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.