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About The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918 | View Entire Issue (March 13, 1890)
CLEOPATRA. Being an Account of the Fall and Venceance of Harmachis, the Royal Egyptian, AS SET FORTH BY HIS OWN HAND. By II. Rider Haggard, Author of "-King Solomon's Mines," "Sho," "Allan Quntermnln," Etc., Etc., Etc. ""This is a heavy matter, O Queen," I said. "I had wished to show ttpou what circumstance I huso my forecast." "Nay, not so, Harmachis; I liavo wearied of the ways of stars. Ihou hast prophesied; AND NOW HEU LII'S MET MINE. that is enough for mo; fop, doubtless, being honest, tliou liast written honestly. There fore, savo thou thy reasons and we'll bo merry. What shall wo do? I could danco to thee none there aro who can dance so well but it would scarce bo queenly. Kay, I have It: I will sing." And, leaning for ward, she raised herself, ami, bonding tho harp toward her, struck some wandering chords. Then htr low voico broke out in perfect and most sweet song. And thus she sang: NiKht on tho sea, ami nlijit upon tho slty, And muslo In our hearts, wo floated there, Lulled by tho low sea voices, thou and I, And tho wind's kisses In my clouJy hair; And thou didst kuzo on mo and call mo fair Enfolded I tho starry robo of night And then thy sing mi thrilled upon tho air, Volco of tho heart's deslro and Lovo's do liKht. Adrift, with starlit bkles above, With starlit sous below, Wo move with nil tho suns that move. With all tho seas that How; For, bond or tree, Karth, Sky and Soa Wheel w th ono circling will, JVnd thy hen: t driftoth on to mo, And only Timo stands still. Botwoen two shores of Death wo drift, Uchiud aro things forgot: Beforo tho tlilo is driving swift To lands beholden not. Above, tho sky is fair aul cold; Below, tho moaning sea Sweeps o'er tho loves that woro of old, But, O Lovcl k.ss thou mo. Ah, lonely nro tho ocean wnys, And dangerous tho doop, And frail tho fa.ry bark that strays Abovo tho seas asleep 1 Ah, tod no moro at sail nor oar; Wo drift, or bond or freo; On yon far shoro tho breakers roar. But, O Lovo 1 kiss thou me. And ever as thou sangest I drow near, Thon suaden s.lenco hoard our hearts that beat. For now thnro was nn end of doubt and foar, Now passions filled my soul and lod my foot; Then silent didst thou rise, thy lovo to moot. Who, sinking on thy broast, know naught but thru. And in tho happy night I kissed thee, Swoot, Ah Sweotl betweon tho starlight and tho sea. Tho lust echoes of her rich notes floated flown tho chamber and slowly died uway; but in my heart thoy rolled on and on. I havo beard among tho woman singers at Abouthls voices moro perfect than tho roico of Cleopatra, but novor havo I heard ono so thrilling or so sweet with passion's honey-notes. And indeed 'twas not tho roico ulone; 'twas tho perfumed chamber wherein was set all that could move tho sonso; 'twas tho passion of tho thought and words, and tho surpassing graeo and loveliness of that most royal woman who sane them. For, ns she sang, almost did I scorn to think that wo twain wero indeed floating tilouo with tho night, upon tho wide, dark, summer sea. And when sho ceased to touch tho harp, nnd, rising, sud denly stretched out her arms toward mo, and,with tho last low notes of song yet quivering upon her lips, let fall tho wonder of her eyes upon my 03-es, almost did she draw mo to her. Hut I remembered, nnd would not. "Hast thou. then, no word of thanks for my poor sing'ng, Hurmuchis?" sho said at J length. "Yea, O Queen," I answered, speaking very low, for my voice was evoked; "but thy songs nro not good for tho sons of men to hear of a truth thoy ovorwholm mo I" "Nay, Harmachis; for thee there Ib no fear," tiho said, laughing softly "seeing that I know how L.r thy thoughts aro sot from woman's beauty nnd tho common weakness of thy sex. With cold iron va may safely toy." I thought within myself that coldest iron can bo brought to whitest heat if but tho tiro bo fierce enough. Hut I said naught, und, though my hand trembled, onco moro I grasped tho dagger's hilt, nnd, wild with fear at my own weakness, set myself to find h means to slay her while- yet my sonso re mained. "Oomo hither, Harmachis," sho went on, hi her softest voice. "Come, sit by me, und wo will talk togothcr; fori havo much to tell theo." And sho mndo place for mo at her Bido upon tho silken seat. And I, thinking that I might tho moro swiftly strike, rosoiind seated mysoii some llttlo way from her, whllo, flinging back Uor head, sho gazed on mo with her slum berous eyos. Now was my occasion, for her white throat and breast wero bare, uuu, with a mighty effort, onco ngalu 1 lifted my hand to clutch the nagger hilt. Hut, moro quick than thought, fcho caught my lingers with hor own und gently hold thorn. "Why look st thou so wildly, Ear xnaohisl" sboBald. "Art sick?" 