The Oregon scout., March 27, 1890, Image 7

CLEOPATRA.
Being an Account of the Fall and
Vengeance of Harmachis, the
Royal Egyptian,
AS SET FORTH BY HIS OWN HAND.
By H. Rider Haggard,
Author of ' King Solomon' Minos,
1 Sho," Allan Quatermaln,"
Etc., Etc., Etc.
Cleopaha se.zeu it anil gazed ITiercon In
silence. Then onco more we went on with
our dread business. And ever us wo un
wound, other ornaments of gold, such us
aro buried with Pharaohs, fell from tho
wrappings collars and bracelets, models
of sistra, and inlaid axe, and an imago of tho
yholy Osiris and of tho holy Khem. At
length all tho bandages were unwound,
and beneath wo found n covering of
coarsest linen; for in thoso days the
craftsmen wore not so skilled in mut
ters pertaining to tho embalming of the
body as now they are. And on the linen
was written in an oval, "Menka-ra, Koyat
Son of tho Suu." This linen wo could" in
no wise loosen, so firm it held to tho body.
Therefore, faint with tho great heat,
choked with mummy dust and tho odor
of spices, and trembling with fear of our
unholy tusk, wrought in that most lonesome
aud holy place, wo laid the body down, and
with knifo ripped uwuy tho last covering.
Tirst wo cleared its head, and now the
laco that no man had gazed on for three
thousand years was open to our view. It
was a great face, with a bold brow yet.
crowned with the Hoyal urajus, beneath
SHE HELP IT TO THE Z.IOHT.
"which tho whito locks, stained yellow by
tho spices, fell in long, struight wisps.
Not tho cold stamp of death, and not, the
slow flight of threo thousand years, had
Wound (lower to mar tho dignity of those
shrunken features. Wo gazed thereon, and
then, mado bold with fear, stripped tho
covering from tho body. There at last it
lay beforo us, stiff, yellow and dread to
see; and on tho leftside, above tho thigh,
was tho cut through which tho cmbalmers
had done their work, but it was sown up so
deftly that scarce could wo And the mark.
"The gems aro within," I whispered, for
I felt that tho body was very heavy. "Now,
if thy heart fail thee not, must thou
make un entry to this poor house of clay
that onco was Pharaoh," and 1 gave her tho
. dagger tlio sumo.dugger which had drunk
V tho life of Paul us.
"It is too lato to ponder," she answered,
lifting her whito and beauteous face and
llxing her bluo oyes, all big with terror,
upon mine own. She took tho daggor, and
with set teetli tho Queen of this day plunged
it into the dead breast of tho Pharaoh of
threo thousand yeaYs ugo. And oven as sho
did so, from the opening of the shaft
where wo had left the eunuch there came
a groaning sound 1 We leaped to our feet,
llllt h 11 I tin 1 1 1 1M-11 in 1 ,1,,.iiii,l, . 1 . . .
ing the lump-light still streamed down.
"It is naught," I said. "Let us make un
end."
Then with much toil we hacked nnd rent
the hard flesh open, and even as wo did so
I heard tho knifo-poiut grate upon tho gems
within.
Cleopatra plunged her hand into tho dead
breast and drew forth somewhat. She held
it to tho light, and gave a little cry, for
from tho darkness of Pharaoh's heart thero
flashed into light and life tho most beau
teous emerald that ever man beheld. Per
fect it was in color, very large, without a
. flaw, and fashioned to u scarabrcus form,
i and on the under side was the oval, in
scribed with the divine namo of Monka-ra,
Son of the Suu.
Again, again, and yet ngain she plunged in
her hand und drew from Pharaoh's breast
great emeralds bedded there in spices.
Some were fashioned and some wcro not;
but all wore perfect in color, without a
flaw, and in valuo priceless. Again and
again sho plunged her whito hand into that
dread breast, till at length all were found,
and there were ono hundred and forty and
height of such gems as nro not known in
tho world. And the last timo that she
eurched sho brought forth not omeratds,
indeed, but two great pearls, wrapped in
linen, such ns never havo boon seen. And
of theso' pearls more hereafter.
So it was done, und all the mighty treas
uro lay glittering in a heap beforo us. Thero
it lay, and there, too, lay tho regalia of gold,
tho spiced und sickly scented wrappings,
and tho torn body of white-haired Pharaoh
Monka-ra, tho Osiriun, tho over-living in
Aincnll.
Wo rose, and a great awo fell upon us,
now that tho deed was done and our hearts
were no more upborne by tho rage of eager
search so great un awe, indeed, that wo
couiu not speuK. l maue a sign to uieo
patra. She grasped tho head of Pharaoh
and I grasped his feet, and togother wo
lifted him, climbed the sphinx', und placed
him onco more within his coflln. On him
I pilfed the torn mummy cloths, und on them
laid tho lid of the coflln.
