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About The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918 | View Entire Issue (April 10, 1890)
If CLEOPATRA. Being an Account of the Fall and Venceance of Harmachis, the Royal Egyptian, A8 SET FORTH BY HIS OWN HAND. By H. Rider Haggard, Author of Klnn Solomon's Mln. v ,"She," Allan Quntnrrnatn," Etc., Etc., Etc. CHAPTER XXII. OT TUB FEAST OP CtXOl'ATIIA. OF TITr MEI.T- iu mis i-KARLj OF Till: SAYtNO OP It VII. NACHIS; AND Cl.fcOPATHA'S VOWS OF LOVE. N THE third night onco more wns tho feast prepared in tho hall of tho great house that had boon sctaatdo to tho uso mm: of Cleopatra, and on r this night its splendor was greater even than (conches) that were sot about tho tablo wore orn bossed with gold, and - - inosoot Ulcopatra and An SJVony woro of gold Bct with jewels. Tho dishes also wore ad of gold net with jewels, tho walls were hung with purple cloths sewn with gold, and on tho lloor wero strewn fresh roses anklo deep, covered with a net of gold, that as tho slaves trod them scut up taclr perfume. Onco again was I bid to stand with Chnrmion and Iras arrl TMprirn Unlitml lha imiiuli if t ?liiin t rn 7 0 8 tiB $jtmd, liko a slave, from time to time call out ,mu uuurs as uiey now. vnu tuero ueing no help, wild at heart I wont; but this I swore- it should bo for the last time, for I could not bear that shame. For though I would nt, yet bcliovo what Charmiou told ,e tnui iii-opatru was uuunt iu ueeuinu tho love of Antony yet could I no moro en dure this ignominy and torture. For from Cleopatra now I had no words save such words as a Queen speaks to her slave, and methinks it gave her dark heart pleasure to torment me. Thus it camo to jiass that I, tho Pharaoh, crowned of Khem, stood among eunuchs and waiting women behind tho couch of Egjpt's Queen whilo tho feast went merrily and tho wine-cup passed. And over Antony sat, ids eyes lixed upon tho faco of Cleopatra, who from tlina to timo let her deep glance lose itself m his, and then for u little whilo their talk died away. For ho told her tales of war and deeds that ho had dont ay, and love-jests such us are not mc 't for tho ears of women. Hut nt naught took sho offense, rather, falling Into his humor, would sho . cap his stories with others of a liner wit, but not less shameless. At length, tho rich meal being finished, Antony Kazed at tho splendor round him. "Tell me, then, most lovely Egypt!" ho said, "nro tho sands of Nile compact of gold, that thou canst, night by night, thus squan der tho ransom of a King upon a single feast? Whence comes this untold wealth!" I bethought me of the tomb of tho divliw , llenka-ra, whoso holy treasuro was thu wickedly wasted, nnd looked up, so that ; Cleopatra's oyes caught mine; but, reading ' my thoughts, sho frowned heavily. "Why, noble Antony," sho said, "surety It is naught 1 In Egypt wo havo our secrets, and know whence to conjure riches at our need. Bay, what is tho valuo of this golden service, and of tho meats and drinks tht.t havo been set boforo us!" "Maybe, a thousand scstertia " "Thou hast, understated it by half, noblo Antony 1 Hut, such as it is, I givo it thoo and thoso with theo as a freo token of my friendship. And moro will I show theo now. I, myself, will eat and drink ten thou sand sestertia at a dru. ght." "That can not be, fair Egypt I" Sho laughed, and bade a slave bring hor vinogar in a glass. When it was brought she set it beforo hor and laughed again, whilo Antony, rising from his couch, drew near and sat himself at her side, nnd all tho company leant forward to seo what sho would do. Aud this sho did : From Iter cars she took ono of thoso great pearls, which 4ast of all had been drawn from tho body of tho divine Pharaoh; and boforo auy could guess her purpose lo- it fall into tho vino gar. Then camo silence, tho sileuco of won dor, aud slowly tho peerless poarl melted in tho ncid. When it was molted sho took tho glass and shook it, then drank tho vinegar to tho last drop. "More vinegar, slave 1" sho cried, "ray meal is but half finished!" and sho drew .forth tho second pearl. "By Bacchus, no! thou shalt not!" cried Antony, snatching at hor hands; "I havo seen enough. " And at that moment, moved thoroto by I know not what, I called aloud: "Tho hour falls -the hour of the cominj of the eurse of Mcnka-ra!" An ashy whiteness grow upon Cleopatra's v face and furiously sho turned upou me, N while nil tho company gazed wondering, not knowing what tho words might mean. "Thou ill-omened slave!" sho cried. "fc5peak thus once moro and thou shalt bo scourged with rods! ay, scourged liko an evil-doer that 1 promise theo, Hurmachis!" "What moans tho knave of an astrol oger?" nsked Antony. "Spoak, sirrah I and make oloar thy meaning, for thoso who deal in curses must warrant their wares." "I am a sorvunt of tho Gods, noblo An tony. That wldch tho Gods put in ray miiid that must I say; nor can I read their mean lng," I answered humbly. "Oh ! oh I thou sorvost tho Gods, dost thou, , itliou manv-colored mystoryl" (This ho I said having roforenco to my splondid robes.) "Woll, I sorvo tho Goddesses, which is a softer cult. And there's this between us : that though what thoy put lu my mind 1 say, neither can I read thoir meaning," and ho glauced at Clooputra as ono who questions. "Lot tho knavo bo," sho said Impatlontly, "to- morrow we'll bo rid of him. Birrab, be Vzonol" I bowed and went; and, aa I wont, I heard Antony say: "Well, a knave ho may bo, for that till men are, but this for thy astrologer he hath a royal air and tho oyo of a king ay, and wit In it." Without tho door I paused, not knowing what to do, for I was bowildorcd with mis ery; and, as 1 stood, somo ono touched me on tho hand. I glanced up It was Char mlon, who, In the confusion of tho rising of tho guests, had slipped away and fol lowed mo. For in troublo, Charmlon was ever at my sldo. 'Follow mo," she whispered; "thou art In danger." I tvned and followed her. Why should Inotf "Whither go wol" I asked, at length. "To my chamber," she said. "Fear not, we ladles of Cleopatra's Gsurt have small good fame to lose. It any one by chanco should see us, they'll think that 'tis a love .tryst, and such are all the fashion." I followed andj. presently, skirting the crowd, we came, unseon, to a littlo sldo en trance that led to a stnir up which wo passed. Tho stair ended in a passsge; we turned down it till wo found a door on tho left hand. Silently Charmlon entered, and I followed her into a dark chamber. Ileitis In sho barred tho door, and, kindling tinde to a tlamc, lit a hanging lamp. As the light grew strong l gazed around. Tho chamix!" was not largo and had but one casement closely shuttcrod. For tho rest, it was sim ply furnished, having whito walls, somo chests for garments, an ancient chair, what I took to bo a tiring table, whereon wcr combs, perfumes and all tho frippery that pertains to woman, aud n whito bod with A broidered coverlid, over which was hung a gnat gauze "lie seated, Harmachis," sho said, point ing to tho chair. I took tho chair, and Chnrmion, throwing buck tho gnat gauzo, bat herself upon the bed before mc. "Knowest thou what I heard Cleopatra say as thou didst leavo tho banqueting hall I" she asked presently. "Nay, 1 know not." "Sho gazed afier theo, and, as wect over to her to do somo service, sho mur mured to herself: 'By Serapis, I will make an end I No longer will I wait; to-morrow ho shall bo strangled I'" "So1" lsaid; "it may bo; though, after all that has been, senrco can I behevo that sho will murder me." "Why canst thou not believe it, O thou most foolish of men 1 IVist forgot how nigh thou was to death there in tho Alabaster Hall I Who saved thee then from tho knives of tho eunuchs! Was It Cleopatra! Or was it I and Brennus! Stay, I will teli theo. Thou canst not yet beliovo It, because in thy folly thou dost no!, think it possible that tho woman who has but lately been ae n wife to theo can now in so short ti time doom theo to bo b; 'ic!y done to death Nuv. uiuwor not I kuov all; aud this 1 tell liter thnu hast not measured tho depth cf Cleopatra's portldy, nor canst thou dream tho blackness of her wicked heart. Sho had mirely slain theo in Alexandria had sho not icarod that thy slaughter, being noised abroad, might bring troublo to her. There fore has sho brought theo hero to kill thoo secretly. For what moro canst thou give her i sho has thy heart's love, nnd is wearied of thy strength and beauty. Sho 1ms robbed theo of thy Hoynl birthright and brought thee, a King, to stand amidst her waiting women behind her at her feasts; sho has won from theo tho groat secret of tho holy treasuro! " "Ah, thou know est that?" "Yea, I know nil ; and to-night thou secat how tho wealth stored against tho need of Khem is being squandered to llll up tho wanton luxury of Kheiu's Macedonian Queen 1 Thou scest how sho hath kept hor oath to wed theo honorably 1 Harmachis ntlength thine oyes aro open to tho truth I" "Ay, I seo too well; sho sworo sho loved me, nnd, fool that I was, I did believe hor I" "Sho sworo sho loved theo!" answered ChaKtnion. liftimr hor dark-oves: "now will i siiow tneo now sue coth lovo tnee. iviiow cst thou what was this house! It was a priest's college; and, us thou wottost, Har machis, priests havo their ways. Tills lit tlo chamber aforotimo was tho chamber of tho Head Priest, and tho chamber that is boyond and bolow was tho gathering room of tho other priests. All this tho old slavo who keops tho placo told mo, nnd also sho revealed what I shall show thee. Now. Harmachis, be silent as tho dead and fol low mo!" Sho blow out tho lamp, and by tho littlo light that crept through tho shattered ease ment led mo by tho hand to tho far cornor of tho room. Hero sho pressed upon tho wall, nnd a door opened in its thickness. Wo entered, und sho closed tho spring. Now wo woro in a littlo chamber, somo five cubits in longth by four in