tho souls of men, but grown more purely bright and placed in happy rest, to illume tho turmoil of their mother earth. Or aro th".v lamps hung liieh in tho heavenly vault ri it night by night somo Godhead, whoso w.us aro darkness, touches w th his immortal lire, so that they lc.p out in answering flame? Give mo somewhat of thy wisdom aud open these wonders to me, u my servant, lor l tiavo littlo knowledge. Yet my heart is large, nnd I fain would fill it, lor I have tho wit could 1 but Und tho teacher " Thereon, beiu,j riut glad to Und footing on a sarer snore, and marveling somewhat to learn that Cleopatra had a place for lofty thoughts, i spuko and told her willingly such things us aro lawful. I told her how tho sky Is a liquid mass pressing round the earth and resting on tho elastic pillars of tho air, and how above is the heavenly oce;.ii Nout. wherein tho planets float hko J ships as thoy rush upon their radianc way. Many things 1 told her, and among them how through tho certain, nover-ccasing movement of tho orbs of light tho planet that was called Douaou (Venus) when she showed ns tho morning star, becamo the planet Bonou when sho camo us tho svieot Btar of Eve. Tho motion of tho planots appears to havo been familiar to tho Egyp tians. Aud, while I stood and spoko watching the stars, she sat, her hands clasped upon her knee, and watched my face. "Ah!" sho broke In at length, "and so Venus is to bo seen both in tho morning und tho evening sky. Well, of a truth, she is everywhere, though best sho loves tho night. But thou lo vest not that I should use these Latin names to theo. Come, wo will talk Ih tho ancient tonguo of Khem, which I know right woll; tho first, mark thou, of all tho Lagidin am I who know it. And now," she went on, speaking in mino own tonguo, but with a littlo foreign accent that did but mnko her taik moro sweet, "enough of stars, for, when all is said, they nro but tickle things, and perchance may oven now . bo storing up an evil hour for theo or mo, jj or for us both together. Not but what I lovo to hear theo speak of them, for then thy face doth lose th&t gloomy cloud oi, thought wherewith thou drapest It and grows quick and human. Harmachis, thou art too young for such a s 'omn trade; mo ttnnksthatl mustflnd th- .i better. Youth comes but onco; why uto It in theso musings I Time is it to t : no longer act. Tell mo 1 iic whon we can w old art thou, uarmacinsi-' "I am six and twenty ye . O Queen," 1 answered, "for I was a In tho ilrst mouth of Hhomou, In the summer season, and on tho third duy of tho month." "Why, wo aro of an ago even to a day," sho cried, "lor I, too, have six and twonty years, and I, too, wa9 born on tho third day of tho first month of hhomou. Woll, this may wa say thoso who hogot us need hare no shame. For if I bo the fairest woman in Egypt, methlnks, Harmachis, that there is in Egypt no man moro fair and strong than thou, aye, or moro learned. Born on the same day, why, ".Is manifest thut we wery destined to stand together, I as the Qi.f;n, at id thou, perchance, Harmachis, a one of the chief pillars of my throne, and Vus to work each other's weal." "Or, perchance, each ether's woe," ) answerod, looklnjr up; for her sweet Ypeecbes stung my ears, and brought more .color to tor face than I loved that sb should seo therein. "Nay, nover talk of woe. Be seated here by me, Harmachis, aud let us talk, not as Queen and subject, but n friend to fnond. Thou wast angered with mo at the feast tonight-was It not sol in that 1 mocked theo with yonder wreath I Nay, 'twas but a jest. Didst thou know how heavy is the task of monarchs, nnd how weartsotno arc their hours, thou wouldst not bo wroth be cause I lit my dullness with n jest. Oh, they weary me, thoe princes and those nobles, nnd thoso sthT-necked, pompous Houians. To my fuco they vow themselves aiy slaves, and behind my back they moch oio and aroclaim mo the. sirvriL rj thu) iriutnvirute, or their empire, or their re pualic, ns the wheel of fortune turns, nnd each rises on its round I There is nevor a Jian umong them nothing but fools, para sites and puppets-never uinan sinco with their cowardly daegors they slew that Cajsar whom all the world in arms was not strong enough to tame. And I must play off ouo mruinst the other, if, may bo, by sc doing I can keep Egypt from their grip And for reward, what I Why, this is mv reward; tnut all men speak ill of mo nnd 1 know it my subjects hate met Yea, I bo hevo that woman though I be, they would murder mo could they And a means !" And she paused, covering her eyes with hot hand, and it was