And now wo gathered t tho great gems,
"fau BUCU oi uiu uruanr
easo bo carried, and llu -1
could, within tho foldb
those that wero left did I
her breast. Heavily lai.
treasure, wo gave one
i as might with
' I hid, as many as
f my robe. And
"opatruhido upon
ti with priceless
.jst look at tho
at the great sar
dreadful, solemn place,
cophagus, and tho sphinx whereon it rested,
-whoso faco of awful culm seemed to mock
us with its everlasting smile of wisdom.
Then wo turned and wentfrom tho tomb.
At the shaft we halted. 1 called to the
eunuch, who stayed above, and mothought
thataffint mocking laugh answered mo.
10O Bumicii yiu lot ur iu tun iikuiu, auu
fearing that, should we delay, Cleopatra
being strong anu quica, mounted oy u i nu
gainer M paKP. iudiu uuillt. lliu iuu4J,
buttbacunuch I saw not. Thinking surely
tLat he wan u little way down tho passago
ami stent a. In truth, he did I bade Cleo-
latra make fust the rope about her middle,
mi unin 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 iuuur uiun uut uu. a iil.ii.
,1 ... V. IT ii . it mniruil nr . 1 1 1 Vi
ho limps to seek tho eunuch,
t'flk hiU b.ceu stricken yyJJh terror, and,
leaving the lamp, hath fled," said" Cleo-
patra. "Oh, yo Gods I who is that seated
there!"
I peered into the darkness, thrusting out
the lamps, and this is what their light fell
on this, at tho very dream whereof my i
sou. sickens! There, facing us, his back
resting against tho rock, and on either sido
his hands splayed upon tho .floor, sut tho '
eunuch dead I His eyes and mouth wero
open, his fat checks dropped down, bis thia
i hair yet seemed to bristle, and on his coun
tenance was frozen such n stamp of hideous
terror as well might turn the beholders'
brain. Andlol fixed by its hinder claws,
even to his chin, hung that mighty ba.
which, flying forth when wo entered the
pyramid, vanished in tho sky, but which,
returning, had followed us to its depths.
Thero it hung upon tho dead man's chin,
slowly rocking itself to aud fro, and wo
could sco the fiery eyes shining in its evil
head.
Aghast, utterly aghast, wo stood and
stared at the hatoful sight; till presently
tho bat spread his huge wings, and, loosing
his hold, sailed to us. Now he hovered be
foro Cleopatra's face, fanning her with his
wings. Then with a scream, like a woman's
shriek of fury, seeking his violated tomb,
the accursed Thing flitted on nnd van
lshed down the well into tho sepulchcrs. I
fell against the wall. But Cleopatra sank
in a heap upon tho floor, and, covering her
head with her arms, sho shrieked till the
hollow passages rung with tho echoes of her
cries, that seemed to grow and double and
rush along in volumes of shrill sound.
"Hise!" I cried, "rise and let us henco
ere the Spirit shall return to haunt usl If
thou dost suffer thyself to bo overwhelmed
hero in this place, lost art thou forever."
Sho staggered to hor feet, and never may
I forget the look upon hor ashy face or in
her glowing eyes. Seizing lumps, with a
rush we passed the dead eunuch's horrid
form, I holding her by the hand. Wo gained
the great chamber, where was tho sar
cophagus of the Queen of Menka-ra, and
traversed its length. We fled along tho
passage. What if the Thing hud closed
tho threo mighty doors? No, they wero
open, nnd we sped through them; tho last
only did I stay to close. I touched tho
stoiio, as I knew how, and tho great door
crashed down, shutting us off from the
presence of tho dead eunuch and the Hor
ror that hnd hung upon the eunuch's chin.
Now we were in the white chamber with
the sculptured panels, and now wo fnced
the last steep ascent. Oh, thut last ascent 1
Twice Cleopatra slipped and fell upon the
polished floor. The second time 'twas
when half the distance had been done sho
let fall her lamp, and would, indeed, hava
rolled down the slide baa l not savea ner.
But, in doing thus, I, tc, let fall my lamp,
that bounded away into shadow beneath us,
and wo wero in utter darkness. And per
chanco about us, in the darkness, hovered
that awful Thing 1
"Bo brave!" I cried. "O love, bo brave,
and Strugglo on, or both nre lost I Tho way,
though steep, is not far; nnd, though it ba
dark, scarce can we como to harm in this
straight shaft. If tho gems weight thee,
cast them away!"
"Nay," sho gasped, "that will not I:
this shall not be endured to no end. I di
with them!"
Then it was that I saw tho grealncss of
this woman's heart; for in the dark, nnd
notwithstanding tho terrors wo had passed
and tho awfulness of our state, she clung
to mo and clambered on up that dread
passage. On wo clambered, hand In hand,
with bursting hearts, till there, by the
mercy or the anger of tho Gods, at length
we saw the faint light of tho moon creeping
through the littlo opening in the pyramid.
Ono strugglo more, now tho hole was
gained, nnd, like a breath from Heaven,
the sweet night air played upon our brows.
1 climbed through, und, standing on the pile
of stones, lifted und drugged Cleopatra
after mo. She fell to tho ground aud then
sank down upon it motionless.