'Ay, sick Indeed," I gasped. "Then lean thou upon Uio cushion and rest thee," sho answered, still holding my haud, wherofrom tho strength had fled. "Tho lit will surely pass. Too long hast thou labored with thy stars. How soft Is tho night utr that flows from yonder c.se nunit. tui.-ivvivitli th breath of lilies! Hark to tho whisper of tho sea lapping aguinst tho rooks, that, though faint It is, yet, being , so strong, doth almost drown tho quick, cool , fall of yonder inoutitain. List to Philomel; how swoot from a full heart of love ho sings hor message to her dearl Surely 'tis a lovely night, and most beautiful is .nature's music sung with a. hundred voices 'II II! A from wind and trees niiCl birds nnd ocean's wrinkled Hps, nnd yet sung nil to tunc Listen, Harmachis; something havo I guessed concerning thee. Thou, too, art of a royal raoe; no humblo blood jwurs in thoso veins of thine. Surely such n shoot could spring but from tho stock of Princes I What I gazest thou at tho leaf mark on my breast? 'Tuns pricked thero lit honor of Osiris, whom wi. It theo I worship. Soo I" "Let mo hence," 1 groaned, striving to rise; but nil tr.y strength had gone. "Nay, not yet nwhilc. Thou wouldst not lcavo mo yet I Thou ovist not leave me yet. Harmachis, hast thou never loved I" I "Nay, nay, O Queen 1 What havo 1 to do with lovo I Let mo hence I 1 am faint for done I" "Never to havo loved 'tis strange 1 Never to havo known souio woman-heart beat all in tuuo to thine novor to have seen tho eyes of thy adored n-swlm with, passion's tears as sho sighed her vows upon thy breast 1 Never to havo loved! never to havo lost thyself in the mystery of another's soul; nor to havo learned how Nature can overcome our naked loneli ness, and with tho golden web of lovo of twain weave ono identity? Why, 'tis never to havo lived, Hununchis!" And ever ns sho murmured sho drow nearer to me, till at last, with n long, sweet sigh, she. flung ono white arm about my neck, und gazing upon mo with blue, un fathomable eyes, smiled her dark, slow smile, that, liko an opening flower, re vealed beauty within beauty hidden. Nearer sho bent her queenly form and still more near now hor perfumed breath played upon my hair, and now her lips met mine! Ami, woo is mo! in that kiss, moro dead ly nnd moro strong than tho embraco ol death, wero forgotten lsis, my Heavenly Hoj.c, Oaths, Honor, Country, Friends, uli things savo that Cleopatra clasped mo m her arms and called mo Lovo and Lord. "Now pledge me," sho murmured "pledgo me ono cup of wino in token of thy love." I took tho draught, nnd deep I drank and then too lato 1 know that it win drugged. Buck I fell upon tho couch, nnd, thougl my senses still were with me, I could neither speak nor rise. Hut Cleopatra, bending over mo, drott tho dagger from my robo. "J'reii'ju" sho cried, shaking back hoi Jong haii, "I've won, und for tho stako oi Egypt why, 'twas a game worth playing' With this dagger, then, thou wouldst huv Blaiu me, O my Royal rival, whoso myn nildons e'en now aro gathered ut,my palac gate? Art still awake J Now, what hin ders mo that I should not plunge it to th heartl" I heard nnd feebly pointed to my breast, for fain was I todio. Sho drew herself to the .,., ,'jr'.i iAMmm "I've won!" sue cim:i. full of her imperial height, and tho great knife glittered in her hand. Down it caina till its edges pricked my flesh. "Na3'," sho cried again, nnd cast it from her, "too well I liko theo. Pity 'twero to lny such a .man ! .1 give, theo thy. life. Livo on, lost Pharaoh ! Llvo on, poor fallen Thing, blasted by n women's wit! Livo on, Hnrmuchis to adorn my triumph!" Then sight left mo; and in my ears 1 only heard tho song of tho nightingato, tho mur mur ot the sea, and tho music of Cleo patra's laugh. And ns 1 sank nway tlia sound of that low lnugh still followed mo into the land of steep, and still it follows mo through lifo to death. CHAPTER, XV. OF THE AWAltINQ OF HAHMACTIIS; Ot ITHB SIGHT OF DEATIf, OF THE COMINU OF CtEO PATHA. AND OF UEIt MANY COMFOKTAOI.H WOUDS. MORE I a wo (to; 'twas to And myself in my own chamber. I started up. Surely I, too, hud dreamed a dream. It could bo nothing but u dream. It could not bo that I wolto to know myself a traitor 1 That tho iL over I That 1 had bo- trayed tho cause, and that light thoso bravo men, aded by my undo, had altcd in vain at tho outer gatol That Egypt from Abu unto Athu was oven now waiting waiting In vain! Nay, whatever else might bo, this could not