The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-10-31


the moldcr's hands, and - thou ilost
fashion me 80 shall be. There breathes
within mo now breath OF glory blowing
across ths waters Of nv soul. that can watt
mo 70 cads more noble than ever have
dreamed afore, IL thou wilt be my pilot and
my guide. But ii Jose thee, then lose all
that holds mo from my worse self-and let
shipwreck comet Thou knowest me not,
Harrac!is! thou canst not see how big a
spirit struggles within this frail form of
mine! To thec / am o girl, clever. way-
ward, shallow. But am more! Show me
thy lof:iest thought and will match it, the
deepest puzzle Of thy mind and I will make
it clear. or one blood arc we, and love can
ravel up our Little difference and make us
grow ono indeed. OEe end we have, one
land we love. one vow binds us both. Take
me to tiny heart, Harmachis, aud set me By
thee on the Double Throne, and / swear
that l will lift thee higher than ever man
has climbed. Reject me, and beware lest
! pull thee down! And now, putting aside
the cold delicacy Of custom, stung thereto
By what saw Of tho arts Of that lovely liy-
ing fasschocd, Cleopatra. which for pastime
she doth practice on thy folly, Ihave spoken
out na- heart. and answer thon.'' And silc
clasped her hands, and, drawing one pace
nearer. gazed all trembling on my face.
For q moment stood struck dumb. for
the magic Of her voice and the power Of her
speech, despite myself, had stirred me
like the rush of music. Had loved the
woman doubtless she might have fired me
with her flame; but loved her not, and
could not play at passion. And 30 thought
came, end with thought that laughing mood
which is ever apt TO fastcn upon nerves
strained to the point OF breaking. In .
flash. as II were, bethonyht me of the way
In which she had that very night forced the
wreath Of roses on my head. l thought Of
tho kcrchief and how had flung it forth.
Thought Of Charmion in the little cnam-
her watching what she held to bo the arts
OF Cleopatra, and of her bitter speeches.
Lastly, thought Of what my uncle Sepa
would say of her could he sec her now, and
Of the strange and tangled skcin where
with was inmeshcd. laughed aloud
the fools laughter-tiat was my knell Of
ruin
She turned winter yct--white as the dead
and on her face there grew q lock that
checked My foolish mirth. ..Thou hndest,
then, Harmachis," she said, in low, cloked
voice, and dropping the level of her eyes
'sthou findest cause Of mcrrimcnt in what
have said"
May / answered. shay, Charmion; ;
forgive me If laughed. Twas rather
laugh Of despair; for what am TO say to
thee. Thou hast spoken high words of oil
thou mightcst be: is it left for me to tell
thee what thou art"
She shrank. and paused.
Speak" she said.
"Thou knowest-none so weli-wnat am
and what my mission Is: thou knowest-
none 50 weil-that am sworn to Isis, and
may, by law divine. have naught to do with
thec.''
"Av," she broke in, in her low voice and
with her eyes still fixed upon tho ground;
'.ay, and I know that thy vows are broken
in spirit, IL not in forn-broken like
wreaths Of clouds--for. Harmachis, thou
forest C'eopat,ur'
ut is lie!- / cried. ssrhou wanton
girl, who wouldst seduce me from my duty
and put me to an open shamc!-who, led by
passion or ambition, or the love OF evil.
hast not shamed TO break the barriers of
thy sex and speak as thou hast spoken
beware lest thou go too far! And ii thou
wilt have an answer, here it is, put
straightly as thy question. Charmion. out
side the matter OF my duty and my vows,
thou art nauSht TO me!-nor, for all thy
tender glances, will my heart beat one
pulse more fast! Hardly art thou now my
friend-for, of q truth, scarce can trust
thee. But, once more, beware! To me
thou n1ayest do thy worst: but if thou dost
dare to lift finger against our cause, that
day thou diest! And now is this play
done.''
Aud as, wild with anger, spoke thus.
she shraak back, and yet further back, Ill
at length she rested against the wall. her
eyes covered with her hand. Bat when
ceased she dropped her hand, glancing up,
and her face was the face of statue,
wherein the great eyes glowed like ernbers.
and round them was ring of purple
shadow.
"Not altogether done," she said gently;
"the arena must yet be sanded.' This she
said having reference to the covering up OF
the blood stains at the gadlatorial shows
with fine white sand. ..Wcli,'' she went on,
waste not thine anger on Il thing 50 vile.
have thrown my throw and / have lost.
Var yictis. -ah! Nn victis! Wilt thou not
lend mo the dagger in thy robe, that here
and now may end my shame: No. Then
one word more, Most Royal Harma"his: II
thou canst, forget my folly; but, at the
least, have no fear from me. / am now, as
ever, thy servant and the servant of our
cause. FAREWELL"
Aud she went, leaning her hand against
tho wall. But /, passing to my chamber,
flung myself upon my couch and groancd in
bitterness OF spirit. Alas! we shape our
plans, and by slow degrees build up our
house Of aope, never counting on the guests
that time shall bring to lodge therein. For
who can guard against-the Unforeseen.
At length / slept, and evil were my
dreams. When woke the light Of the
day which. should see the red fuifilment Of
the plot was streaming through the case
men', and the birds sang merrily among
tho garden paine. woke, and as ! woke
the sense Of trouble pressed In upon me,
for remembered that before this day was
gathered to the past must dip my hands
in blood in the blood Of Cleopatra,
who trusted me. Why could not hate her
as should. There had been time when
had looked on this act OF vengeance with
somewhat OF a righteous glow Of zeal. And
now-and now. why, would frankly give
my royal birthright to be free from its ne
ccssity! But. alas. knew that there was
no cacape. must drain the cup or be for
ever cast away. felt tho eyes Of Egypt
watching me, and tie eyes Of Egypt's Gods.
prayed 10 my Mother Isis to give Inc
strength 10 do this deed, and prayed as
had never prayed before; and. y wonder.
no answer came. Nay, hoy was this.
What Then had ,oosed the link between us
that, for the fret time, tue Goddess deigned
20 reply to her chosen servant: Could it be
that ! had s.E.cd in heart against her.
What he'd charm.on sad-ihat loved Gle
opatra. Was this; sickness love. Nay, a
thousand times nay.-'twas but the revolt
OF Nature against a decd Of treachcry and
blood. The Goddess cid but try my
strength, or perchance sho also turned her
holy courtcuanrc from blood.
resc FLEA with despair, aud went about
my work like n man without {. soul.
COINED the fatal lists ant noted all tho plans
lay. in my brain J gathered up the very
words CT that proclamation Of my Royalty
which On the moYrcw l should issue to tie
startled world.
''Ca!xcns of Alexandria and jewellers i
the iaEd Of Egypt" it began, "Cieopatr.,.
the Macedonian. hath, by the command OF
the Gods. suffered justice for her crimes
A nth Il l,,,4 4 Il