The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-12-19

for thlnc."
raen at length opened my eyes, and as
best Icould spoke.
''Rcstrain thy grief, dear friend" said
AZ live yet; and, in truth, / feel as though
new life did gather in NV brcast..''
She gave little cry Of joy. and never
saw / aught more beautiful than the change
that came upon her weeping face! 1t was
a when the first lights Of the day run up
the ashcn pailor Of that sad sky which vails
the night from dawn. All rosy grew her
lovely countenance; her dim eyes shone out
like stars: and smile Of wouderment.
more sweet than the sudden smile OF the
sea as its ripples wake to brightness be.
meath the kiss OF the risen moon, broke
through her ram Of tears.
'.Thou livestr' she cried, throwing her,
self upon her knees beside my couch
..Thou livcst-and ! thought thee gone.
Thou art come back to me! On! what say
II How foolish is woman's heart! It's
this long watching! Nay: sleep and rest
thee. Harmachis why dost thou talk
Not one more word. | command thee.
straightly! Oh, where is the draught lief,
by that long-beardcd fool. Nay, thou shalt
have no draught! There. sleep, Harmachis:
Sleep and she crouched down at my side
vs.
muring: "Sleep. sleep. s'eep'"
And when / woke up there still she was.
but the lights of dawn were peeping through
the easement. There still she knelt, one
hand upon my forehead, and her head, in
all its disarray Of curls. resting upon her
ontstrctched arm. ''Charmion,' ! whis-
pered. shave slept.'
Instantly she was wide awake and gaz-
L. u. ..Ny-
hast slept, Harmachis.a
How long, then, have l sleptt'
mine hours"
.sAnd thou hast held thy place there, at
my side, for nine long hours.'
..Yea, it is naugh,: | also have slept
feared TO waken thee il stirred
1Go rest thee" said. at shames me Ia
think Of this thing. Go rest thee, Char
mion.''
..vex not myself" she answered-..see
! will bid slave watch thee and to wake
me il thou needst aagkt; l sleep there, In
the outer chamber. Peace-I d." and she
etrove TO rise, but, sc cramped was she, fell
straightway on the door.
Scarce can tell the sense OF shame tina,
filed me when saw her fall. Alas. could
not stir to help her.
j
but catch my foot. THERE and she rose
again TO fal!-"a pest upon my awkward
ness! why-I must be sleeping.-'ts wei
now. II send the slaye.'' and she stag
gered thence like one o'ercome with wine.
And after that, once more slept, for
was very weak. When / woke il was at
ternoon, and craved for food, which Char
mion brought me.
late! "Then die mott" said.
.Nay," she answered. with toss OF hei
head, ''thou wilt live. In truth, did waste
my pity on thee
And thy pity did save my life," said
wearily, for now l remembered.
1T is naught." she answered, carclessly
after all, thou art my cousin: also. / love
nursing; it's woman's trade. Like
enough had done as much for any slave
Now. too, that the danger is past, l lcav.
thee"
Better hadst thou done TO let me die
charmicn,' said after awhile. "for life Il
Tell me, then, when sails Cleopatra fol
Cilicia.'
I'm twenty days she sails. and with suci
romp and glory as Egypt hath never seen
OF a truth. can not guess where she ha.
found the gold TO gather in this store O.
splendor, as husbandman gathers his ricl
fruits"
But /, knowing whence came the wealth
Rroaned in bitterness of spirit, and mad.
no answer.
''Gocst thou also, charmion.'' / asked
presently.
.Ay, and all the Court Thou, too--,ho,
Roest."
Il 60! Nay, why is tnis:'
because thou art her slave. ana mus
march in gi,ded chains behind her chariot
because she fears to leave thee here il
Khem; because it is her will, and there i
an end"
''Charmlon, can l not escape."
Escape, thou poor sick man! Nay, hoy
.:dnst thou escapes Fen now most strictl
ert thou guarded. And il thou didst es
cape. whittier wouldst thou fly! There no
an honest man in Egypt but would spit Of
thee in scorn.''
Once more groaned in spirit, and bein,
80 weak felt the tears roll a-down m,
cheek.
Weep mott" she said. hastily, and turn
ing her face aside BE man, and BRAY
these troubles out. Thou hast sown, nov
must thou reap; bns after harvest tn
waters rise and wash away the roots, an,
then once more comes seed time. Per
chance, yonder in Cilicia, . way may b
found when once more thou art stronl
ehA,, avst &c - fn he,