With trembling hands I pressed upon th
turning stone. It swung to and caught,
leaving no mark of the secret place of entry.
Then I camo down, and having pushed
away tho piloof stones, turned to Cleopatra.
Sho had swooned, and notwithstanding th
dust and grime upon her face, so palo il
was that at first I believed sho must bo dead.
But, placing my hand upon her heart, I felt
it stir beneath; and, being spent, I flung
myself down beside her upon tho sand to
gather up my strength again.
CHAPTER XIX.
OF TnK COMINO BACK Or HAIIMACHIS; OF Till
GHEKTINO OF CHAFIMION; AND OF THE AN
RWEH OF CI.EOI'ATUA TO QU1NTUS I) E 1.1. 1 U 8,
THE AMBASSAPOH OF ANTONY THE Till-
umvih.
RESENTLY I lifted
myself, and laying
the head of Egypt'i
Queen upon my knee,
strove to cull hei
back to life. How
fair sho seemed, even in
her disarray, hor long
hair streaming o'er her
breast! How deadly fall
she seemed in tho fain)
light this woman tlx
story of whose beauty
and whoso em shall outlive the
solid mass of mighty pyramid that
towered over usl Tho heaviness of hei
swoon hud smoothed away nil tho false
ness of her fuco. und naught was lofi
but the stump divine of woman's richest
loveliness, softened by shadows of tho night
and dignified by tho cast of deathlike- sleep.
I gazed upon tier and ull my heart went out
to her; it seemed that I did but love hor
moro because of tho dopth of the treasons
wherein I had sunk to reach her, and bo
cause of the terrors wo had outfaced to
gether. Weary and spent with fears und
tho pangs of guilt, my heart sought hers
for rest, for now sho ulono was left to me.
Sho had sworn to wed mo also, nnd with
the treasure wo hud won wo would muke
Egypt strong and freo her from her foes,
and ull should yet be well Ah I could I
have seen tho picturo that was to bo, how,
and in what place and circumstances, once
again this very woman's bead should be
laid upon my knee, pale with that cast of
death I Ah I could I have seen I
I chafed her hand between my hands, j
bent me sad kissed hor on the lips, and she
woke. Sho woko with a little sob of fear
a shiver ran down her delicate limbs', and
with wide eyes she stared upon my face.
"Ah, it is thou I" she said. "I mind me
thou hact saved me from that horror
haunted place!" And she threw her arms
about my neck aud drew mo to her und
kissed me. "Come, love," sho said, "lot us
be going! I am sore athirst, and ah I
soverywoaryl The gems, too, they chafo
my breast I Never was wealth so hardly
won I Como, let us bo going from the
shadow of this ghostly spot! See tho faint
lights glancing from the wing of Dawn I
How beautiful they are, and how sweet to
behold I Never, In those Halls of Etornal
Night, did I think to look upon the blush of
dawn again! Ahl I can see tho face of
that dead slavo yet, with the Horror hang
lngtohls beardless chin' Bethink thoel
there he'll sit forever there-with the
horror! Come; whoro may we find water!
I would glveun emerald for acupof water!"
"At tho canal ut tho borders of tho tilled
land below tho temple of Horeraku It Ii
cloial hjud." I (4uweredj 'Jl .any see
I
I
w
us, we wlIT say that wo aro pilgrims who
have lost our way at night among the
tombs. Vail thyself closely, therefore,
Cleopatra; andbewaru lest thou dost show
aught of those gems about thee."
Bo sho vailed herself, and I lifted her on
to tho nss which was tethered close nt hand.
Wo walked slowly through the sand till m
came to the place where the symbol of th
God Horcmku, fashioned as a mighty sphinx
(whom the Greeks call Harmachis), and
crowned with tho royal crown of Egypt,
looks out in majesty across tho land, his
eyes over fixed upon the East, Even as we
walked tho first arrow of tho risluc sun
quivered through tho gray air, striking
upon Horemku's lips of holy "calm. Then the
light gathered nnd grew upon tho gleaming
sides of twenty pyramids, und, like u prom
ise of Life to Death, roiv.ed on the portals of
ten thousand tombs. Then from his horizon
bed Royal Ita rose up In pomp, und it was
day.
And passing tho temple of granito and of
alabaster that was built beforo tho days of
Chufu, to tho glory of tho majesty of Hor
emku, wo descended tho slopo and came to
tho water of tho canal. Thoro wo drank;
and sweeter was that draught of muddy
water than nil tho choicest wino of Alex
andria. Also wo washed tho mummy dust
and grime from our hands and brows and
mado us clean. And ns she bathed her
neck, stooping over tho water, ono of tho
great omerulds slipped from Cleopatra's
breast und fell into tho water, nnd it was
but by chatico that at length I found it in
tho mire. Then, onco more, I lifted Cleo
patra oil to tho beast, and slowly, for I wns
very weary, wo marched back to the banks
of Slhor, whero our craft was. And having
at length como thither, seeing no one savo
6omo fow peasants golug out to labor on tho
lands, I turned tho uss loose In that s imo
field whero wo had found him, nnd wo
boarded the craft whllo tho crew woro yet
sleeping. Then, waking them, wo bade
thorn mako all sail, saying that wo had left
tho eunuch to sojourn awhile behind us, as
in truth wo had. So wo sailed, and the
gems, with such of tho ornaments of gold
as wo could bring hither, wo hid away.