bo I Oh, 'twas an awful dream that I had dreamed 1 A second such would slay a man 1 'Tworo hotter to dio than to faco such another vision sunt from hell. Hut though tho thing was naught but a hateful fantasy of a mind o'orstralued, whero was I now? Whero was 1 now? 1 should bo in tho Alabaster Hull, waiting till Charmlon camo forth. Whero was I J And, O yo gods 1 what was that dreadful thing whoso shupo was as tho shapoofa man? thntthlng draped inblood stained whito and huddled in a hideous heap even at tho foot of the couch whereon I seemed to lie? With a shriek I sprang at it, as a Hon springs, and struck with all my strength. Heavily fell tho blow, and beneath Its weight tho thing rolled over upon its sido. Half mad with terror, I rent nway tho whito covering; and there, his knees bound boneatb his hanging Jaw, was tho Lulled body of a man and that man tho Roman Captain PaulusI Thero ho lay, through his heart a dagger my dagger, handlid with tho pbiux of gold I und piuned by it hUdo to his broad breast a scroll, and, on the scroll, writing iu it Roman character. I drow near and read, and this was tbt writing; UAJlilACniDt'SA L YEHE-EGO'S UM'QUEM. sun unit t: xuias j'a vi us ton ax- US- VISCE- JlXC- Q UW-VJlOOSnE' VIIOSIT. "Oruting, llarmaehit! J vat that lioman Pa' tut tcfiam tliou dldit luborn, ' now Ac if llttttti art traltortt" Kick and faint I staggered buck from tho sight of that whito corpse stainod with its own blood, filuk and faint I staggered back, till tho wall stayed me, whllo without tLz birds sang a merry greeting to tho day. Bolt was no dream, and I was lostl lostl lost! J Uioucht of my asedJatLex AUtf nornhot. mm ansaknai i irfc lastr ' Tea, tho vlolon of ITlm nnsnori:rtti my imou, us ho would bo when they came to tell Ldnt , ;ns son's shamo nnd tho run of his hops. I 1 thought of that patriot priest, my undo Sepa, waiting tho long night through for tho signal which never eatno. Ah, r.nd another thought followed swift ! 11. w muid it go with them? I was not the oly traitor. 1, too, hud been betrayed. H.v whom? Hy yonder Patilus, iorchonoe. If or oast "so i:r messekoeu has Fot sn Trotr I" twero Paulus, ho know but llttlo of thoso who conspired with mo. Hut in my robo had been tho svr-t lists. O Amen! thy wero gone! and tho fate of P.iulus would bo tho fate of all tho patriots of Egypt. And tit this thought my mind gave way. I sank tttid swooned even whero I stood. My sonso camo back to mo and lengthen ing shadows told mo that It was afternoon. 1 staggered to my feet; there still was tho corpse of Paulus, keeping Its awful watch abovo me. Desperately 1 ran to tho door. 'Twas b.irred, und without I heard tho tramp of sentinols. As I stood, they challenged and grounded their spears. Then tho bolts shot bad?, tho door opened, and radiant, chid In Royal uttire, camo tho conquering Cleo patra. Alono sho came, and tho door was shut behind her. 1 stood liko ono distraught; but she swept on till sho was faco to faco with me. "Greeting. Ilarinaehis," sho said, smiliig sweetly. "So my messenger has fouud thee I" nnd slio pointed to tho corpse of Paulus. "I'ahl ho has an ugly look. Hoi guards !" Tho door was opened, and two armed Gauls stopped across tho threshold. "Take away this carrion," said Cleopatra, "and fling it to tho kites. Stay, draw that dagger from his traitor breast." Tho men bowed low, and tho knife, rusted red Willi blood, was dragged from the heart of Paulus and laid upon tho table. Thon thoy seized him by tho head and boiy and staggorcd thence, mid I heard their heavy footfalls as they boro him down tho stairs. "Mettiiuks, H.iruiaelna, thou art in nn evil causo I" she said, wticu.tho sound of tho footfalls had died away. "How strangely doth tho wheel of Fortuuoturnl Hut for that traitor," and sho nodded toward tho door by which tho corpse of Paulus had been carried, "I should now bo as ilia thing to look on as ho is. nnd the red rust on yon der knifo would havo been gathered from I my heart." So it was Paulus who had betrayed mo. "Ay," sho wont on, "and when thou earnest to mo last night, well 1 Hncw that thou earnest to slay. When, tlmo upon time, thou didst place thy hand within thy robe, I know that It grasped a daggor-hllt, and thou wast gathering thy courago to tho deed which little thou didst love to do. Oh I it was iv strange, wild hour well worth tho living, and greatly, from moment to mo ment, did I wonder which of us twain would conquer, as wo matched guilo with guile und forco to force. "Yea,- Harmacliis, tho guards tramp be fore thy door, but bo not deceived. Knew I not that I do hold theo to mo by bonds moro strong than prison chains; know 1 not that I am hedged from