wed, for her" words pierced mo so that I shrank thoro upon the seat bo 'de htr "They think ill of me, I know it; und call me wanton, t ho have never stepped aside save once, when I loved tho greatest man oi an tho world, und at the touch of lovo mj passion flamed indeed, but burnt with "a sallowed flame. Theso ribald Alexandrians uo swear that i poisoned Ptolemy, tny brother whom, most unnaturally, tho Ro man henuto would have forced on mo, his sister, ns a husband! but it is falso; he sickened and died of fover. And even sc they nay that I would slay Arsinoe, my sis tcr who. indeed, would slay mo ! but that, too, is lalso I Though sho wiil havo none ol me, I lovo my sister. Yea, they all think ill of mo without a cause; even thou dost think ill of me, Harmachis. Oh, Harmachis, before thou judgest, think what a thing is envy ! that foul sickness of tho mind which makes tho jaundiced 03-0 of pettiness to see all things distraught to read evil written on tho open face of good, and find impurity in tho whitest virgin s soul. Think what a thing it is, Harmachis, to bo set on high above the gaping crowd of knaves who hate thro for thy fortuuo nnd thy wit; who gnash their teeth tud shoot tho urrowsof their lies from tho cover of their own obscure hops, wheiieo they havo no wings to soar; and whoso hearts' quest it is to rag down thy nobility to tho lovel of the groundling nnd the fool! "Bo not, then,' ready to think evil of the great, whoso every word und act is senrched for error by a million angry eyes, and whoso most tiny fault is trumpeted bv u thousand throats, till tho world shakes with tho echoes of their sin! Say not: "Tis thus, 'tis certainly thus' say. rather: 'Nay. may it not bo otherwise i Havo wo heard aright! Did sho this thing of hor own will !' Judge gently, O Harmachis, as wert thou mo thou wouldst bo judged. Remem ber that a Queen is never free. Sho is, in deed, but the point nnd instrument of those forces politic, wherewith nro graven the Iron books of history. O, Harmachis I bo thou my friend my friend and counsellor! my friend whom I can trust indeed ? for here, in this crowded court, I am moro ut terly alono than any soul that breathes about tho corridors. But thee I trust; there Is faith written in thoao quiet eyes, and! am minded to lift theo high. Harmachis, 1 can no longer bear my solitude of mind J must And one with whom I may commune nnd speak that which lies within my heart. 1 havo faulis, I know it; but lam notui) unworthy of thy faith, for thoro is good gram among tho evil seed. Say, Harmu cliis, wilt thou take pity on my lonoliuoss andbofnend mo who havo lovers, courtiers slaves, dependents, moro thick than I can count, but never 0110 single friend!" and sho leaned toward me, touching mo lightly, and gazed on 1110 with her wonderful blue eyes. I was overcome; thinking of tho morrow night, sliamo and sorrow smote mo. , her friend! A whoso assassin dagger lay against my breast! I bent my head, und sob or 11 groan, 1 know not which, burs' from tho agony of my heart. nut uieopatra, thinning only that I wai moved beyond mysolf by tho surprise of hor graciousuess, smiled sweetly, and said: "it grows la'c To-morrow night, when thou brmgest tho auguries, will we speak igain, O my mend Hjvujchls, and thon shalt answer me." And she gave mo hor hund to kiss. Scarco knowing what I did, I kissed it, and in another moment sho was gono. But I stood In tho chumbor, gai'ng aftor her liko one asleep. CHAPTUH XilL or the woitns and jeai.ousv of cnARMinn; or Tim LAUGiiTEii or iiakmaCiiis; or tub maki.no heady ron 1 nu deep of m.oon; AND OF THE JIES8AGB OF THE OLD WIFE, ATOPA. STOOD still, plunged m thought. Thon, by hazard, as It were, ftookuptho wreath of roses nnd looked thereon. How long 1 stood so I know not, but when next I lifted my eyes they fell upon tho form of Cbarmlou, whom, indeed, 1 hud altogether forgot ten. And though at tho moment I thought but f it, 1 noted vaguely that s flushed as though with anger, and thnt sho beat her foot upon the floor "Oh, is it thou, Charmion," I said. "What ails theo) Art thou crumped with standing so long within thy hiding placol Why didst thou not slip heuco when Cleopatra led mo to the balcony!" "Where is my kerchief!" sho asked, shoot ing an angry irlanco at mo. "I let fall my brolderod kerchief." "Tho kerchief I Why, didst thou not seo! Cleopatra twitted mo about it, and I flung it from the balcony." "Yea, I saw," answered tho girl, "I saw but too welL Thou didst fling away my kerchief, but tho wreath of roses that thou wouldst not fling away. It was 'a Queen's gift,' forsooth, and