Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-09

was bid to stand with CharmlOn and Ir0S and Merira behind the couch of Cleopatra, and, like slave, from time to time call out the hours as they flew. And there being no help, wild at heart went; but this I swore- it should be for the last time, for I could not bear that shame. For though I would not yet believe what Charmion told me-that Cleopatra was about to become the love of Antony-yet could no more en- dure this igrominy and torture. For from Cleopatra now 1 had no words save such words as Queen speaks to her slave, and methinks it gave her dark heart pleasure to torment me.
 Pharaoh, crowned of Khem, stood among eunuchs and waiting women behind the couch of Egypt's Queen while the feast went merrily and tho wine.cup passed And ever Antony sat, his eyes fixed upon the face of Cleopatra, who from time to tune let her deep glance lose itself In his, and then for little while their talk died away. For he told her tales of war and deeds that he had done-ay, and love- tests such as are not meet for the ears of women. But at naught took she offense; rather, falling into his humor, would she cap his stories with others of finer wit, but not less shameless.
 At length, the rich meal being finished, Antony gazed at the splendor round him. "Tell me, then, most lovely Egyptr' he said. ''are the sands of Nile compact of gold, that thou canst, night by night, thus squan- der the ransom of @ King upon a single feasts Whence comes this untold wealth?" IbethouRht me of the tomb of the divine Menka-ra, whose holy treasure was thus wickedly wasted, and looked up, so that Cleopatra's eyes caught mine; but, reading my thoughts, she frowned heavily. Why, noble Antony" she said, "surely l 1t is naughtl In Egypt we have our secrets, and know whence to conjure riches at our need. Say, what Is the value of this golden l service, and of the meats and drinks that have been set before usp'
 "Maybe, 8 thousand sestertia" 'Thou hast understated it by half, noble Antonyl But, such as it is, I give it thee | and those with thee as a free token of my friendship. And more will I show thee l now. l, myself, will eat and drink ten thou l sand sestertia at a draught." "That can not be, fair Egyptp' She laughed, and bade slave bring her vinegar in glass. When it was brought l she set it before her and laughed agaln, | while Antony, rising from his couch, drew l near and sat himself at her side, and all the company leant forward to see what she | would do. And this she did: From her ears | she took one of those great pearls, which l last of all had been drawn from the body of | the divine Pharaoh; and before any could 1 guess her purpose let 1t fall into the vine-
 gar Then came silence, the silence of won- l der, and slowly the peerless pearl melted in
 the acid. When it was melted she took the glass and shook 1t, then drank the vinegar | to the last drop.
 "More vinegar, alavep' she cried, "my l meal is but half hnishedl" and she drew
 forth the second pearl.
 By Bacchus, moi thou shalt not r' cried Antony, snatching at her hands; "I have
 seen enough" And at that moment, moved
 thereto by know not what called aloud: | "The hour falls-the hour of the conain0 or
 thc curse ot Menha-.a!''
 l An ashy whiteness grew upon Cleopatra's
 face and furiously she turned upon me,
 while all the company gazed wondering not
 knowing what the words might mean
 "Thou ill-omened slavep' she cried. l "Speak thus once more and thou shalt be
 scourged with rods!-ay, scourged like an
 evil-doer-that promise thee, Harmaohis p l "What means the knave of an astrol-
 oger?" asked Antony. "Speak, sirrah!
 and make clear thy meaning, for those who
 deal in curses must warrant their wares" 1 II am servant of the Gods, noble An
 tony. That which the Gods put in my mind
 that must say; nor can read their mean ing," answered humbly.
 l "Oh! oh! thou servest the Gods, dost thou,
 thou manyecelered mystery2" (This he
 said having reference to my splendid
 robes.l "Well, I serve the Bookcases,
 which is softer cult And there's this
 between us: that though what they put in my mind I say, neither can read their
 meaning" and he glanced at Cleopatra as
 one who questions.
 'Let the knave be-" she said impatiently,
 .'to morrow we'll be rid of him. Sirrah, be- soner'
 | bowed and went; and, as I went, heard
 Antony say: "Well, a knave he may be, for
 that all men are, but this for thy astrologer-
 he hath royal air and the eye of king-ay,
 and wit in it."
 l Without the door paused, not knowing
 what to do, for was bewilde1ed with mis-
 cry; and, as stood, some one touched me
 on the hand. l glanced up-it was Char
 mion, who, tn the confusion of the rising
 of the guests, had slipped away and fol lowed me.
 For in trouble, Charmion was ever at nv side.
 Follow me, :" she whispered; "thou art in
 danger"
 l Isurned and followed her. Why should
 not,
 "Whither go wet" asked, at length.
 "To my chamber" she said. ''Fear not,
 we ladies of Cleopatra's Court have small good fame to lose. If any one by chance
 should see us, they'll think that 'tis a love-
 tryst, and such are all the fashion" | followed, and, presently, skirting the
 crowd, we came, unseen, to little side en-
 trance that led to 8 stair up which we
 passed. The stair ended in @ passage; we
 turned down 1t till we found @ door on the
 left hand. Silently Charmion entered, and
 followed her into dark chamber. Being
 in she barred the door, and, kindling finder
 to a flame, lit . hanging lamp. As the light
 grew strong gazed around. The chamber
 was not large nnd had but one easement
 closely shuttered For the rest, it was sim ply furnished, having white walls, some
 chests for garments, an anclent chair, what
 took to be tiring table, whereon were
 combs. perfumes and all the frippery that
 pertains to woman, and a white bed with 0