ill ut thy hands by a fenco of honor moro hard for theo to pass than all tho spears of all my legions, tiiou hadst been dead oro now, Harmachis. See, hero is thy knife." And sho handed mo tho dagger. "Now slay mo if thou canst." And sho drew neur and toro open tho bosom of her robe, and stood waiting with calm oyes, "Thou canst not slay me," sho went on, "for thero nro things, us I know well, that no man no such man as thou art may do und llvo; and this is tho chief of them to slay tho woman who Is all his own. Nay, stay thy hand! Turn not that dagger against thy breast; for if mo thou mayst not slay, by how much tho moro muyst thou not slay thyself, O thou forsworn Priest of lsis! Art thou, then, so eager to faco that outraged Majesty In Amcnti? With what oyes, thinkost thou, will tho Heavenly Mother look up m her sou who, shamed in all things and fulso to his most sacred vow, comes to greet Hor, his llfo-blood on his hands? Whero, then, will bo tho space for thy atonement if, indeed, thou muyst atono!" Thon I could boar no moro, for my hoart was broken within mo. Alas! it was too truo I dared not dio. To such a pass was I como that I did not even daro to die I I flung myself upon tho couch und wopt wept tears of blood und anguish. Hut Cleopatra camo to me, and, seating herself besldo me, sho strove to comfort me, throwing her arms about my nock. "Nay, Lovo, look up," sho said. "All is not lost for thee, nor am 1 angered against theo. Wo did play a mighty game; but us I warned thee, I matched my woman's magiu ugainst thino, and 1 havo conquered. Hut I will bo open with theo. Hoth as Queen and woman thou hast my pitj ay, und moro; nor do I lovo to seo theo plunged lu sorrow. Well wan It and rignt that thou shouldst strivo to win bad: that th -ono my father seized, und tho undent liberty of Egypt Myself us a lawful Queen had dona tho sumo, nor shrunk from tho deed of darkness whereto I was sworn. Therein, then, thou hast my sympathy, that goes ovor out to what is great and bold. Well is It also that thou shouldst griovo ovor tho greatness of thy fall. Therein, then, as woman as loving woman thou hast my sympathy. Nor is nil lost, Tho plan was foolish -for, as I hold, Egypt never might havo stood alono; for though thou hadst won tho crown und country, at without a doubt thou must havo done, yet was tjioro tho Roman to bo reckoned with. And for thy hopo learn this: Llttlo um I known. Thero is no heart lu this wide land that bents with a truer lovo for iinciout KIkiiu tiiuii does this heart of inin; uuy, not thino own, Uarrnachla. Hut heavily bnvy 1 beun shackled hortttiforo, for wars, rebellions, cnviuti, plots havo hemmed mo tn ou every side, no that I might not horvo my people us I would. Hut thou, Hur machls, shalt show mo how. Thou shall be my counselor und my lovo. Is It a little thing, O Hurmudils, to havo won tho heart of Cleopatra, that heart Ho on thool that thou wouldst have stilled I Ay, thou shalt undo mo to my iwoplo, und together will wo reign, linking thus in ono tho now kingdom and the old. Thus do all things work for good ay, for the vory best and thus, by unotber and u gentler road, shalt thou climb to Pharaoh's throne. 'Boo thou this, Harmachis : thy treachery shall be clouked about as much as may be. Was it, then, thy fault that a Roman knave betrayed thy plans? that, thereon, .i U HI r thou wast uruggcS, Hiy secret papers stolen and their key guessed I Will it, then, bo a blamo to theo that, tho great plot being broken Sail thoso who built it scattered, thou, still faithful to thy trust, didst servo theo of such means ns Nature gavothce, and win tho heart of Egypt's Queen, that, through her gentlo love, thou mlghtcst yet nttam thy ends and spread thy wings of power ncrtw.i tho rolling Nile ? Am 1 nn ill-counselor, thiukost thou, Hnrmaehis!" 1 lifted my head, nnd n ray of hopo crept Into tho darkness of my heart; for when men fall they grasp at feathers. Then, for tho first tune, I spoke. "And thoso with mo thoso who trusted mo - what of thejrj" Ay, ' slio answered, -Amcucnmat, tny father, tho nged Priest of Abydos; nnd Sepa, thy uncle, that fiery patriot, whoso great heart Is hid beneath so common u shell of form; nnd" Methought sho wo(Jd havo said Char niion, but sho i.atnod her not. "And mauv others oh, 1 know them all 1" "Ay I" I said, "what of tliouil" "Seo thou, Hnrmaehis," sho answered, raising and placing her baud upon my arm, "forthysakol will show mercy to them. No moro will I do than must bo done. 1 swear by my throno and by all tho Gods of Egypt that not one hair of tiy aged father's head shall bo harmed by me; und, if it bo not too late, thy uncle Sepu will I also spare, ay, and tho others. 