therefore, tho Koyal Harmachis, tho Priest of Isis, tho chosen of the Gods, tho crowned Pharaoh wed to tho weal of Khcm, cherished it and saved it, Bt my kerchief, stung by the laughter of that light Queen, ho cast away 1" "What meanest thou? ished at her bitter touo. riddles." ' I asked, aston "I read not thy "What mean If" she answered, tossing up her head, and showing the white curves of her throat ' Nay, I mean naught or all, tako it as thou wilt. Wouldst know what I moan, Harmachis, my cousin and my Lord!'' she went on In a hard, low voice. "Behold, I wiil tell thee thou art in danger of the great offense. This Cleopatra hath cast her fatal wiles about thee, und thou goest near to loving her, Harmachis to loving her whom to-morrow thou must slay) Ay, stand and stare at that wreath within thy hand the wreath thou could it not send to join mjr kerchief sure Cloo m mtio ( I sho W! patraworo it but fo-nightf Tho perlumo of the hair of Caisar's mistress Caesar's and others' yet mingles with tho odor of its roses I Now, prithco, Harmachis, how fur didst thou carry the matter on yonder Daicony 1 for In that ho!o where I lay hid I could not hear or seo. 'Tis a swoct snot tor lovers is R not I ay, and n sweet night, tool Venus is suroly in tho right uscensioni" Aud nil of this sho said so quietly nnd In so soft nnd modest a way, though her words were not modest, and yeV so bitterly, that every syiiauio cut me to tho heart, and an gored mo till I could And no speech. "01 n truth thou hast n wiso economv." sho went on, seeing "hor advantage; "to- nignt thou dost kiss tho Hps that to-morrow thou shalt still forever! 'Tis frugal dealing with tho occasion of tho moment; aye, wor thy and honorable dealing!" Theu at last I broke forth. "Olrll" I cried, "how darest thou speak thus to m--? Mindcst thou who nnd what I am that thou looseththy peevish gibes upon me!" "I mind what it behooves thee to be," sho answered quick. "What thou art, that I mind not now. Surely thou kuowest alone thou and Cleopatra'" "What meanest thouIM I said. "Am I ts blame if tho Queen ' "The Queen I What havo wo hero! Phar aoh owns a Queen 1" ;'f PWnatra wills to como hither of a nig at and talk "Of stars, Hannochi3 surely of stars and ros"s, and naught beside!" After that I know not whnt I said; for, troubled as I was, tho girl's bitter tonguo and quiet way drove mo woll-nigh to mad ness. But this 1 know: I spoko so fiercely that she cowered beforo me ns sho had cowered beforo my undo Sepa, when ho rated her becauso of her Grecian garb. And n3 sho wept then, to she wept now, only moro passionately and with sobs. At length 1 ceased, half ashamed, but still angry and smarting sorely. For oven while sho wept sho could find a tone uo to answer with and a woman's shafts nro sharp. "Thou shouldst not speak to mo thusl" sho sobbed; "it's cruel it is unmanly! But I forgot thou nrt a priest, not a man ex cept, mayhap, for Cleopatra!" "What right hast thou!" I said. "What :anstthou meuni" "What right havo I!" sho asked, looking tip, her dark eyes all aflood with tears that run down her sweet face liko tho dew of morning down a lily's hcurt. "What right havo II O Harmachis 1 art thou blind! Dost thou not know by what right I speak thus to thee i Then must I tell theo I Woll, tis tho fashion in Alexandria! By that 5rst and holy right of woman- by tho right )f tho great lovo I bear thee, nnd which, it seems, thou hast 110 eyes to sco by tho right of my gloi v nnd my shame. O, bo not wroth with tin-, Harmachis, nor sot mo iown as light, becauso tho truth has at Inst surst from mo; for 1 urn not so. 1 am what .hou wilt make me. I urn tho wax within .ho molder's hands, and as thcni dost 'ashion lho so shall I bo. There breathes .vithin mo now a breath of glory blowing icross the waters of my soul, thatcan waft 210 to ends more uoblo than ever I have ircamed uforo, if thou wilt homy piiot nnd aiy guide. But if I loso thoe, then lose 1 all that holds 1110 from my worse self and let ihipwreek cornel Thou knowest nio not, tlarmaehisl thou canst not soo how big a spirit struggles within this frail form of mine! To theo I am n girl, clover, way ward, shallow. But I am more! Show mo thy loftiest thought and I will match it, tho deepest pu.zlo of thy mind and I will make It clear Of 0110 blood ure we, nnd lovo can ravel up our littlo difference and mnko us grow one indeed. Ono end wo havo, ono land wo love, 0110 vow binds us both. Tako mo to thy heart, Harmachis, und set mo by theo on tho Doublo Throne, and I aweur that I will lift theo higher than evor man has climbed. Reject