Four duys and more we spent in coming
to Alexandria, for tho wind was for tho
most part agaiust us; and they wore happy
daysl At first, Indeed. Cleopatra wis
somewhat silent and heavy at heart, for
what sho had seen and felt in the womb of
tho pyramid woighed her down. But soon
her imperial spirit nwoke and shook tho
burden from her breast and sho bocamo
herself again now gay, now learned ; now
loving and now cold; now queenly and now
altogether simple over chunging us the
winds of heaven, and, as tho heaven, deep,
beauteous und unsearchable I
Night after night for those four unhappy
nights, tho last happy hours I evor wus to
know, wo sat hund In hand upon tho deck
and heard tho waters lap tho vessel's side,
and watched tho soft footfall of tho moon
ns sho trod tho depths of tho Nile. Thero
wo sat aud tulked of love, talked of our
marriage and all that wo would do. Also I
drew up plans of war und of defense against
tho Roman, which now we had tho means
to carry out; and sho approved them,
bwcetly saying that what seemed good to
mo was good to her. And so nil too swiftly
passed tho days. O thoso nights upon the
Nile! thoir memory haunts mo yet I Dead
are thoso dear nights, dead is tho moon
that lit them and lost in tho wido salt sea
aro the waters which rocked us on thoir
breasti For ull things end in dannics? ana
ashes, and those who bow in folly shall reap
iu sorrow. Ah ! thoso nights upon tho Nile I
And so, nt length, onco moro wo stood
within the walls of that fair palaco on tho
Lochias, and tho dream was done.
'Whither hast thou wandered with Cleo
patra, Harmachtsi" uskod Charmlon of mo
when I met hor by chuueo on that duy of
return. "On some now mission of betrayult
or was it but n love journey?"
"I went with Cleopatra upon secret busi
ness of tho State," I answered, sternly.
"So thoso who go sccrotly, go evilly; und
foul birds love to Uy ut night. Not but what
thou urt wise, for source would it beseem
thee, Hurmachis, to show thy faco in
Egypt."
1 heard, and felt my passion riso within
mo; for ill could 1 boar this fair girl's scorn.
"Hast thou never a word without u
sting?" 1 asked. "Know, theu, that I went
whither thou liadst never dared to tro: to
gather means to hold Egypt from tho grasp
of Antony."
"So!" sho answored, looking up swiftly.
"Thou foolish man 1 Better hadst thou done
to savo thy labor, for Antooy will grasp
Egypt in thy despite. What power hast
thou to-day iu Egypt)"
"In my dospito that ho may do; but in dc
splto of Cleopatra that ho can notdn," 1
said.
"Nay, but with the aid of Cleopatra ho
can and will do it," sho unswarsd, with a
bittor smile. "Whon tho Quen sails in
stato up Cydnus' stream sh will surely
draw this coarso Antony thence to Alex
andria, conquering, and yet, lKto thco, a
slave!"
"Itlsfalso! I say that it is false! Cleo
patra goos not to Tarsus, nnd Antony
comes not to Alexandria; or, if ho come,
'twill bo to take tho chanco of war."
"Now, thinkest thou thus?" sho un-
sworou, with u littlo luugh. "Wnll, If it
please thee, think as thou wilt. Within
threo duys thou shalt know. 'TIs prottv
to see how easily thou urt fooled. Pure
well 1 Go, dreum on Love, for surely Love
is sweet."
And sho went, leaving mo angerod and
troubled nt heart.
Thut duy I saw Cleopatra no moro, but
on the day which followod I saw hor. She
was in n heavy mood, mid had no gontlo
word for mo. I spake to her of tho dofenso
of Egypt, but sho put the matter away.
"Why dost thou weary mo?" she said,
with anger; "canst thou not seo that lam
lost in troubles? Whon Dellius hath had
hU answor, then will wo speak of these
matters."
"Ay," Isold, "when Dolllus hath hud his
answer; and knowest thou that but yester
day Charmion whom ubout tho palaco
they namo the 'keeper of tho Queen's
secrets' Charmlon did swear thut tho an
swer would bo: 'Uo in peuco; I come to
Antony?"
"Nuught knows Cliurmion of my heart," "
said Cleopatra, stamping her foot in anger,
"and if sho talk so freely tho girl shall bo
scourged from out my court, as Is her de
sert. Though, in truth," she added, "sho
hath moro wisdom in that small heud of
hers thun ull my privy councillors ay, und
moro wit to usu it. Knowest thou thut I
havo sold it portion of thoso gems to the rich
Jews of Aloxnndrla, and at a great prico,
uy, ut live viousand scstortla for each ono.