breadth; for n faint light struggled into tho closet, and also tho sound of voices, whence 1 knew not. Loosing my hand, sho crept to tho end of tho place, and lookod steadfastly at tho wall; tnen crept back, and, whispering "silence" led mo forward with hor. Then 1 saw that thero woro eyeholes in tho wall, which pierced it, and woro hidden on tho farther sido by carved work in stono. I looked through tho holo that was in front of mo, nnd this I saw. Six cubits below was tho lovel of tho lloor of another chamber, lit with fragrant loffips, and most richly furnished. It was tho sleeping placo of Cleopatra, and there, within ton cubits of whero wo stood, sat Cleopatra on a gilded couch, nnd by hor sido sat Antony. "Tell mo," Cleopatra murmured for so was this placo built that every word spokou in tho room below came to tho cars of tho listener abovo "tell mo, noblo Antony, wast pleased with my poor festival!" "Ay," ho answered in his deep soldier's voico; "ay, Egypt, I havo mado feasts, and been bidden to feasts, but never saw I aught liko thino; and this I tell thoo, though I am rough of tonguo and unskilled in pret ty sayliiL's such as women lovo, thou wast tho richest sight of all that splendid board. Tho red wine was not so red as thy beau teous cheek, tho roses smelt not so sweotns tho odor of thy hair, aud no sapphire thero with its changing light was so lovely as thy eyes of ocoau bluo." "Whatl praiso from Antony? Sweot words from tho lips of him whoso writings aro so harsh! Why, 'tis praiso, indeed !" "Ay," ho wont on, " 'twas a royal feast, though I grieved that thou didst wasto that groat poarl; and what meant that hour calling astrologer of thino. witli his Ill omened talk of tho curso of Menka-ra!" A shadow lied ncross her glowing faco. "I know not; ho was lately wounded in a brawl and mothlnks tho blow has crazed him." "Ho seemed not crazed, and thoro was that about his volco which doth ring in my ears liko somo oraclo of fato. So wildly, too, ho looked upon tneo, Egypt, with those plorclng oyes of his, liko ono who loved nnd yet hated through tho lovo." " 'Tis a strange mail, I tell thee, noblo Antony, and a learned. Myself, at times, I almost fear him, for deeply is lo versed in tho ancient arts of Egypt. Knowest thou that tho man is of royal blood, and onco ho plotted to slay mo! But I won him over, and slow him not, for ho had tho key to se crets that I fain would learn; nnd, Indeed, I lovo his wisdom, and to listen to his deep talk of all hidden things." "By Bacchus, but I grow jealous of tho knavo! And now, Egypt!" "And now I have suefced his knowlcdgo dry und havo no moro cause to fear him. Didst thou not seo that those three nights I havo mado hlra stuud a slavo amid my slaves, and call aloud tho hours as thoy lied In festival! No captivo king marching in thy Itoman triumphs can havo suffered keener pangs than that proud Egyptian Princo as he stood and shamed boblnd my couch." Hero Charmlon laid her hand on mlno and pressed it, as though in tenderness. "Well, ho shall trouble us no moro with his words of evil omen," Cleopatra went on lowlv: "to-morrow morn he dies dies swiftly and In secret, leaving no trace of what his fate hath been. On this is my mind llxed J of a truth, noblo Antony, it Is llxed. Even as I speak the fear of this man grows and gathors In my breast. Half am I minded to givo tho word even now, for till he be dead I breathe not freely," and she made as though to rise. "Let it be till morning," he said, catcblnir her by the hand; "the soldiers drink, and the deed will bo. llUonfi. 'Tis Elt&.tootI lovo not to think of men slaughtered in their sleep." "In tho morning, perchance, may the hawk have flown," sho answered, ponder ing. "Ho hath keen ears, this Harmacnis, and can summon things that nro not of the earth to aid him. Perchance even now ho hears me in tho spirit; for, of a truth, 1 seem to feel his presence breathing round me. I could tell thee but no, lot him bo I Noblo Antony, bo my tiring woman nhd looso mo this crown of gold ; it chafes my i brow. Bo gentle, hurt mo not so." Ho lifted tho urrcus crown from hor brows, and sho shook looso hor heavy ' weight of hair that fell about her liko u ' garment. "Tako thf crown, Uoyal Egypt," ho said, speaking low, "tako It from my hand; 1 uiil n j; tob thee of it, but rather sot it more lirmiy on that uenuteous brow." "What means my Lord!" sho nsked, smiling and looking into his eyes. "Winn mean 11 Why. then, this; hither thou earnest at my bidding, to mnko i.n- , iwer to tho charges laid against theo as to mutters politic. And knowest thou, Hgypt, i that hmlst thou been other than thou art thou ha.lst not gono back to Queen it on tho Nile; for of tins I inn sure, tho charges against theo nre true, In fact. But being , what thou art and look, thou! never did Nature servo n woman hotter! I forgive , theo nil. E on for tho sake of thy grace i and beauty 1 forgive thoo that which hath i , not boon forgiven to virtue, or