me, und bowaro lest I pull theo down 1 And now, putting aside lho cold delicacy of custom, stung thereto by what 1 saw of tho arts of that lovely liv ing falsehood, Cleopatra, which for pastime sho doth practice on thy folly, I havo spoken out my heart, and answer thou 1" And sho clasped her hands, and, druwing ono pace nearer, gazed all trombliug on my face. For u moment I stood struck dumb, for tho magic of her voice and tho power of hor speech, dospita myself, had stirred mo like tho rush of music. Und I loved the woman doubtless sho might liuvo fired me with her flame; but I loved her not, und I iXiuld not piay at passion. Aud so thought camo, and with thought ttint laughing mood which Is over npt to fasten upon nerves strained to tiio Dint of broaklng. In u flash, as It were, I bethought me of tho way In which sho had that very night forced the wroath of roses on my head. I thought of tho kerchiof and how I had flung it forth. I thought of Charmion in tho littlo chum bor watching what sho held to bo tho urts of Cleopatra, und of her bitter speeches, Lastly, I thought of what my undo Sepa would say of hor coulu ho seo her now, and of tho strange and tangled skein where with I was immeshed. I laughed aloud the fool's lauglitor that was my knell of ruin I Sho turned whiter yet whito ns tho dead and on hor face thero grow a look that cheeked my foolish mirth. "Thou findest, then, Harmachis." sho said, inn low, choked voico, und dropping tho lovel of hor eyes "thou findest causo of morrlmont in what I havo said." "Nay," I nnswered, "nay, Charmion; forgive mo if I laughed. 'Twas rather a laugh of despair; for what am I to say to theo! Thou hust spoken high words of all thou mightost bo; is it left for mo to tell theo what thou urt!" Sho shrank, and I paused. "Speak," sho said. "Thou knowest noao so well what I am and what my mission is; thou knowest -none so woll that I am sworn to Isis, und may, by law divine, have naught to do with theo." "Ay," sho broke in, in her low voico and with her eyes still fixed upon tho ground; "ay, and 1 know that thy vows aro broken In spirit, if not in form broken like wreaths of clouds for, Harmachis, lwu Inveat CUifiatra!" "It is a Ho!" I cried. "Thou wanton girl, who wouldst seduce mo from my duty nod put me to an open shame I who, led by passion or ambition, or the lovo of evil, hait not shamed to break tho birriors of thy sex and speak as thou hast spolcou beware lest thou go too farl And if thou wilt huvo ail answer, hero It is, put stralghtly as thy question. Charmion, out ido tho mutter of ray duty and my vows, thou art naught to mo! nor, for all thy tender glances, will my heart boat ono pulse moro fat I Hardly art thou now my friend for, of a truth, I scarco can trust thee. But, once more, bewarol To mo thou raayest do thy worst; but if thou dost dare to lift nliuger against our causo, that day thou dleatl And now is this play done!" Aud as, wild with anger, I spoko thus, she shrank back, and yet further back, tilt at length she rested against the wall, hor eyes covered with her band. But when I ceased she dropped ber baud, glancing up, and her face was the faoo of a statue, wherein the great eyes glowed like embers, and round them was a ring of purple shadow. "Not altogether done," she said gently; "the arena must yet be sanded I" This she sold having reference ta.ihaovexiustMo al tholooJ Stains at the , gTadiatoriafsliows with fine whito sand. "Woll," sh" wont on, "waste not thlno anger on a thing so vile. 1 havo thrown my throw nnd I havo lost, Vravictlsl ah I Vns victisi Wilt thou not lend mo the dagger In thy robe, that hero and now I may end ray shame! No! Then one word more, Most Royal Hariuathls : II thou cant, forget my folly; but, at the least, havo no fear from mo. I am now, as over, thy servant and tho servant of our causo. Farcweill" And sho went, leaning her hand against tho wall. But I, passing to my chamber, flung myself upon my couch and groaned in bitterness ot spirit. Alasl wo shnpo out plans, nnd by slow degroes build up out house of Hope, nevor counting on tho guests that time shall bring So lodgo therein. For who can guard against tho Unforeseen. At length I slept, nd evil woro my dreams. When 1 woke tho light of tho day which should seo tho red fulfillment ol tho plot was streaming through tho case ment, and the birds sang merrily nmoug tho garden palms. I woke, and ns I woke tho sense of trouble j-'essed In upon me, for I remembered that before this da- was gathered to tho past 1 must dip my hands in blood even lu the blood of Cleoputra, who trusted uiol Why could I not hato liei as I should! There had beeu u timo when 1 had looked on this net of vengeance with somewhat of a righteous glow of zeal, Aud now and now, why, I would frankly give my royal birthright to bo free from its ne cessity! But, alas! I knew that thero was no escape. 