The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-10-13

dlCnOugn they were agreed that the prophecy was charming as far as il went, they began to feel slightly a. fraid of the prophecies, and were secretly relieved when Egisthus hap pened to come up shortly afterwards with an order to show her such places of interest as Argos boasted.
 But they were great authorities on all points of etiquette aud morality and they all remarked (when she had gone) that she displayed an unbecom- ing readiness in accepting the escort of courtier who had not been for mally introduced to her. "That may be the custom in Troy" they said, wagging their boards, "but if she means to behave like that here-well p
 And now the last gleam of the sum- set had faded and the stars struggled out in the pale green sky, whilst the chorus walked up and down to keep warm, for the evening was grow ing chilly.
 Suddenly a loud cry broke the silence-a scream of 8 strong man in mortal agony! It struck all of them that the voice was uncommonly like Agamemnon's, but none liked to say so, and they only observed with a forced composure that really the cats were becoming quite nuisance.
 The cry came again, louder this time, and more distinct; it seemed to come from the direction of the royal bathroom. "Hi, here, somebody help! They've turned on the hot water, and 1 can't turn it off again."
 After this there could be no possible doubt that there was something the matter far more serious than cats. Agamemnon, the king of men, was apparently in difficulties, and it was only too probable that this was Cly- temnestra's fell work.
 They all ran about and fell over one another in the general furry and con- fusion, and then as they recovered their presence of mind they began to consult upon the best course to pursue under the circumstances. Some were of opinion that it would not be 8 quite unpardonable breach of court etiquette if they were to rush into the bathroom and pull the royal sufferer out; others, more cautious, asked for precedents in case of such delicacy, and they almost quarreled, until the wisest of them all reminded his fel- lows that at all events it was too late to interfere then, as the monarch must certainly be hard boiled by that time relieved them from all respon- sibility in the happiest manner.
 At this point the queen appeared at the head of the marble steps, down which she glided cautiously and came towards them, evidently in a condition of suppressed excitement.
 "What a beautiful evening !" said the chorus in unison, for they considered it better taste not to appear to have noticed anything at all unusual.
 "Agamemnon is with his ancestors" she replied in fierce whisper; "I sewed up the sleeves of his bathing gown and I drugged his coffee, and then from afar l turned on the hot water. And he is boiled, and it serves him right, and Pm glad af it-so now But tell me, ye aged ones," she added with one of her quick transitions, ''have l done well?"
 Now the chorus was distinctly dis gusted at her want of tact and reserve and would have greatly preferred not to be admitted into the confidence of so purely domestic description, but they were not the men to finch from their duty.
 "In our opinion, O queen," they re- piled coldly, "the deed was nasty one and accomplished without suffi- cient consideration"
 "Ha !" she exclaimed angrily, "so ye would rate me like girl! Am not your sovereign mistressp Guard, seize these insolents."
 And the superannuated old sentinel left his box and tottered up to seize as many as he could lay hold of at once, telling the remainder to consider themselves under arrest, which they did directly.
 summon the pOpulace," Clytem- nestra next commanded, and the Ar gives left the fireworks obediently and before the steps.
 "Citizens Argives 1" she cried in a loud, clear voice, "I am sure you will all be very sorry and disappointed to hear that your beloved sovereign, SO lately restored to us'' (here she broke down with the naturalness ot a great our beloved sovereign is-by 8 most deplorable and un- lack of caution-"
 "Alivew interrupted a voice from behind the queen, and someone pushed aside the hangings before the door of the palace and began to descend the steps. It was Agamemnon himself.
 Clytemnestra shrieked as she turned and slowly confronted him in silence tor some moments; the situation was intensely dramatic, and the Argives, } simple and affectionate people, fully kh{o ovH ~-~o