to patriot ism, or to ttio dignity of age I See, now, how good a thing is woman's wit and loveliness, j that can make Kings forget their duty and ' cozen e'en blindfolded Justice to peep oro she lifts her swoi d 1 Tnko back thy crown, ! O I!.:ypi ! my cure now it is that, though ft , ' bo heavy, it shiil not chafe thee." "Itoyul words uro those, most noble , Autony,'" slio nind'J answer; "gracious nnd generous ;va, ouch aa bct tho Con , i j I qurrsrof tho world. Art.; toucnlug rn.vmls I deeds in tho past if misdeeds there have I been this I say, and this alone, then 1 know not Antony. Fcr, knowing Antony, who could sin against hiui! What woman 1 could lift a sword against ono who must be to all women as a God ono who, seen and 1 known, draws after him tho wholo ul- legianco of tho heart, as tho sun draws .'lowers I And what moro can I say and not oros tho bounds of woman's modesty! Why, only this -sot that crown upon my ' brow, great Antony, nnd I will tako it us a ! gift from thee, by tho giving mado doubly dear, and to thy uses will I guard it Thero 1 now am I thy vassal Queen, nnd through 1 mo all old Egypt that I rulo doth homage 1 unto Antony tho Triumvir, who shall be Antonv tho Emperor and Khom's Imperial I Lord." rtiut ne, navinis set mo crown upon un locks, stood gazing on her, grown passion ate in tho warm breath of nor living beauty, till at length ho caught hor by both hands, aud, drawing hor to him, kissed hor thrico, saying: 'Cleopatra, I lovo theo, Sweet! I lovo theo us ne'er 1 loved boloro!" Sho drew back from his embrace, smiling eoflly; and as sho did so tho golden cirt'lut of tho sacred snakes fell, being but loosely set upon her brow, aud rolled away into tho darkness beyond tho ring of light. Even in tho bitter anguish of my heart I saw tho omen and knew its ovil Import. But theso twain took no note. "Thou lovest rao!" she said most sweotly; "how know I that thou lovest mo? Per chanco 'tis Fulvia whom thou lovest Ful vla, thy wedded wife!" "Nay, 'tis not Fulvia; 'tis thee, Cleopatra, and theo alono. Many womon havo looked favorably upon mo from my boyhood up, but to never a ono havo I known such do t'ro U3 to theo, O thou Wrondor of ttio World, liko unto whom no woman over was! Canst thou lovo mo, Cleopatra, und to mo bo truo not for my placo and power, not for that which I can givo or can with hold, not for ttio stern musioof my logions' tramp, or for tho light tnat Hows from my bright star of fortune; but for mysolf, for tho sako of Antony, thn rough captain, grown old in camps? Ay, for tho sake of Antony tho rovelor, tho frail, tho untlxed of purpose, but who novor yet did desort n friend, or rob a poor man, or tako an cnomy unawares ? Say, canst thou lovo me, Egypt? for if thou canst, why, I tun moro happy than though to-night I sat crowned in tho Capitol lit Homo ubsoluto Monarch of tho World!" And ovor ns ho spoko sho gazed on him with wonderful cyos, und In them shono a light of truth aud honesty such as was slrango to me. "Thou speakest plainly," sho said, "and sweet aro thy words unto mino ears sweet would thoy bo oven woro things otherwiso than thoy aro, for what woman would not lovo to seo tho world's master at her feet! But tilings being as thoy aro, why, Antony, what can bo so swoot as thy sweot words! Tho smooth harbor of his rest to tho storm-tossed marlnor surely that is sweet ! Tho dream of hoavon's bliss that cheers tho poor ascotlo priost on his path of sacrifice surely that is sweot I 'I ho sight of Dawn, tho rosy-flngored, coming in his proiniso to glad tho watching Eurtli surely that Is sweet! But, all I not ono of these, nor nil dear, delightful things that aro, can match tho hot.ey-swoottics9 of thy words to me, O Antony I For thou knowest not nevor canst thou know how dreur hath been my life and omoty, blnco thus it is ordained that in lovo only can womau lose hor solitude! und 1 havo never loved never might I lovo till this happy night I Ay, tako mo in thy arms, and lot us swear a great oath of lovo an oath thai, may not bo broken whilo life is in us! Behold! Antony! now und for ovor do I vow most strict fidelity utUothcoI Now and forover Bin I thine, and thino ulono I" Then Charmlon took mo by tho hand and drew mothenco. "Hast soon enough?" she asked, when onco moro wo woro within tho cbatnbor aud tho lamp was lit. "Yea," I unswered; "my eyes ure opened." CHAPTER XXIII. THK PLAN OF CIIA1UIIO.VJ CONFES3ION OI CIIAIIMIOS, ANIl ANSWEIl OF 11 AIISI ACIIIS. JR somo whilo I sat with bowed head, and the last bitterness of shamo sank Into my soul. This, then, was tho end! For this I had betrayed myoaths; for this I hud told tho secret of tho Pyramid , for this I had lost my Crown, my honor, and, porchance, my hope of Heaven I Could thorc bo unother man in the wldo world so stoeped In sorrow as I was that nlghtl Surely not ono I Whore should I turn I What could I do? And even through tho tempest of my torn heart tho bitter volco of Joalousy called aloud. Fori