1 must drain tho cup or bo for ever cast away. I felt tho eyes of Egypt watching me, and tho eyes of Egypt's Gods, I prayed lo ny Mother isis to give me strength to do this deod, und prayed ns 1 had nevor prayed boforo; and, O wonder no nuswor camu. Nay, how was thisi What thon had loosed tho link between us that, for tho first timo, tho Goddess deigned no reply to her chosen servant! Could it be that I had sinuod in heart against her) What had Charmion said that I loved Clo opatral Was this sickness lovo! Nay, a thousand times nay 1 'twas but tho revolt nf Ntnr ii'-nitnst. a deed of trepoherv and Ulood. 'Tho 'OodiTess Old uuC'try mj strength, or porchanco sho also turned hoi holy countenanco from blood, I roso filled with dospair, and went about my work liko a man without n, soul, 1 conned tho fatal lists and noted nil the plnns ay, in my brain I gathered up tho very words of that proclamation of my Royalty which on tho morrow 1 should issuo to the startled world. "Citizens of Alexandria und dwellers in tho land of Egypt," it began, "Cleopatra, tho Macedonian, hath, by tho command ol tho Gods, suffered justice for her crimes'" All these and other things I did, but 1 did them as 11 liuin without u soul asumati moved by n force from without and not from within. And so tho unuutes wore uway. In lho third hour of tho iiftornoon 1 went, ns by appointment fixed, to the house whero lodged my undo Sepa -that same house to which some three months gono I had beeu brought wnen, for the first time, I entered Alexandria, And hero I found assembled in secret conclave the loaders of tho revolt in tho city, to tho num ber of seven. When 1 had entered and the doors wero barred, thoy prostrated them bolvesntid cried: "Hail Pharaoh!" But 1 bade them rise, Haying that not yet was 1 Pharaoh, for thochicksu was still In thoegg "Yea, Prince," said my unrle, "but his beak shows through. Not in vain hulk Egypt brooded ail theso years; un thoi fail not with that daggor-stroko of thino und how canst thou fail! naught can now stop our courso to victory I" "It is on tho knees of tho Gods," I nn swered. "Nay," ho said, "tho gods huvo placed the issuo in tho lumds of u mortal in thy hands, O Harmachis! and thero is it safe. Boo; hero uro tho lust lists. Thirty oik thousaud men who bear arms are sworn tc rise when tho tidings coino to them, vith in five days every citadel in Egypt will be in our hands, and thun what havo wo tc fear! From Roao but littlo, for her hands aro full; and, besides, wo will mnko al liance with tho Triumvirate, and, If need be. buy them off. For of money there Is plenty iu the laud, und if more bo wanted thou. Harmachis, kuowest where 'tis stored against tho need of Khem, and outsido the Roman's reach of arm. Who is thoro tc harm us! Thoro is none. Perchance, in this tirrbuUut city, there way be u struggle, md a counter plot to bring Arsinoe ta Egypt aud sot hor on tho throne. Thero toro must Alexandria bo severely dealt frith aye, even to destruction, if need be. And for Arsinoo, thoao go forth to-morrow u tho news of tho Queen's death who shall liny her socrotly." "Thero romains tho lad Coesarion," I aid. "Rome might claim through Cursor's ion, and tho child of Cleopatra Inherits Cleopatra's rights. Heroin is u doublo ianger." "Fear not," said my undo; "to-morrow Sacsurion Joins thoso who begat him iu Amentl. 1 havo mado provision. Tho Ptolemies must bo stamped out, so that no ihoot shall over spring from that root Dlastcd by Heaven's vengeance." "Is thero no other means!" I usltcd sad ly. "My heart is sick ut tho promise of this red rain of blood. Woll I know tho child; ho hath Cle)patra'B flro nnd beauty ind great Ciesur's wit. 