But a few, iu truth, for moro they could not
buy as you 'Twos ruro to see thoir eyos
when they fell upon them largo as apples
they grew with avarice und wonder. And
now leave me, Harmachis, for I urn weary,
Tho memory of that dread night is with me
yet."
I bowod and rose to go, and yet stood
wavering.
"Pardon mo, Cleopatra; 'tis of our mar
riage." "Our raarrlago I Why, nro wo not indeed
already wed?" sho unswercd.
"Yes, but not beforo the world. Thou
aids promise."
"Ay, Harmachis, I did promlso, and to
morrow, when I have rid ma of this Dellius,
1 wilLkerp my nrQjnUeiiindjiurae tiicq CJejj
patra's Lord beforo tho court. Seo thut I
Vhou art iu thy place. Art content?" 1
And she stretched out her hand for mo to j
kss, looking on mo with strango eyes, as ;
though sho struggled with herself Then I i
wen'., bu that night onco more I strovo to '
see CJoopatru and could not. "Tho Lady
Charmion was with the Queen," so Bald th '
euuuchs, and none might enter. ,
On tho morrow tho court met in tho great
hall ono hour beforo midday, nnd thither 1
went with n trembling heart to hear Cleo
patra's answer to Dellius nnd to hear myself '
also made King consort to tho Queen of
Ecypt. It was a full nnd splendid court; ,
thero wero councillors, lords, captains,
eunuchs and waiting women all savo Char
mlon. Tho hour passed, but Cleopatra nnd i
Charmlon came not. At length Charmion '
entered gently by a sido entrance and took I
her placo umong tho waiting ladies about 1
tho throne. Een ns sho did so she cast a
glauce nt me, and thero was triumph in her
eyes, though over what sho triumphed I 1
knew not. Littlo did I guess that sho had I
but now brought about my ruin and sealed
tho fato of Egypt. j
Theu presently tho trumpets blared, ami.
clad in her robes of state, tho uncus crown
upon her bend, and on her breast, Hashing
liko a star, that great emerald scarabxus
, which she had dragged from dead Pha
raoh's heart, Cleopatra, followed by a gilt
tering guard of Northmen, swept iii splen
dor to her throne. Dark wus her lovely
face, nnd dark her slumbrous eyes, und
, none might read their message, though nil
I that court searched therein for a sign of
what should come. Sho seated horsclf
slowly us ono who may not bo moved, and
spoko to tho Chief of tho Heralds In the
Greek touguc:
"Does tho Ambassador of tho noble
! Antony wait?"
The herald bowed low and mado assent,
! "Let him como In nnd hear our
answer."
Tho doors woro flung wido, nnd, fol
, lowed by his train of knights, Dellius, clad
in his golden urnior and his purple
chlamys, walked with catlike stop up tho
I (Treat hall, and mado obclsnuco beforo tho
i throno.
I "Most Hoyal nnd beauteous Egypt," he
! said, In his soft voice, "as thou hast gra
ciously been pleased to bid me,thy servant, I
i am horo to tuko thy answer to tho letter of
tho noblo Antony the Triumvir, whom to
! morrow 1 suil to meet ut Tarsus, in Cilicla.
1 And this will 1 say, Royal Egypt cruving
, pnrdon tho whilo lor tho boldness of my
i speech bethink thco well beforo words
that can not be unspoken fall from thosu
sweet lips. Defy Antony, und Antony will
wreck thee. But, liko thy mother Aphro
i dlte, rise glorious on his sight from tho
bosom of tho Cyprian Wave, uud for
1 wreck ho will givo thee all that can bo
dear to woman's Royalty empire nnd
pomp of place, cities uud tho swuy of men,
famo aud wealth and the diadem of rule
mado sure. For murk: Antony holds this
I Eastern World in tho hollow of his warlike
hand, and at his will kings arc, uud at his
frown they ceaso to bo.
And Dellius bowed his head, and folding
his hands mookly on his broast, awuited
nnswer.
For nwhllo Cleopatra answered not, but
tnt like tho sphinx Horemku, dumb nnd iu
fcrutnble, gazing with lost eye3 down tho
length of thut ureat hall.
Then, liko soft music, her answer came,
and trembling I listened for Egypt's chul
lengo to tho Roman :
"Noble Dellius, much have wo bothought
us of tho matter of thy mcssago from great
Antony to our poor Royalty of Egypt,
Much havo wo bethought us, und counsel
havo wo tuken from thuoruclcs of tho gods,
from the wisost eniong our friends, nnd
from tho teaching of our heart, thut over,
liko a nesting bird, broods over our people's
went. Sharp aro tho words that thou hast
brought ucross tho sou; mothluks better had
-acy been fitted to tho oars of bomo potty.
fuilf-tamed Prince than to thoso of Egypt's
Oueen. Therefore have wo numbered the
icgions that wo can gather, and thotricrmes
snd tlie-galloys wherowitli wo may breast
iho sea. nnd tho moneys which shall buy us
all things wauling to our war. jna itni
wo find, thut, though Antony bo strong, yet
hath Egypt r.aught to fear from the strength
of Antony."
