The sun., 1889-02-17

Hing that 30 young q woman. for she had but
twenty years, could weave 30 bold plot, for In
It's origin the scheme was hers. But in those
| days little knew Charmion. Go on; how
then shall gain entrance to the palace OF
Cleopatra?"
Nay. cousin. as things are II Is easy. Thus
Cleopatra loveth to look upon q man, and
give me pardonl-thy face and form are fair
To-day she noted them. and twice she said she
would she had asked where that astrologer
might be found, for she held that an astroloeer
who could we'll nigh say Nubian gladiator
with his bare hands. must indeed be master
OF the stars. answered her thatI would cause
inquiry to be made. So hearken, Royal Har-
machis-at midday Cleopatra sleeps in her
inner hall that looks over the gardens to the
harbor. At that hour, then, will meet thee at
the gates Of the Palace, whittier come thou
boldly asking for the Lady Charmlon. will
make appointment for thee with Cleopatra, SO
that she shall see thee alone whom she wakes,
and the rest shall be for thee. Harmachis. For
much she loves to play with the mysteries OF
magic, and whole nights have l known her
stand watching the stars and making pre-
tence to read them. And but lately hath she
sent away Dioscorides the Physician. in that,
poor fooll he ventured on o prophecy from the
conjunction OF the stars that Cassius would
defeat Mark Antony. Thereon Cleopatra de-
spatched to the General Allienus. bidding him
add the legions she had sent to Syria to help
Antony to the army Of Cassius, whose victory,
forsooth. was-accordng to Dioscorides-writ-
ten on the stars. But, as it CHANGED, Antony
beat Cassius first and Brutus afterward, and
80 Dioscorides hath departed, and now
he lectures for his bread on herbs In the
museum. and hates the name Of stars. But his
place is empty. and thou shalt flll 1t. and then
We will work in secret and in the shadow OF the
sceptre Aye, we will work like the worm at
the heart OF O fruit till the time OF plucking
comes. and on thy dagger's touch. Royal
cousin. the fabric Of this Grecan throne crum-
bles to nothingness. and the worm that rotted
1t bursts his servie covering and, in the sight
Of empires spreads his royal wings DER Egypt"
gazed at this strange girl once moro aston
ished. and saw that her face was lit up with
such light as had never seen upon tho face
OF woman.
"Ah." broke in my uncle. who was watching
her. ah l love to see thee 30. girl. There is
the Charmion that knew and I bred up-not
the Court girl. whom loved not. draped in
silks OF Cos and fragrant with essences. Let
thy heart harden in this mould-aye. stamp it
with the fervd zeal OF patriot faith, and thy
reward shall find thee. And now cover UP that
shameless dress Of thine and leave us. for 1t
grows late. Tomorrow shall Harmach come.
as thou hast said. And 30. farewell"
Charmion bowed her head. and. turning,
wrapped her dark-hued peplos round her.
Then. taking my hand. she touched 1t with her
lips and without any further word she went
"A strange woman |" said sepa, when she
had gone: "a most strange woman and an
uncertain !"
Nath rrht Ia otI 4 xhoNx
vast somewhat harsh with her."
Aye" he answered. but not without a
cause. Look thou. Hamachis; beware Of this
Charmion She is too wayward, and. fear
me. may be led away. In truth, she Is q very
woman: and. like restve horse. will take the
path that pleases her. Brain she has, and fire:
and she loves our cause; but I pray that the
cause come not face to face with her desires.
for what her heart Is set on that will she do
at any cost will she do it. Therefore did I
frighten her now. while I may; for who can
know but that she will pass beyond my power?
tell thee, that in this one girls hand lie all
our lives and if she play us false, what then2
Alas and alas! that we must use such tools as
thesel But 1t was needful: there was no other
way; and yet l misdoubt me. l pray that it
may be we'll and still. at times. fear my niece
Charmion-she is too fair. and the blood Of
youth runs too warm in those blue veins OF
hers. Oh woe TO the cause that builds Its
strength upon .woman's faith for women,
say. are faithful only where they love. and
when they love their faithlessness becomes
their faith. They are not fixed as men are
fixed they rise moro high and sink more low
they are strong and changeful as the sea- I
say to thee. Harmachis. beware Of this Char
mion: for like the ocean. she may float thee
home: or. like the ocean she may wreck thee.
and, with thee. all the hope OF Egypt"