'Twas shumu to murder him." "Nay, bo not so chicken-hearted, Har machis," Bald my uncle, stonily. "What alls theo, then! If tho lad Is thus, the more ronson that ho should dlo. Wouldst thou nurso up 11 young lion to tear thee from tho throno!" "Bo it so," I answered, sighing. "At least he is spared much, and wiil go henco irrnocent of evil. And now for the plans." ixmg we sat taking counsel, till at length, In face of the groat emergency and our high emprise, I felt something of tho spirit of former days How back into my heart. At tho last all was ordered, and so ordorod that it could scarco miscarry, for It was fixed that if by any chance I could not como to slay Cleopatra on this night, then should tho plot hang In tho scale until tho morrow, when the deed should bo dono upon occa sion. For tho death of Cleopatra was tho signal, Theso matters being finished, onco moro we stood and, our hands upon tho saored symbol, swore tho oath that may not be written. And then rav undo kissed mo with tears of hope und joy standing in his koen black eyes. Ho blessed me, saying that gladly would ho give his life, uy, and a hundred lives If they woro his, if ho might but hvo to seo Egypt onoo moro u nation, and mo, Harmachis, tho descendant of Its royal und undent blood, seated on tho Throno. For of 11 truth was he a patriot In deed, asking nothing for himself, ami giv ing all things to his cause. And I kissed hira in turn, and thus wo parted. Nor lu tho flesh did I ever too him moro who huth earned the rest that as yet Is denied to mo. So I went, und, thero being jot timo. walked swiftly from pluco to pluow In tho great city, taking noto of the positions ot the gates and of tho places where our forces must bo gathered. At length I camo to that quay where I hud landed und saw m vessel ailing for tho open seo. I looked, and in my heaviness of heart 1 longed to be aboard of her, to be borno by her whito wings to soma far shore where I might livo obscure, and, forgotten, die. Also I saw another veil el that had dropped down tho Nile, from whose dock tha nasseugcra wero streaming. Fn momcnt V MooJ- wnlcug thom laIy wondering if thoy wero froiu Aboutlds, when suddenly I heard a familiar voico be- sido mo. "L.t La!" snid the voice. "Why, what a city is this for nn old woman to seek hor fortune in! And how shall I find thoso to whom I am known! As well look torn rush in tho papyrus-roll. Begouol thou knave and let my br.ntct of simples lie, or, by tho Uods, I'll doctor thee therewith 1" I turned, wondering, and found mysolf Tncoto fuco with my foster-nurse, Atoux. She knew mo instantly, for I saw hor start, but In tho presence of tho people checked hor surprise. "Good Sir," sho whined, lifting up her withered countenance toward mo, and at tho samo time making tho secrst sign, ' 'by thy dress thou shouldst bo nn astronomer. and I was specially told to avoid astrono mers as a pack of lying tricksters who wor ship their own star only. And, the. of or , noting on tho principle of contraries, whlcR is law to us women, I speak to theo. For surely in this Alexandria, whoro nil things nro tipMdo down, tho astronomers may bo tho honest men, sinco tho rest uro dearly knaves." And theu, being by now out of earshot of tho press, "Royal Ilaruinchis, I nm como charged with a messngo to theo from thy father Aiueuemhat," "Is ho wU!" I asked. "Yea, ho is well, though waiting; for tho moment tries mm sorely." "And his message!" "It is this: Ho sends greotlngto theo, and with it warning that n great danger threat ens thee, though ho can not read it. Theso are his words: 'Bo steadfast and prosper. 1 bowed mv head and tho words struck n now chill of fear Into my soul. "When is tho timo!" sho asked. "This very night. Where goost thou!" "To tho house af tho honorable Sops,, Priest of On. Canst thou guido mo thith er!" "Nay, I may not stay; nor Is it wiso that 1 snouia do seen witn 11100. noui i" auii 1 called a porter who was idling on tho quay, nnd giving him a piece ot money, budo him guido tho old wife to tho house. "Farewell," sho whispered "farewell till to-morrow. Bo steadfast and prosper 1" Then I turned nnd wont my way through tho crowded streets, whoreln tho people mado placo for 1110, tho nstronouior of Cleo patra, for my famo had spread nbroad And oven as I went my footsteps scorned to beat: lie stciulfatt Be tteatifcitt Jle stead fast! till at last it was as though tho very ground cried out its very warning to mo. eiiAr-rnr; xir. 07 THR VAIW.t) WOIIDSOF ClIAUMIONi OFT1IE PASSINO OF IIAHMACIUS INTO THE PltESENCC OF CLEOPATHA OVEHTIIHOMrOF II AllM ACllIfl. WAS night, und I sat nlono within my chamber, waiting tho moment Cifen, as r was ngreed, Char mion should sum mon mo to pass do wu to Cleopatra. Alono I sat, nnd thero boforo mo lay tho dagger that was to picrco her. Long aud keen it wus, and tho haudlowns forinod of a phinx of solid gold. Alouol at, questioning tho future; but no answer camo. At length I looked up, nnd behold I Charmion Bt -od beforo ma Charmion, no longer gay und bright, but paloof face and hollo w-oyed. "Royal HArinachls," sho said, "Cleopatra summons theo presently, to declare to hor tho voices of tho stars." So the hour had fallen! "It Is