Sho paused, and a murmur of appluuso
of her high words ran down tho hall.
Only Dellius stretched out his hands us
though to push them back. Then camo the
end I
"Noble Dellius! Half aro wo minded
thero to bid our tongue stop, und, strong
within our fortresses of stono und our other
fortresses built of the hearts of men, abide
THOSE MOUTH UPO.V THE NILE."
tho issue. And yet thus shalt thou not
go. Guiltless uro we of those charges
BgalnBtus thut huvo como to our curs of no
blo Antony, uud which now ho rudely shouts
in ours; nor will wo journey into Clllciato
answer them."
Horo tho murmur arose anew, whllo my
heart bout high iu triumph, und in tho pause
that followed Dellius spoke onco moro.
' ,"Thon, Royul Egypt, my word to Antony
is word of war?"
"Nay," she unswercd, "it shall bo ono of
peace. Listen I Wo said that wo would not
como to mako answer to theso charges, nor
will we. But- " and sho smiled forthoflrst
timo "gladly will wo come, and that swift
ly, In royal friendship to mako known our
fellowship or peuco upon tho bunks of Cyd
nus." I heard, uud was bewildered. Could I
bear urightl Wus It thus that Cleopatra
kept her oaths? Moved beyond tho hold of
reason, I lifted up my voico and cried:
"O Queen, remember I"
Like a lioness sho turned upon ine, with a
flashing of tho eyes und a swift shako of
hor lovely head,
"Peace, Slave I" sho said ; "who bado thee
break in upon our counsels! Mind thou thy
stars, and leuvo matters of tho world to tho
rulera of the world!"
I sank back shamed, and ns I did so onco
moro I saw tho amllo of triumph on tho face
of Charmlon, followed by what was, per
chance, tho shadow oplty for my full.
"Now that yon brawling charlatan," said
Dellius, (Minting at mo with his Jeweled
finger, "huth been rebuked, grant mo
louve, O Egypt, to thank thco from the
heart for theso gentle words,"
"Wo aik no thanks from thoe, nobU
Itelllus; nor lie; It la thy mouth. U
'tfr nmas am
"OH,
chido our servant," broko in Cleopatra,
irownmg neavuy; "we will tako thanki
from tho lips of Antony alone. Get then tc
thy master, nnd sny to him that oro ho can
mako ready u fitting weleoim our keels
nh nil follow in the track of t'uuo. And
doit farewell! Upon thy vessol thou shall
Und some small tokeu of our bounty."
Dellius bowed thrico and withdrew,
while the court stood waiting tho Queen's
word. And 1. too, waited, wondering if she
vonld yet make good her promiso and nam
no Hoyal Spouso thero in tho facoof Egypt,
But naught sho said. Only still frowning
heavlly.shoroso and, followed by tho guards,
left tho throne and passed into the Alabas
ter Hull. Then tho court broko up, und ns
tho lords and councillors went by they
looked on mo witli mockery. For though
none knew ull my secret nor how it stood
'twist mo und Cleopatra, yet wero they
jealous of tho favor shown mo by tho
Queen, utid rejoiced greatly ut my fall.
But 1 took no heed of their mocking as I
stood dazed with misery nnd felt tho world
of Uopo sli from 'neath my foot
CHAPTF.K XX.
1 op tiik nr.pnoAcit or haismachis: or tiif
rtlllLUULK OF UAIIMACIUS WITH THK
ULA :p.; OF Till: QUICK 1U.OW STUUCK 11V
HI:i:X.NUS, AMI or THK SECUET SCKKC1I Ot
CIXOVAT-IA.
'ND ut length, a" being
gone, 1, too, turned
to go, when n eunuch
struck mo on tho
shoulder und roughly
bado mo wait on the
presence of tho Queen.
An hour past und this
fellow would havo
crawled to mo on his
knees; but ho had heard,
and now ho treated mo
brutish is tho nature of such
ives as tho world treats the
fallen, with scorn. For to como low ufter
being great is to learn all shame. Un
happy, therefore, aro tho great, for thoy
may fall!
I turned upon tho slavo with so fierce a
word that, cur-like, ho' sprang behind mo;
thon 1 passed on to tho Alabaster Hull, nnd
was admitted of tho guards. In the cen
ter of tho hall, nigh to tho fountain, sal
Cleopatra, und with her wcro Charmlon
and the Greek girl Iras, nnd Mcrlra nnd
other of her waiting ladles. "Go," sho
said to these, "I would speak with my as
trologer." So thoy went, and loft us faco
to faco.
"Stand thou thore," sho said, lifting hor
faco for tho first time. "Como not near
mo, Harmachis; I trust thco not. Per
chance thou hast found unothor dagger.
Now, what hast thou to say? By what right
didst thou daro to break in upon my talk
with the Roman!"
1 felt the blood rush through mo like a
storm, bitterness and burning auger took
hold upon my heart. "What hut Aou to
say, Cleopatra?" I answered boldly.