1 will not do as did my forefather Epiphanes, who, when tho Egyptians roso against him, dragged Athinis, Pauslras, Chesuphus and lrobash tus, bound to his chariot not as Achilles dragged Hector, but yet living round tho city walls. I will sparo them all, savo tho Hebrews, if thero bo any Hebrews; for tho Jews 1 halo." "Thero aro no Ilobrows," I said. "It Is well," sho said, "for no Hobrow will I over sparo. Am I then, Indeed, so cruel a women as thoy say? In thy list, O Harmachis, wero many doomed to dio; nnd I havo but taken tho lifo of ono Roman knave, a double traitor, for ho betrayed both mo and theo. Art thou not over whelmed, Ilarinaehis, with tho weight o( mercy which I give thee, becauso such nro a woman's reasons thou pleasost mo, Har machis? Nay, by Seraplsl" sho added, with a llttlo laugh, "I'll chango my mind; 1 will not givo theo so much for nothing. Thou shalt buy It from me, and tho prico shall bo a heavy ono It shall bo a kiss, Harmachis." "Nay," 1 said, turning from that fair temptress, "tho prico is too heavy; I kisa no moro." "Bethink theo," sho unswercd, with n heavy frown. "Hothlnk theo and choose. I am but a woman, llai'llinchls, and ono who Is not wont to suo men. Do ns thou wilt; but this I say to theo if thou dost put md away, I will gather up tho mercy 1 havo meted out. Therefore, most virtuous priest, chooso thou 'twlxt tho heavy burden of my lovo and tho swift death of thy aged fathor and of all those who plotted with him." I glnnced at hor nnd saw that she was angered, for her oyes shono und hor bosom heaved. So, sighing, I kissed her, thoroby setting tho seal upon my shame and bond ngo. Then smiling liko tho triumphant Aphrodite of tho Greeks, sho wont theuco, bearing tho duggor with her. Notyotdld I know how deeply 1 was be trayed; or why I still was loft to draw tho breath of life; or why Cleopatra, tho tiger hearted, had grown merciful. I did not know that sho feared to slay mo lest, sq strong was tho plot nnd so f eoblo hor hold 0pon tho Doublo Crown, tho tumult that might tread hard upon tho tidings of my murder should--even when I was no more shako her from tho throno. I did not know that becaubo of fear and tho weight oj policy only she showed scant mercy tc thoso whom I had betrayed, or that because, of cunning and not for tho holy sake ol woman's love though, iu truth, sho liked mo well enough she choso rather to bind mo to hor by tho fibers of my heart. And yot this will I say In her behalf: Even whon tho dangor-oloud had melted from hor sky sho kept her faith, nor, savo Paulua and ono other, did any suffer tho utmost penalty of death for their part in tho groat plot against Cleopatra's crown and dynasty. Hut many other things they suffered. And so sho wont, leaving tho vision of hor glory to strivo with tho shamo and sorrow of ray heart. Oh, bitter wero tho hour that could now no moro bo mudo light with prayor. For tho link betwoou mo und the Divlno was snapped, and no moro did lsis commune with hor Priest. Hitter woro the hours and dark, but ovor through their darkness shono thostarry.'oyes of Cleopatra, and camo tho echo of hor whispered lovo. For not yot was tho cup of sorrow full. Still hopo lingered In my heart, and ulmostcould I think that I had failed to some hlghoroud, and that oven lu tho depths of ruin I should find another and moro fiowery path to tri umph. 1 For thus thoso do who wlokodly decolvo themselves, striving to lay tho burdon ol their ovil deeds upon the back of Fato, striv ing to boliovo their sin may compass good, and to murder Conscience with tho sharp plea of necessity. Hut naught can it avail, for haud in hand down tho path to sin rush Romorso nnd Ruin, and woo to him thoy follow I Ay, and woo to me, who of all sin hers am tiiy ctiof I CIIAl'TKIt XVL IMPIHBONMENT OF IIAllMACIIIS; TUB BOOIIM OF CIIAIIMIO.V; TUB SETTING FJIKB OF HAH MACIIIS; TII13 COMINU OF QUINTUH UEIXIUS. ,0R u space of eleven day was I thus kept prisoned in my cham bers; nor did I seo anyone savo the sen tries ut my door, the slaves who iu silence brought mu food and drink, and 0 1 o o patru'H self, who (.