well, Charmion, " I answered. "Aro all things iu order!" "Yea, my Lord; nil things nroinordor; woll primed with wine, Paulus guards tho gates, tho eunuchs are withdrawn savoone, tho legionaries sleep, nnd already Sepa and his forco lio hid without. Naught has been neglected, und 110 lamb skipping ut tho shaiublo doors can bo moro Innocent of Its doom than is Queen Cleopatra." "It is well," 1 saiu again; "lotus bo go ing." And rising, I placed tho dagger in tho bosom of my robo. Taking a cup of wino that stood near I drnnk dop of it, for food had I scarco tasted all that day. "One word," sho said hurriedly, "for it U not yet time: li-t night ah, last night!" nno nor posom neavod "l dronmoa dream that haunts mo strangely, and pur- chnuco thou also didst druam a dream. Twas all a dream aud 'tis forgotten; is it not so, my Xord!" "Ycu.yoa," I snid; "why troublcst thou mo thus at such nn hour!" "Nay, Ikuow not; but to-nlglit, Harma chis, Fato is in labor of o great event, aud in her painful throe's mayhap she'll crush mo iu her grip mo or theo, or tho twaiu of us, Harmachis. And if thut be so woll, I would -hear from theo boforo 'tis done, that 'twas naught bat a dream, and that dream forgot" "Yea, 'tis all a dream," I suld, idly; "thou nnd I, und tho solid earth, mid this heavy night of terror ay, and this keeu pointed knife whut uro theso but dreams, and with what face shall tho walling como!" "So, now thou fnllest in my humor, Royul Hnrmachis, As thou sayest, wo droum; and while wo dream yot can tho vision change. For wonderful are the fautuslos of droams, seeing that thoy have no stabil ity, but vary liko the vaprous edge of sun set clouds, hulldlnguow this thing and now thut, bsiug now dark and heuvy and now alight with splendor. Therefore, beforo wo wako to-morrow, tell mo ono word. Is that vision of last night, whcreln'l learned to bo quite ashamed, and thou didst item to laugh upon my shame, a fixed fantasy, or can It, porchanco, yet change its countenance I For, remember, when that waking comes, tho vagaries of our sleep will bo moro un alterable und more enduring thun aro the pyrumids. Then w.ll they be gathered into that changeless region of the past whoro ull things, greut and small uy, evon dreams, Harmachis ure, each in its own semblance, frozen into stono and built within tho Tomb of Timo Immortal." "Nay, Charmion, " I replied. "I grieve if I did pain theo; but o'er that vision comes nochnngo. I said what was lu my heart, and there's an end. Thou art my cousin and my irlund; more I can nover be to theo." "'Tis woll 'tis very well," sho said; "let it be forgot. And now on from dream to dream." And sho smiled with such u smllo us I had nevor seen her wear beforo; 'twas sadder und more futeful tiiun uny stump that grief can set upon tho brow. For - though, being blluded by my own folly and tho trouble at my heart, I know It not with that smile, for Charmion tho Egyptiuu died tho happiness of youth, fled the hope of love, und hurst usunder the holy links of duty. With that smllo did she consecrate herself to evil, did sho renouuee heroouutry and her Gods, und trample on hr oath. Ay, that smllo marks tho spot whero tho stream of history changed its course. For had I nevor seen it on her faoe, Ootavlunus had not bestridden the world and Egypt had onco moro boon free and great. And yet 'twas but tt womun's smllo t "Why lookest thou thus strangely, girl!" 1 asked. "In dreams wo smile," sho auswered. "And now 'tis time; follow thou mo. Be firm und prosper, Royal Harmachis !" And bending forward, sho took ay huud and kissed It. Then, wlfh ono slrauge look, sEi turned nnd led the way down tho stair through tho empty halls. In the chamber that Is called tho Alabas ter Hall, of which tho roof is upborne by FAH AWAT STOOD CnAUMlOV. columns of black innrbic, wo stayed. For beyond was tho pnvato chatnbor of Cleo putra, oven tho samo wherein I had seen hor steeping. "Abido thou hero," sho snid, "while I tell Cleopatra of thy coming," and sho glided from my side. For long I stood, mayhap In all for hnlf nn hour, oouuting my own heart beats und, as m 11 dream, striving to gather up my strongth to that which lay boforo mo. At length came Charmion back, her head hold low and walking heavily. "Cleopatra waits theo," sho said, "pass on, thoro is no guard." "Whero do I meot theo whon whnt must be dono 1b dono!" I asked, hoarsoly. "Thou uicotcst me hero, and then to PnuluB. Bo firm aud prosper. Faro thos woll." And so I wont; but ut tho curtain I turned suddonly, nnd thoro In tho midst of that lonely lamp-lit hall I saw 11 strauga sight. Far away, in