loved this woman, to whom I had given all; and she at this moment sho was Ah! I could not bear to think of it; and in my uttor agony my heart bunt forth in a river of tears such as are terrible to weep I Then Charmlon drew near to mo, and I aw that she, too, was weeping. "Weep not, Harmachis I" sho sobbed, kneeling at my side. "I oan not endure to see tho e weep. Oh I why wouldstthou not be ivanicdl Then hast thjvj. boen, creal ftpd happy, nnd not so now. Listen, Harmachis I Thou didst hear what that f also and tigerish woman said -to-morrow she hands theo over to tho murderers!" "It is well," 1 gasped. "Nay, It Is not well. Harmachis, give her not this last triumph over theo. Thou hast lost nil nave life; but whilo lifo romains hope remains also, and with hopo tho chance of vengeance I" "Ahl"I said, starting from my seat, "I had not thougnt of that. Ay, the chauco of vengeance! It would bo sweet to be avenged!" "It would bo sweot, Harmachis, nnd yet this Vengeanco is an arrow that i.i falling oft pierces him who shot it. Myself-1 know it." and sho sighed. "But n trueo to talk nnd grief. Titno will thero bo for us twain to grieve, if not to talk, in all the heavy coming years. Thou must tly bo foro tho dawning of tho light must thou lly. Hero is a plan. To-morrow, cro the dawn, a galley that but yesterday camo from Alexandria bearing fruit and" stores sails thither once again, whereof the Captain is known to mo, but to theo he is not known. Now, I will llnd theo tho garb of a Syrian merchant, and cloak theo as I know how, and furnish tneo with u letter to the Cap tain of the galley. Ho shall givo theo pass ngo to Alexandria, for to him thou wilt seem but as a merchant going on tho busi ness of thy trade. 'Tis Brcuiius wlio is Cnptniu of tlio Guard to-night, nnd Brennus is n friend to mo and thee. Perchance ho will guess somewhat; or, perchance, ho wi'l not guess; nt tho least, tho Syrian merchant shall safely pass tho Hues. What sayest , thou!" "It is woll," I answered wearily; "littlo do I reck tho Issue." "Host thou then here, Harmachis, whilo 1 make theso matters ready; and, Harma chis, grlovo uot overmuch; there uro others tvho should gri'svo more heavily than thou." And sho went, leaving mo aloue with mino ngony that ront mo liko n tort-uro-bed. Methinks, had It not been for thatliercodeslioof vongcatico which from timo to timo Hashed across my tormented mind ns tho quick lightning o'er a midnight sea, my reason had left 1110 In that dark hour. At length I heard her footstep nt tho door, nnd sho entered, breathing henv lly, for in hor nrms sho boro a suck of cloth- . Inu. i "All Is woll," sho said; "hero Is tho garb with spare linen, und writing tablets, and i all things needful. 1 havo seen Brennus also, and told hlra that a Syrian merchant would uass tho cuard an bvir .before tha dawn. Anil, though no mitavproton&u oi sloop, mothlnks lie understood, for ho an swered, yawning, that If they but had tho pass word, 'Antony,' fifty Syrian merchants might ro through about their lawful busi ness. And hero is tho letter to tho Cap tain thou canst not mistake tho galley, for stic is moored along tho right a small galley, painted black, us thou dost enter on tho great quay, und, moreover, tho sailors make ready for sailing. Now will 1 wait horo without whilo thou dost put off tho livery of thy service aud array thyself." When sho was gone I tore off my gor geous garments and spatupon them and trod them on tho ground. Then I put on tho modest roboof a merchant, and bound round mo tho tablots, on my feet tho sandals of uutanued hide, and at my waist tliokiilfo. When it was done, Charmiou entered once nguin nnd looked on mo. "Too much art thou still tho Uoyal Har machis," sho said. "See, It must bo chauged." Then sho look scissors from hor tiring table, and bidding mo to bo seated, sho cut off my locks, clipping ttio hair close to tho head. Next sho found stains of such sort as women use to make dark tho oyes and mixed them cunningly, rubbing tho stuff on my face und hands and on the whito mark in my hair whore tho sword of Brennus had bitten to tho bono. "Now nrt thou changed somewhat for tho worse, Harmachis," sho sajd, with u dreary laugh; "scarco mysolf should I know thoo. Stay, thero Is ono moro tiling,'' and golug to a ohost of garmonts, sho drew thotico a heavy bag of gold. "Tako thou this," she said; "thou wilt havo need of money." "I can not tako thy gold, Charmlon." "Yea, tako It. It was Sopu who gavo It to mo for ttio furtherance of our cause, aud therefore 'tis lit ting that thou shouldst spend It. Moreovor, if I want it, doubtless Antony, who is honcoforth my master, will givo mu mora; ho is much bcholdon to me, and this woll ho knows. Thorc, wasto not tho precious time In haggling o'or tho pelf not yet art thou ull a morchant, Har machis;" and, without moro words, bIio thrust the pieces Into the leather bug that hung across my shoulders. Then she mado fast the sack containing tho