Telegram-herald., 1889-09-17

'twere Paulus, be knew but little OF those
who conspired with me. But IN my robe
had been the secret lists. Amen they
were gonel and the fate Of Paulus would
be the fate OF all the patriots OF Egypt. And
al this thought my mind gave way. sank
and swooned even where l stood.
My sense came back 10 me and lengthen-
ing shadows told me that II was afternoon.
l staggered to nay feet; there stin was the
corpse OF Paulus, keeping its awful watch
above me. Desperately ran 10 the door
Twas barred, and without heard the tramp
ofsentinels. IS stood, they challenged and
grounded their spears. Then the bolts shot
back. the door opened, and radiant, clad in
Royal attire, came the conquering Cleo
patra- Alone she came, and the door was
shut behind her. stood like one distraught; /;
but she swept on till she was face to face
with ne.
Greeting Harmachis," she said, smiling
sweetly. $50 my messenger has found
theer' and she pointed to the corpse OF
Paulus. "Pahl he has an ugly look. Hol
guardsl'
The door was opened, and two armed
Gauls stepped across the threshold.
Take away this carrion," said Cleopatra,
sand ting it % the kites. Stay, draw that
dagger from his traitor breast" The men
bowed low, and the knife, rusted red with
blood. was dragged from the heart Of Paulus
and laid upon the table. Then they seized
him by the head and body and staggered
thence, and heard their heavy footballs as
they bore him down the stars.
"Nethinks, HarnachIs, thou art in an
evil causer' she said, whenthe sound Of the
footballs had died away How strangely
doth the wheel OF Fortune turnl But for
that traitor" and she nodded toward the
door 0y which the corpse of Paulus had
been carried, Il should now be as I'll thing
TO look on as he 3. and the red rust on yon-
der knife would have been gathered from
my heart"
SO il was Paulus who had betrayed me.
"Ay," she went on, "and when thou
caTnest 70 me last night, well knep that
thou camest TO slay. When, time upon
time, thou didst place thy hand within thy
robe, knew that II grasped dagger-hilt,
aud thou vast gathering thy courage 70 the
deed which li.tle thou didst love TO do. Ohl
II was q strange, wild hour well worth the
living, and greatly, from moment 70 mo-
nent, did 1 wonder which Of US twain would
conquer, as we matched guile with guile
and force % force.
"Yea, Harmachis, the guards tramp be-
fore thy door. but De not deceived. Knew
not that do hold thee 20 me BY bonds moro
strong than prison chains; knew 1 not
fat an hedged from III at thy hands by
a fence Of honor more hard for thee to pass
than all the spears OF all my leCi0ns, thou
hadst been dead ere now, Harmacnis. See.
here Is thy knife " And she handed me the
dagger "Now siay me II thou canst.n And
she drew near and tore open the bosom O;
10 --Fa o-g 1+0n2 rr-,r- -f~,tr rxft h -afrn avoz
'sThou cans. not stay ne. she went on.
"f0r there are things. ss know well, that
no onsn-no such man "a thou srt-may do
and live; and this Is the chief Of them-t0
STAY the woman who is al his own. Nay,
stay thy hand Turn not that dagger
sysinst thy breast. for II me thou mayst
not siaT. hy how much the more mayst tnou
not slay thysef. - thou forsworn Priest
OF Isisl Art thou. then, 50 eager TO face
that outraged Majesty in Amenti Win
what eyss, thinkest thou, viil the Heavenly
Nother look upon her son who, snamed IN
a. things and falss % his most sacred VOW.
cones % greet Her, his hfe-0.ood on his
haudsi Where, then. VIII 0e the space FOR
thv stonencat-if, indeed, thou mayst
sfcuer'
Tasn could bear no more, for NJ heart
vas broken within ma Alas Is was TOO
true dared Tot dls. To seca = pass was
I come that did not even daro 70 die
aunz myself upon The couch and wept-
wept tears o. blood and anguish.
Bat Ciecpatrs came 70 me. and, seating
herself beside ne. she sfrove % comfort
ne throwing her arms ao01s nv neck
''Nav. Love. .ook W Sc sad. "Ai Il
nc- loss for thee. nor an sngerpd against
taee. We l-i pay mighty game blt -