Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-12-22

the canal that leads from buOastls on Tue
Pelusiac branch of the Nile, to Olysma at
the head Of the Bay of Hieraopolis. For 1t
was her design, should Cesar prove stub
born, to fly with Antony and her treasure
down the Arabian Gulf, where Cesar had
no fleet, and seek some new home in India,
whittier her foes might not follow. But,
indeed, this plan came to nothing, for the
Arabs of Petra burnt the galleys, melted
thereto by a message sent by the Jews oil
Alexandria, who hated Cleopatra and were
hated Of her.
Now, when she had made an end OF tell
ing him, the Queen called on him TO drink
a cup with her to the success of this new
scheme, bidding him, as she did 80, steep
his wreath Of roses in the wine, and make
the draught more sweet. This, then, he
did, and it being done, she pledged him.
But when be was about to pledge ner
back, she caught his hand, crying
"Hold." whereat he paused, wondering
Now, among the servants Of Cleopatra
was one. Eudosius, the steward; and this
Eudosius, seeing that the fortunes OF Cleo
pasra we're at an end, had laid plan to
fly that very night to Cesar, as had done
many OF his betters, taking with him all
the treasures in the place that he could
steal. But this design being discovered TO
CLEOPATRA, she determined to be avenged
upon Eudosius.
'Eudosius," she cried for the man
stood near, "ccme hither, thou faithful
servant Seest thou this man, most noble
Antony; through all our troubles he
hath chung to us and been of comfort to
Us. Now, therefore, he shall be reward
ed according to his deserts and the measure
Of his faithfulness, and that from thine
own hand. Give him thy golden cup Of
wine, and let him drink a pledge to our
success: the cup shall be his guerdon."
And still wondering, Antony gave 1t to
the man, who, stricken in his guilty mind,
took it, and stood trembling. But he
drank not
Drink, thou slave, drinkw cried Cleo.
patra, half rising from heT seat and fash
Ing a fierce loOk on his white face. by
Ssrapi.l go surely as I yet shall sit IN the
Capitol az Rome, and thou dOst thus ttout
the Lord Autory, I'll have thee scourged
to the bones, and the red wine poured upon
thy open wounds 70 heal them. An! at
length though drinkestl Why, what Is
it, good Eudosius? art sick? Surely, then,
must this wine be as the water Of jealousy
Of those Jews, that hath power to STAY the
false and strengthen the honest only. Go,
some of you, search this mans room; me-
thinks he is a traitor"
Meanwhile the man stood, his hands to
his head. Presently he began to tremble,
and then fell, shrieking, to the ground.
Anon he was on his feet again, clutching
at his bosom, as though to tear out the
FIRE in his heart. He staggered, with hv-
id, twisted face and fOaming lips, to where
Cleopatra lay watching him with slow
and cruel smile.
"Ah, traitor thou hast it noww she
said. "Prithee, is death sweet?"
Thou wantonw yelled the dying man,
thou hast poisoned me- Thus mayst
thou also perishw and with one shrek he
flung himself upon her. She saw his pur-
pose, and swift snd supple as tiger sprsng
10 one side, so that ne did but grasp her
Royal cloak, tearing it from it's emerald
clasp. Down he fell upon the ground,
rolling over and over in the purple Chiffon
till presently he lay still and dead, his tor
mented face and frozen eyes peering ghsst-
ly from its folds.
"Abr7 said the Queen, with a hard
laugh. "the slave died wOndrOus hard, and
fain would have drawn me with him. See,
be hath borrowed my garment for pail.
Take him away and bury him in his Inv
cry"
"What means Cleopatra said Antony,
as the guards dragged the cOrp7e away
1.-THE man drank Of my cup. WHAT Is the
purpose Of this most sorry iest?"
at serves a double end, noble Antony
This very night would the man have lied to
Octavianus, bearing off our treasure with
him. Well, have lent him wings, for the
dead fy fast Also this Thou didst fear
that I should poison thee, my lord; nay, l
know it. See now, Antony, low easy were
it that I should slly thee if 1 had the will.
That wreath Of roses which thou didst steep
within the cup is dewed with deadly
bane. Had 1, then, a mind to make an
end of thee, had not stayed thy hand. o
Antony, henceforth trust me; sooner would
I slay myself than harm one hair of thy
beloved head. See, here come my messer-
gers. Speak, what did ye tnd?"
Royal Egypt, this we found. All
things in the chamber of EudOsius are
made ready for fight, and in his baggage is
much treasure"
"Thou hearest?" said she, smiling dark
ly. Think We, my loved servants all,
that Cleopatra is one with whom it is well
Ia plsv the traitor? Be warned by the
Romans fatew
Then q great silence Of fear fell upon the
COMPANY, and Antony sat also silent.