"Where is thy oath, sworn on the dead
heart of Menka-ra, tho over-living! Whoro
HOW thy challenge to this Roman Antony?
Whero thy oath thnt thou wouldst call mo
'husband' iu tho faoo ftf Egypt?" And I
choked and ceased.
"Well does it becomo Harmachis, who
never was forsworn, to spoak to me of
oaths!" sho said, In bittor mockery. "And
yet, O thou most pure Priest of lsis;aud
yet, O thou most faithful friend, who novor
didst betruy thy friends; and yot, O thou
most stead fust, houorublo and upright
man, who novor didst barter thy birthright,
thy country nnd thy cause for tho price of
woman's passing love; by what token
ktiQv:cst thou, tliej, in; wool U voidt"
TO UK CONTINUKD.I
'A LITTLE NONSENSE.
"ICurlino. wliud jor doln' wid yo'
ben' fur liuiirv" "Only jes' sprinklln' a
little hair restorer on it. Do wool's
fallin' out." Timo.
1'liyHiciun -"Why. man, you sont
word you had tho grip." l'atlont "1
know, doctor, lint I didn't think you'd
take time to visit a fellow who only hnd
a common every duy broken leg." Phil
adelphia Inquirer.
Smarty -"I wonder how tho moon
niaiiagcH to sustain hor social status
(timing the heavenly bodies whon sho
gets full so often." Tarty "Oh, the
stars all wink at hor delinquencies."
Drake's Magazine.
I'onsonby "I understand that Dig
by's wife is deaf and dumb." SnnRgs
'That so? I wondor if sho convorses
with hor lingers'.'" I'onsonby "Guess
so. DIghy is about tho baldest man I
ever saw." Burlington Freo Pross.
- Kmployor "William, Mrs. Sprlg-
I gins eompluhis that sho rocoivod only
ano of the bundles sho hud put up horo
last night," William "That's funny,
sir. I wrote Mrs. Sprlgghis on ono
bundle and put ditto on ouch of tho
others."
- llrido- "Are thero many tunnols on
this railroad, Charles, dear'.'" Brldo-
grooui "Quito a number, dearest.
selected It on purpose. If I roniombor
rightly wo uro coining to ono In n fow
moments." Itrakotnan (ontoring) "So
loot your partners for tho tunnol,
please." America.
Stnrn Parent "You can not bnvo
my daughter unless you lovo hor ns
your life." Lovor "Oh, sir, I'll dlo if
Alio isn't mine." Storn l,urontr-"Vhat,
sir'.' on would take your llfo?" Lovor
"No, I would hardly do that." Storn
Parent "Then you can't tako
daughter." -Munsoy's Weekly.
my
ntrangcr noro uocs that now
dentist havo his olHcoV" Policeman
"You moun tho ono who pulls tooth
without pain'.'" Stranger "Yos." Po
liceman "Go right around tho cornor.
You will havo no trouble finding bis
olllco. You can hoar bis putkjnts yoll
half a block nwuy." Toxus Siftlngs.
John "Clara, Pvo got an Impor
tant quostion to usk you." Clara "I
know what It Is. You wunt mo to bo
your wife. I dreamed it. Woll, tuko
mo." John (rather nonplussed) "You
dreamed it?" Clara "Yos, I droamod
last night thut you uskod mo what I um
asking you, and that you took me in
your arms und kissed mo after I said
you" What could John do? Boston
Courier.
Musician "I am gutting up a bono
fit concert, and havo boon traveling
around selling tickets all tho morning,
I havo dono all tho work myself, por
Nuaded people to tuko part without pay,
hired tho bull, sold tickets, now I want
you to print tho programmes." Printer
"Yos, sir. What shall wu coll tho
ulralr?" Musician "How would it do
to nay: 'A spontaneous testimonial
tondorod to Mr. Htrummor by bia muny
friends?' " -Kxcbungo,
POWDERS USED ABROAD.
KffiiM to Sntrx the I'rottlrin of n Itattl
Without Smoke.
Nothing is receiving moro attention
just now from olllcers of tho army nnd
navy than now powders. So far four
European countries nro known to pos
sess a distinct nitrate powder. Those
countries are France, Germany, Italy,
Belgium. All but tho French powder
nro believed to lie still in nn experi
ment!.! state, though It is dilllcult to
learn any tiling definite from tho gov
ernment sources.
Dr. Grilltths. the renowned export on
powders, Is the only living ninti out
side of tho olllciul circles of the French
government known to have bad in .bis
possession one of the now Lebel rifio
cartridges. Dr. Grilllths was employed
by the French government under an
oath of secrecy to examine and give an
opinion on the Lobel powder. All
that ho has publicly said is: "If all
the Lobel powder is tho sumo as that
handed to mo it is certainly most oxcol
lent." Vague rumors havo been circu
lated to the oflVet that tho Lebol powder
speedily deteriorates under certain cli
matic tntluoncos. Even this report can
not bo continued or denied, but, judging
from Dr. Gritllths' opinion of tho nitrate,
it is fair to presume that tho powder la
serviceable.