-uinccontimially. Hut though her words of lovo woro many, naught would she tell mo of how things wont without. Bho came in many moods now guy und laughing, now full of wiso thoughts und speech, and now passionate only und to every mood sho gave somo now-found charm. Full of talk she was as to how I should holp her multo Egypt great and lessen tho bur dens of tho peoplo und fight tho Roman eagles bnck. And though at (li st 1 listened heavily when sho spake thus, by slow ad vance she wrapped me closer ur.d yet tacro close In hermnelo Yob, from which l no escape. .My mind fell lu time with hors. Then I, too, opened something of my heart, nnd somewhat aUo of tho plans that I had formed for Egypt. And she scorned to listen gladly, weighing them well, und spoke of means und methods, tell ing me how sho would purify tho fuith nnd repair tho undent temples ay, and build now onos to tho Gods. And ever she crept deeper und more deep into my heart, till at length, now that all things else hud gouo from mo, I lourned to lovo her with all the unspent passion of my aching soul. Iliad naught left to mu but Cleopatra's lovo, und I twined my ilfo about it, und brooded o'er It as u widow o'er hor only babo. And thus tho very author of my shame becaino my all, my dearest dear, and 1 loved hor with a wild, tlccp lovo that grow and grew, till it seemed to swallow up thopuet and puko tho present ns a dream. For she had con quered me, sho had robbed mo of my honor nnd steeped mo to tho lips in shame, and I, poor, blinded wrotch 1 1 kissed tho rod that smote tno and was her vory slave. Ay, even now, tn thoso dreams which will como when sleep unlocks tho secret heart, nnd sets all its terrors freo to roam through tho open hn'.ls of thought, I seem to seo her royal form, as o:-st I saw It, como with arms outstretched and low's own light shining In her deep eyes, with lips apart nnd flow ing locks, and stamped upon hor faco tho look of utter tonderness that sho alono could wear. Ay, still, after nil tho years, I soem to seo her como ns erst sho came, and still 1 wit it o to know her an unutterable lie. And thus ono day sho camo. She had fled in haste, slio said, from some great council summoned concerning tho wars of Antony lu Syria, and sho ame, us sho had left thocoun'-il, in nil her robes f stato, nnd in her hand tho scepter, and on her brow tho uncus diadem of gold. There sho sat beforo mo laughing; for, wearying of them, sho had told tho envoys, to whom sho gave audience lu tho council, that sho was called from their presence by a sudden message oomo from Homo; nnd to her tho jest seemed merry. Suddenly sho ros, look tho diadom from her brow, nul set It on my hair, and on my shoulders her Royal chlamys, and in my hand the scepter, and bowed tho kneo beforo mo. Thon, laugh ing again, sho kissed moon tho lips and said I was. indeed, her Kiug. Hut. remem bering how l nad been crowned in tno nans of Abouthls, and remembering also that wreath of roses whereof tho odor haunt mo yet, 1 roso palo with wrath and east tho trinkets from mo, asking hor how sho dared to mock mo her caged bird? And methlnks thero was that about mo that startled her, for sho fell back. "Nay, Hnrmaehis,'' sho said, "bo not wroth I How kuowest thou that I mock theo? Howknowest thou that thou shult not bo Pharaoh lu fact and deed?" "What meanest thou?" 1 said. "Wilt thou, thon, wed mo beforo Egypt? How elso can I bo Pharaoh now?" Sho cast down her eyos. "Porchanco, lovo, 'tis In my mind to wed thoo," she said gently. "Listen I" Bho wont on. "Thou growest palo hero in this prison, and llttlo dost thou cat. Gainsay mo not I 1 know it from tho slnves. 1 havo kept theo hero, Hnrmaehis, for thino own sako, that is so dear to mo; nnd for thino own Bako, and thy honoi's Bako, must thou still seem to bo my prison er. Elso wouldst thou bo shamed nnd slaiu ay, murdered secretly. Hut horo can 1 moot theo no moro; thoroforo to-morrow will I freo theo in all Bnvo in tho namo, and thou shalt onco moro bo seen at Courtus my nstrononnr. And this reason will I givo that thn ;?t cloarod. thyself; atjiJ, lUOVO ovor, that thy auguries as regards the war havo been auguries of truth ub, indeed, they havo, though thoreou havo I no causo to thank thee, for mothiulcs thou didst suit thy prophecies (o lit thy causo. Now faro wU; for I must return to those heavy browed ambassadors; and grow not so sud den wroth, for who known what may como to pass 'twlxt theo and mo?" And, with a llttlo nod, sho wont, leaving it on my mind that sho had it in her heart tp tako mo to husband. And, of a truth, I do believe that, at this hour, such was hor thought. For, if sho loved mo not, still sho hold mo dear, and as yet sho hud not wearied of mo. On tho morrow Cleopatrn camo not, but Charmlon camo Charmlon, whom I had not seen slneo that fatal night ot ruin. Sho en tered and stood beforo mo, with pulo faco and downcast eyes, and hor llrst words woro words of bittornoss. - "Pardon mo," sho said, in hor gentlo volco, "in that I daro to como to theo In Cleopatra s place. Not for long is thy joy delayed, for thou shalt seo hor presently. 