spare gar ments, nnd bo womunly thoughtful was sho, hid therein an uiubustor jar of pigment, whorewith I mrht stain my countenance afresh, nnd, taking tho broidorcd robes of mine office that I had cast off, hid them in tho secret pnssugo. And so ut last ull was mado ready. "Is It timo that 1 should go!" I asked. "Xot yet awhllo. Bo patient, Hurmachis; for but one littlo hour moro must thou en duro my presence, und then, pcichanco, furowell forever." I mado a gesturo signifying thnt this was no hour for shurp words. "Forgive mo my quick tonguo," sho sold; "but from a Bait spring do blttor waters well. Be seated, Harmachis ; I have heavier words to spoak to thoo beforo thou goest." "Say on," I answered; "words, howovor heavy, can move mo no moro." Sho stood boforo mo with folded bands, and tho lump light shono upon hor beaute ous faco. Idly I noticed how great was Its pallor and how wido und dark wero the rings about tho deep black oyos. Twice she lifted her whito faco and strovo to spoak, twice hor voice failed her; and when at lust it camo 'twas in a hoarso whisper. "I can not lot theo go," sho said "I can not lot thee go unwiCling of tho truth. Ilarmachlt, 'twat J who did betray tluxl" I sprang to my foot, an oath upon my lips; but sho caught mu by tho hand. "Ob, bo seated," sho said "bo seated and hear mo; then, when thou hast hoard, do unto mo us thou wilt. Listen I from that evil moment when, lu tho prononco of thy uncle Sepa, for tho second time I But eyes upon thy faco, I loved thoo how much, littlo canst thou guess) Think upon thine own lovo for Cleopatra, und double It, and doublo it ngaln, and, perchance, thou mayst coino near to my love's mighty sum. I loved thwe, day by day I loved theo more, till in theo and for theo ailono I scorned to , llvo. But thou wust cold thou wast worso than cold; thou dldsVdeal with mo not us a i breathing woman, but rather as tha Instru- 1 nent to mi end as a tool wherewith to grave thy fortunes. And thon I suw yea, long boforo thyself thou knowest It thy hoart's tide was sotting strong towards that ruinous shore whore on to-day thy lifo is broken. And at last camo that night, that dreadful night, when, hid within tho cham ber, I saw theo cast my kerchief to the winds, and with sweot words cherish my Uoyal rival's gift. Thon oh I thou knowest la my pain I betrayed the secret that thou wouldst not see and thou dldtt mako a mock of mo, Harmachis I Ob the shame of it! thou, in thy foolisbneii, didst make ujraock of met 1 went thence, ad. wlthlnnij were rising pJl the torniinU which can tear a woman's heart, for now 1 was sure thnt thou didst lovo Cleopatra! Ay, nnd so mad was 1, oven that night was I minded to betray theo; but I thought not yet; not yet; to-morrow homnysoften Thon camo tho morrow, nnd nil wns ready for tho bursting of tho great plot that should mako theo Pharaoh. And I, too, came thou dost remember and again thou. didst put mo away when I spako to theo In para bles, as something of littlo worth, as a thing too small to clahn n moment's weighty thought. And, knowing that this was bo cause though knowest it not thou didst love Cleopatra, whom now thou must straightway slay, I grow mad, nnd a wicked spirit entered into mc, possessing mo MU terly, so that no longer was I myAclf. And becauso thou hudst scorned me, this, to my everlasting shamo nnd sorrow 1 did! I passed into Cleopatra's presenco nnd be trayed thee anil thoso with thee, and all our holy cause, saying thnt I had found a writ ing which thou hadst lot fall aud read all this therein " I gasped nnd sat silent; and gazing sadly at mo sho wont on : "When sho understood how great was tho plot, and how deep its roots, Cleo patra was much troubled; and, nt lirst, she would have lied to Sais or taken ship and run for Cyprus, but 1 showed her thnt tho ways wero barred. Then sho said that sho would cause theo to bo slain, thero. In tho chamber, ;!ml I left hor so believing; for, at that hour, rain was I that thou shouldst bo slain ay, even if I wept out my heart upon thy grive. But what said I ntioni ven geance is an arrow that oft falls on htm wholooser.it! So was it with mo; for bo tvtcon my going und thy coming sho hatched a deeper plan. Sho feared that to slay then would but bo io light a Hewer tiro of revolt; but sho saw that to blud theo to hor, and hsving loft men nwhlle la doubt, to show theo faithless would strike the imminent J anger nt its roots and wither it. This plot onco formed, being great, sho dared its doubtful issue, and -need 1 go on! Thou knowest, Harniacliis, how sho won; and thus did tho shaft of vengeanco that 1 loosed fall upon my own head. For on tho morrow I know that I had sinned for naught, that on the wretched Paulus had been lnid tho burden of my betrayal, and that Iliad but ruined tho cause whereto I was sworn und given tho man I loved to tho urins of wanton Ecn-t." (TO UK CONTINL'KI). PRETTY GINGHAM GOWNS. Colors unit M) lt4 That I'romUo to lie Wry 'opular. Scotch