Tho Gorman powder Is entirely dis
tinct from tho Lobel powder, but no re
port has yot been received that it gives
to a projectile :in Initial velocity of over
'-MOD foot por second, ns does tho Lobot
powder. Or tho Italian powder, tho
last report received aays that the Italian
Government has ordered tho imniodiato
cessation of the nianufacturo of tho now
cartridges, serious defects in it having
been discovered. As to tho Belgian
powder, nothing definite is known.
Tho French and Germans claim to
hnv passed tho experimental stage;
Belgium lays claim to tho samo honor.
Austria nnd Russia aro oxaminlnjr
smokeless powders. Uoport has if that
Kussia will bo provided with tho Lobol
powder in tho event of nllying horsolf
with Franco una tho "powers."
From England conies tho story that
when tho Emperor of Austria saw tho
work with tho German's smokejowt
powder during tho cont nmntuuvreH
ho Instantly oxcluiined: "No miok
powder for mo, None of it for Austria.
If my troops use such powdor thoy will
no longer bo enveloped with smoko.
They will becomo exposed. Nono of it,
I sny, for Austria." But in a wook tho
Emperor changed bis mind.
Tbo only smokeless powdor ovor in
troduced into tbo United Stntos is tho
Schultzo sporting powdor. Kxcnpt for
sporting purposes the Schultzo powdor
has no especial advantages. Tho pow.-
iior ts tho invention of a Gorman army
olllcor named Sobultzo, who sold out bin
rights to nn English ilrm. Tho powdor
is whito, und weighs nbout ono-half as
much us the host grndo of black powdor.
In ollioionoy the Sobultzo powder is
equal to tho best grndoof blnck powdor.
It is oxtromoly clean, and is nonrly
smokeless.
Hut us a rillo powdor tho Schultzo is
impracticable. It is very quick hi burn
ing, and this disqualifies It for uso in
lilies. Tho samo objection applies to
its use In heavy ordnance. To uso a
charge of PJ5 pounds of Schultzo powder
in ono of tho 8-inch rifles would, in
ull likelihood, burst the gun without nf
fording any Velocity to tho projectile
Dr. GrillltliH is working on tho Schultzo
powder with tbo object of nduptlng it to
rillo uso. Tho powder has been moist
ened so as to give it slowness in burn
ing, and in that condition bus given
good results in riflos. But in vory dump
uir it Is found that tho powdor bocomos
still moro moist, and ngain undor tho
reverse conditions it Jlrles rapidly. Tho
English, it is undorstood, havo tho first
claim on tbo Sohulta powdor should
Dr. Grillltli succeed in adapting it to
rillo and ordnance uso.
It Is certain, bowovor, Hint wbntovor
tho United Stntos Govornmont doos in
th o matter of obtaining a smokeless
powder, it will novor consent to buvlnir
It front foreign firms uiiIcbs those firms
agree to establish works in this country.
i. . 1 lines.
Don't llrllm Your Own Juilr-n.
A mini's mind is n court, and bis pas
sions nro, ull of thorn, tricky lawvorn.
In ordinary times you can not go into
any court and hear tbo statements of
tho counsel without fooling that thoro
is it groat doul of ingenuity exerted to
cover up some things, and unduly mag
nify other things, ho as to mako out tho
best possible case for tho sido whoso in
terest it is tbo doslro of tbo spooial
picadors to advance. But thoro Bits
that old stupid judgo stupid bocuuso
ho will bo jint and ho puts tho
lawyer right on this side, and puts tho
lawyer right on thut side, and holds
every thing to tho law and to tho faot
that bo may come at justlco at least In
theory. Now, ovory man has a judgo
within him his conscience, nnd thoro
uro many moil whoso consciences havo
been bribed; und when thoso bribed,
consciences nro presiding ovor tho court
which is constantly bold in tho boart,
they aro all tho whilo excusing them
selves for giving thoir udberonco to
things that urn wrong. Thoy nocd to
bo reminded that in every caso thoy
should look at every thing in tho light
of eternal Justice. N. Y. Ledger.
Hvmi u Toud Will Hit lluvk.
"I onco saw something whon a small
boy," said an old stager, "that I novor
board of since, thut was a toad attack u
snake lifter tho latter bud boon forced,
to lot go his hold. It was in u black
smith shop, built of logs, in Indiana
county. Tho blacksmith was working
ut his anvil when u squeaking sound was
heart at ono sido of tho shop, which at
tracted attention. Turning to look tho
blacksmith und tho narrator saw a large
toud drugging himself Into tho lncloaurc,
with u llftooii-incli garter snnku follow
ing. Tho snuko hnd tho bind leg of the
toad HwalloTVed, With a pair of hot
tongs tlio bluuksmitb caught tbo snako,
which released its bold us quickly as
possible. I ns toud of bopping away, nn
wus to bo expected, tho toud turned
itself around, aud leaping six lnoluui
high in tho uir, uumo down on tho bouy
of tbo snuko and bit it savagolr."
Pittsburgh Dispatch.