1 shrank ut hor words, as well I might, and, seeing her vantage, sho seized It. "I come, Harmachis Royal no moro I I como to tell theo that thou art freo I Freo thou art to faco thino own infamy, and sou it thrown buck from every oyo that trusted theo, oven us shadows aro from water. I como to toll theo that tho great plot tho plot of twenty years nnd moro is ut its utter end. Nonu have been slain, indood, unless 'tis Sepa, who has vanished. Hut nil tho leaders havo been sulzcd and put in chains, or drivon from tho land, and thoir party is no more. Tho storm has melted oro it burst. Khom is lost, und lost forever, for her lust hope is gone I No longer may Bho struggle now for all timo must sho bow her nook to tho yoko, and hor back to tho rod of tho oppressor I" I groaned aloud. "Alas, 1 was be trayed I" I said; "Paulus betrayed us." "Thou wast butrayod? Nay, thou thysolf wast the betrayer! How camo it thut thou didst not slay Cleopatru when thou wast alone with her? Auswor, thou for sworn!" "Sho drugged mo," I said again. "O Harmachis I" answered tho pitiless girl, "how low urt thou fullon from that Princo whom onco I know! thou who dost not scorn to bo n Hurl Yea, thou wast drugged - drugged with a lovo philtre I You, thou didst soli Egypt and thy cause for tho prico of u wuuton's klssl Thou Sor row and thou Shamo I" sho went on, point ing hor linger ut ma and fitting her oyes to my fuco, "thou Scorn I thou Outcast I und thou Contempt I Deny It if thou canst. Ay, shrink from mo knowing what thou art, well mayst thou shrink? Shrink mid eruwl to Cleopatra's feet, and kiss hor tundals till such time us it pleases her to trample theo iu thy kindred dirt; but from all honest folic thrinktehriiM" My soul quivered boneath the lash of her blttor hate, but I hud no words to an swer. "Howcornosit,"I said at last in a hoavy voice, "that thuu, too, urt not betrayed, but art horo to taunt mo, thou who onco didst swear that thou didst lovo mo Doing a woman, hast tnou no pity for tho frailty of man?" ".My name was not on tho lists," she said, dropping her dark eyes. "Heroin is an opportunity! betray me also, O Harmachis I Ay, 'tis becuuso 1 onco did lovo theo lost thou, indeed, remember it? thut I feel thy fall tho more. The shamo of ono whom wo onco havo loved must lu some sort becomo our shame, und must ever cling to us lu that wo blindly held n thing so buso closo to our Inmost hcurt. Art thuu also, then, u fool? Wouldst thou, fresh from thy royal wan ton's urins, como to mo for comfort to vie of all tho world?" "How know I," I said, "that it was not thou who, in thy jonloui angor, didst betray our plans I Churmlon,longugo Sepa warned' mo against thee, and of a truth now that I, recall-" " 'tis liko a traitor," she broko in, rod dcnlngtohor brow, "to think that all uro of his fumlly and hold u common mind! Nay, I butrayod thee not; 'twas that Kor knave Paulus, whose heart fulled him nt the lust, und who is rightly served. Nor will I stay to hear thoughts ho base, Hur machls Royal no moro I Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, bids mo suy that thou urt free, and thut sho wults theo in tho Alabaster Hull.'' And shooting ono swift glunco through hor long lushes, sho rarlsled and was gono. Booiico more I came and went about the Court, though but sparingly, for my heart wus full of sliumo and terror, und on every fuco I feared to see tho scorn of thoso who know mo for what I wus. Hut naught I saw, for all those, vvhojmd knowledge of the plot had fled, and for her own saTco no worfl Ht Charmlon spoken. Also Cleopatra had put it about that I was innocent. Hut my guilt lay heavy on mo, nnd mndo mo thin and woro away tho beauty of my coantennnoc. And though I was freo in name, yet was I ever watched; nor might I Bttr beyond tho pdlaeo grounds. And ut length camo tho day that brought with it Quiutus Dellius, thnt fulso Roman knight who ever served tho rising star. Ho boro letters to Cleopatrn from Marcus Antouius the Triumvir, who, fresh from tho victory of Phihppi, was now In Asia, wring ing gold from tho subject kings whorowitli to satisfy tho growl of his logiouarle. Well do I mind mo of tho day. Cleopatra, clad in her robes of state, nttended by tho officers of her Court, among whom I stood, sal iu tho great hall on her throne of gold, and b.ulo tho heralds admit tho Ambassa dor ot Antony theTriumvir. Tho great doors woro thrown wide, and amidst tho blare of trumpets and salutes of tho Gallic guards, clad in glittering golden armor nnd a scar lot cloak of suk, camo tho Roman iu, fol- liij 1 ifeMllftlli nn FIXED HIS OAZB OM CI.EOI'ATIU. lowcLby his sulto of officers. Smoothfnced ho was" awl talr to iooic upon, -. tmr supple form;' but his mouth was cold, and falso woro Ills shifting oyes. And whllo tho heralds called