ginghams for inldsiiuimor drosses nro brought out at this early season to be mado up during tho mod isto's dull season. Tho colors fashion able for cashmeres nro repeated In theso siniplo cotton fabrics, and a touch of blade In stripes or bars is added to many of tho newest patterns. Tho black stripes aro of sateen, and look liko linos of genuino satin most oirectlvoly ar ranged ut intervals on an old-row ging ham that Is strewn with darker chine (lowers, or on sago greon or palo bluo of tho samo design; or thero aro irrogtilar linos of black marking gray-bluo, pink, or stoni greon stripes, or stripes that al tomato with whito stripes; thoro aro aluoplaidsof Sucdo anil whito with black and roso saloon liars, or pink and gray with blade, groon and gray with black, and yellow with black and white cross bars. Bordered ginghams aro so wido that the width servos for tho length of tho skirt, tho border trimming tho foot; those havo a plain ground, with wido Scotch plaid border, or olso graduated stripes of tho now chino designs in vines. Many light-colored ginghams havo dilno llowors of a darker shade, aniltl narrow saloon stripes, while other now ginghams havo broad, elilne-Hgiired stripes alternating" with whito or light plain stripes. Itourotto stripes with laco llko tli in stripes uro pretty, and tho rough bourotto threads, sometimes in black or In white1, aro strewn about at intervals on otherwise plain ginghams. Genuine tartan colors aro soon in tho nowest Scotch plaids in tho dark blpo and greon tartans so much worn in wool en goods, and tho gay Stuart plaids of red, greon anil white. Fancy plaids coino in charming soft colors of liiuuvo with yellowish brown, of rose pink with whito nnd greon; of gray-bluo or porco lain or navy bluo with ivory whito. Heliotrope, mauve, lavondor, yellow and greon ginghams will bo as much worn as they woro last yoar, and thero aro many of tho pretty half inch stripes of tlireo colors together, as green, cream and old-rose, or gray, brown and green, or lavondor, vlolot nnd browji, or palo blue, dark gray and clear white. For children aro tho Scotch plaids and the smaller crossbars and lino stripes of a color on whito. For trimming these ginghams nro tho white oinbroldurod muslins, used as yokes, Spanish jackets, collars, cutts, and as Insertions in tho skirt of very simply made gowns, with full waist, slightly pointed in front, either straight or pointed In tho back, and with straight skirts. The largo sleeves will bo worn by many, mado precisely as thoy woro last summer, but thu modistes advise moderately largo coat sloovos, or olso the mutton-log sleoves, mado without too much fullness nt tho top. Ores grain ribbon of the most promlnont color in tho gingham will bo set diagonally on tho front of tho bodico, and handed on its pointed edge. Wido Vandykes of white embroidery will bo inserted straight across tho front of pointed bodices of solid-colored ginghams, Homo what in yoke fashion, or two narrower rows of upturned points will be usod, the lower row passing just under tho nrinholes, and that abovo from sleeve to sleovo. The fashion of fastening the front of tho bodico out of sight will bu continued in theso cotton dresses, the small buttons ami loujis being hidden under embroidery down thu middle ol the front, or tinder epaulettes or a Span ish jacket on tho left side. The plaid ginghams will bo cut bias throughout, and mado with round bolted waist very slightly full ut tho belt, and quite plain on the shoulders. High standing collars of embroidery, and also turned down collars, with culls to mutch on full sleeves, will bo worn with these waists. Hurpor'n Bazar, It's about un oven tiling, wo aro told, between man and tho orange pool. Sometimes tho man thrown tho orange peel Into tho gutter, and sometimes tho ornnVo peul throws tho man Into the gutter. A FRIENDS WEDDING. Tlio ICnllro Orrinony Took I.rn Than Ilntf mi llniir'ftTlino. A short time since I had the pleasure of witnessing a Friends wedding in tho old meeting houso at the corner of Fif teenth and 1'ace streets, Philadelphia. To ono from New Kiigland, where such alfairs are not common, it wns indeed a novelty. I'jkiii entering the meeting house the extreme plainness and sim plicity of the surroundings attract tho eye of the stranger. Diroctly in front, and facing the entrance, are three rows of iinupholstorod benches. There is a mil lory extending around three sides of the building and containing several rows of benches, ench one being much higher than the preceding one. The massive pulpit, the customary church organ, tho handsome windows of cathedral glass, all these nre absent, and their absence tends to give the place a tone foreign to that of the majority of religions edlllces of to-day. After taking our sents, and before the wedding party arrive, wo have an opportunity to observe our sur roundings and the guests who have as sembled to witness the ceremony. It is eideiit that the female portion