such a fashion thnt tha light struck full upon hor, stood Charmion, her head thrown back, hor white arms out stretched ns though to clasp, uud on her girlish fuco n stamp of anguished passion so torriblo to behold that indeed I cau not tell itl For she belioved that I, whom she loved, was passing to my death, and this was hor last farewell to mo. But of this matter I know naught; so with nnother passing pangof wonder I drew aside the eurtulus, gained tho doorway and stood within Cleopatra's chatnbor. And there, upon 11 silken couch at tho fur end of tho parfunied chamber, clad in wonderful white attire, rested Cleopatra. Iu her hand was a jeweled fan of ostrich plumes, where with sho gently fanned horsolf, und by hor sldo was hor harp of ivory, and a littlo tablo whereon woro figs und goblots and a flask of ruby-coiored wino. Slowly I drew near through tho soft, dim light to where in all hor glowing beauty lay tho wonder of tha world. And, indeed, nover havo I seen her look so fuir ns sho did upon thut fatal night. Couched in hor amber cushions sho seemed to Bhino us u star on tho twilight's glow. From her hair uud robes camo perfume, from her lips fell music, und in hor heaven ly eyes nil lights changed aud gathered as lu tho ominous opal's disk. And this was tho womaa whom I must slay ! Slowly I drew near, bowing as I cams: hut sho took io head. She lay there, uci tho Jowolou" f uil'Thfatoti to nint rnr nito"tt bright wiug of soroo hovormg bird. At length I stood boforo hor, and sh glanced up, tho ostrich plumes pressod against her breast as though to hido its beauty. "What I friend, nrt thou como!" she said.i "'lis woll; for I grow lonoly bore. Nay, 'tis a weary woriui wo Know bo many luces, uud so lew there uro whom wo lovo to sco again. Woll, stand not thero so mute, but bo seated." And sho pointed with hor fun to u cat von chair that waa placed nigh to hor feot. Onco moro I bowed and took tho seat. "I huvo obeyed tho Queen's desire' I said, "and with much euro and skill worked out tho lessons of tho stars; and here istul Ireoord of my labor. If tho Quoon permit !l will expound It to her." And I roso, la order thut I might pass round tho couch and, us alio read, stab her In tho back. "Nay, Harmachis," sho said quietly, and with 11 slow uud lovely smllo. "Bide thou whoro thou urt, und give mo tho writing-. uy Hcrupis 1 tny iaco is too comoly tor mm ,to wish to lose tho sight of It!" Checked In this my design, I could da ,nnught but hand hor tho papyrus, thinkinjr toinysoir thut us sho road I would urisa suddenly und plunge tho dagger to hor heart. Sho took it, and, ns sho did so, touched my huud. Thou sho mado protunsa to road. But no word did shu road, for I saw that hor eyes wero fixed upon mo over tho edge of tho scroll. "Why plncest thou thy hund within thy robo!" sho united presently; for, indeed, X clutched tho duggor's hilt. "Is thy heart stirred 1" " ea, O Queon," I said, "It boats high." Sho gavo 110 answer, but onco moro mada protonso to roud, and tho while sho watched uio. I took counsel with mysolf. How should do tho hutoful deed! If I flung mysolt upon her now sho would soo tno und scream and struggle Nay, I must wait a chauco. 'Tho auguries uro favorable, then, Har- madilsi" she said ut length, though thin sho must huvo guessed at. "Yes, O Queen," I answered. " 'Tis well," and sho cast tho writing on the inurble. "The ships shall sail. For, good or bad, I am woury of weighing chances." (TO UK CONTINUED. Tho Minniu Mooro litis laid olT lorty- four men out of eightvono who wero working in tlio nilno. It 1b not known whether this iu a pormiment reduction in tho working forco or not. Fred W. Kiihrmnnn, purser on tho Btoimior Oceanic, who shot hiniHolf 011 hoard tho vchhoI, died tho next day. Dt'Hjiondency over tho death of Ida wife B'uteu to huvo neon tno causo 01 tno shooting. Tho iinnuid Btittoment ot tho Southern I'iiclllc Hullroad Company for tho year 1881) bIiowb 11 small iucreiiBO in earnings. among other causes being tho coiintrtio- tion of now lines. A doerenso ol tiio HtirpltiH to f 1,!M 1,000 uguhiBt :f 2,531,000 is alao shown. A hank at Dallas, Texas, rocontly Hhipnod two pui'kHgt'H, ono containing; $10,000 in gold and tho other 15,000 in lulls, to tno Uoiiinierclul -National name of St. fx)ulH. Tho gold was recoived, but tho 1)11 s woro not. Tho hank notified tho express company, and un Investiga tion was made, which resulted in tlui pknowlodgo that F. A. Wulton, inonoy clork iu tho Dallas Puciile Express oillce, had abstracted tho money, lie is iiiLm ing, with a week's Btart of tho olllcera.