out his name, titles and offices, ns a man who is amazed ho llxod his gazo on Cleopatra, who sat on her throno radlaut with beauty. Then, when tho her alds hnd made an end, and ho still stood thus, not stirring, Cleopatra Bpoko In th Roman tongue: "Orcotiug to thoo, noblo Dellius, envoy of tho most mighty Antony, whoso shadow lios across UlO world as though Mars him Rolf now towered up abovo us potty Princes greetings and woleomo to our poor city of Alexandria. Unfold, wo pray theo, tho purposo ot thy coming." i Still tho crafty Dellius made no answer but stood ns a man amnicd. "What nils theo, noblo Dellius, that thou dost not Bpoak?" nsked Cleopatra. "Has! thou then wandered so long In Asia thnt doors ot Roman speech uro shut to thee? Whattonguo hast thou? Namo it n;id wo'll speak thoroln for to us aro all tongues known." Then at last ho spoko, in a soft, full votco r "Oh, pardon mo, most mighty Egypt, If 1 havo thus been stricken dumb boforo thoo; but too great boauty, liko Death himsolt, doth paralyze the tonguo nnd steal our sonso uway, Tho oyes of him who looks upon the llros of tho mid-day sun nro blind to all beside, and thus this sudden vision of thy glory, Royal Egypt, did o'erwholra my mind, and leavo mo holplcss nnd un witting of all things elso." "Of a truth, noblo Dollius," answered Cleopatra, "thoy touch a pretty school of ilattory yonder in Cihcla." "How goes tho Baylrig horo in Aloxan dria?" replied tho courtly Roman. "'Tha breath of flattery can not watt a cloud,' docs it not? Hut to my task. Here, Royal Egypt, nro lcttors tindor tho hand und seal of noble Antony treating of certain matter ot the State. Is it thy pleasure that I should road thorn?" "Hroalc tho souls and read," shonnswored. And bowing, ho broko tho souls and read. "The Triumviri Melfiubltcte CoiutUuenda, by thon outh of Marchs Antonlus, tho Tri umvir, to Clooputra, by graco of tho Roman peoplo, Quoon of Upper and Lower Egypt, Bond greeting. Whereas, it has como to our knowledgo that thou, Cleopatra, hast, contrary to thy promlso and thy duty, both by thy servant Alllonus and by thy servant Boruplon, tho Govornor of Cyprus, aided the rebel murderer CussIub ugainst tha arms of tho most noblo TriumviraU. And, whereas, It has como to our knowl edge that thou thyself wast but latoly mak ing reudy a great Hoot to this ond. W summon theo that thou dost without delay journey to CIHcia, thero to moot tho noblo Antony, and In person make answer con cerning thoso charges which nro laid against thoo. And wo warn thoo that if thou dost disobey this, our summons, it ia at thy peril. Farowell." The oyos of Cleopatra flushed as sho hourkoned to thoso high words, nnd I saw hor hands tighten on tho golden Hons' heads whorwn thoy rested "Wo havo had tho flattery," sho said, "and now, lost wo bo cloyed with sweota, wo havo its untidoto I Listen thou, Dellius. Tho charges in that letter, or, rathor, in that writ of summons, aro false, as all folk can boar us witness. Hut it is not now, and it Is not to thoo, that wo will mako dofonso of our nets of war and policy. Nor lll wo Joavo our kingdom to journoy into far Cillcia, nnd tuoro, liko some poor suppliant utluw, to plead our causo boforo tho court of tho noblo Antony. If Antony will havo spooch with us und inquire concerning thoso high mutters, tho bou Is open nnd hut welcome bIiuII bo royal. Lot him como hither. That la our nnswer to thoo and to tho Triumvirato. OJ)u!llusl" (to jik continukdJ. Tim I'oorest l'uoplo on Kartli. In both India and Egypt it ia womoa who collect tho fuel for tho family. Thoy do thlH by going along tho road, and gathering up tho dropplnga, which thoy tako homo and dry for Uro-wood.. TJioir wages aro vory small whoro thoy work by tho day, and nolthor mun nor womon got moro than onough to keep an American laborer In clgarn. Farm laborers in India got from six to eight cents a day, ami masons rocolvo about ton cents a dny. In my tour around tho world I found no placo whoro tho peoplo woro 80 poor as In India, and liowhnro olso In tho world will you llnd food ho (icarco that tho people look liko living skolotons, and rogulato tho amount thoy out according to tho amount uucosaary to sustain lifo. In Japan and Ilurraa.li and in Korea tho pooplo aro poor, but tlioir poverty Is nothing liko this. Iu Egypt thoy aro ground to death with taxation, but thoir stomauhs aro not stinted to such a dogroo that thoy can barely keep allvo. Tlioro aro no Higan of sulfering In tho faces ami llmbH ot tho pooplo of Palestino and Turkoy, and tho only placo whoro starvation in eon tlnuully staring tho man lu tho faeo ta In certain districts of India. F. G. Car penter, in National Tribuno. a