of n Friends congregation do not coino to gether to exhibit any new style of head gear, as their sisters in other denomina tions nre often charged with doing. Suddenly the low murmur of voices ceases, and without any pomp, or being heralded by the swelling sound of some famous wedding march, the bride and jrootu. preceded by the ushers and fol lowed by the bride-maids and their es corts, come slowly up the aisle, and tako their places In the center of tho front row of seats, facing the Friends who have come to witness tho ceremony. In tho second row of seats, and directly behind the bride and groom, are seated the nearest relatives of tho contracting parties. All Is profound si lence for a short time, then the brido and groom rise simultaneously and elasp their right hands, and the groom says: "In the presence of the Lord and theso our friends, I tako thee, , to be my wife, promising, with dlvino as sistance, to be unto theo a faithful and loving husband until death shall separ ate us." As soon as he has llnished, tho bride says, in substance, the same thing, after which they resume their seats. A table Is then brought in and placed bo foro them by the ushers, on which tho marriage certillcate is signed. The cor tillcate is then handed back to tho near est relative of tho brido and tho tablo removed. It is necessary that the cer tillcate be signed .by the bride-niaids and groomsmen also. After a short pe riod of silence tho person holding tho document arises and reads It aloud. After this reading, It is often customary to havo a sermon preached by somo prominent person. Another period of silence then follows, and Is closed by one of the relatives rising and asking that the guests remain seated until tho bridal party have passed out, which is a signal for them to do so. The entire ceremony takes less than half an hour, and the strange solemnity of it all, together with the absence of a clergyman, gives It a rather strange ap pearance. Cor. Boston Transcript. PARIS PAWN SHOPS. The IiiiuieiiHo Amount of IIiihIiichs llonolly TIii'ho Institution. Some statistics of the amount of busi ness done by tho pawn shops of Paris and some account of their working aro included In the last published "Annu al ro Stiitistiqiio do la Villo do Paris." Tho tnont-de-plote, says the olllclal re port, derives no profit from its opera tions, and its action Is chiiritable, inas much as it shelters borrowers from tho rapacity of, usurers, but it must not bo thought that those who have recottrso to It are receiving public aid or that tho mont-de-pleto is a purely oharitablo in stitution. What the mont-do-ploto does is to lend money on personal property nt seven percent. Interest. This high rate of interest is necessary in order to do fray tho expenses of tho management, the storage of goods, etc. On articles of jewelry, plate and things that will not deteriorate, four-llfths of the valuo is given. If at the end of the year the liiont-de-plote has a surplus the rate of Interest is reduced. If it should run short of capital, it receives donations from tho Department of Public Aid. In some cities in France including Mont poller, Toulouse and Orenoblo the working expenses are defrayed entirely by charity and no interest is charged on loans. During tho last year for which llguros are given 1,1 l(),ti:i(l articles were pledged in Paris, representing a sum of :!5,K40, 150 francs; 750,(171 articles, worth 18,001, 140 francs, were renewed; a total value of nearly SI 1,000,000. Tho nverage amount of the loan was ST. There were U,0I0,0J7 articles withdrawn, nnd 207,(117 articles upon which payments had lapsed were sold, and brought 4,0tiS,840 francs. A largo part of the patronage of tho mont-de-pleto comes from porsons in n small way of business, and many of the articles pledged aro now goods. Manu facturers and merchants deposited 1118, KO articles, for which thoy received 8'..', 000, 000. This phase of tho rolo played by the inont-do-ploto is ox plained in a work published some timo ago by an ex-dlreutor of the institution, lie says: "It is nn orror to suppose that tho operations of tho mont-de-pleto aro in u ratio with poverty and misery. The opposite is the case. When business is brisk small merchants and manufactur ers seek from tho mont-do-ploto the capital thoy aro in need of, and which they can not llnd elsewhere on so good terms. If there is a lull in trade tho business of the niont-de-ploto dimin ishes." Tho largor number of thoso who Book relief In times of need in tho pawnshop belong, In Paris, as olsowhero, to tho working classos. In tho case of strikes, or during a prolonged crisis, tho capital of tho inont-do-ploto is swallowed up. During tho slego of 1'arln It was com pletely cleaned out At tho end of July, 1S70, It had a rosorvo of 8,000,000 fraaoa, but by February, 1871, this had Bunlcto O'J.OOO francs, and It would havo aol lapsed but for a loan of 8,000,000 fraaos from tho post-ofllco savings banks. Nk V, Sun.
