The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-10-17

M uttered the secret word.
.Y7S- liam come, my father"
she said III o sweet, clear voice, Though
OF . truth il was not easy toescape the rev.
els at the palace. But told the Queen that
the sun and the riot in the streets had made
me sick, and she let me go.''
''lt is we1l,'' he answered. .'Unyail thy
self; here thou art safe
With little sigh of WEAKNESS she un.
clasped the peplos and let it slip from her,
giving to my sight the face and form of that
beauteous girl who had stood to fan Cleo
patra in the chariot. For she was very fair
and pleasant to look upon, and her Grecian
robes chung sweetly about her supple limbs
and budding form. Her hayward hair,
flowing in a hundred little curls, was bound
with i golden fillct, and OH her feet were
sandals. Her cheeks blushcd like flower.
and her dark soft eyes were downcast, as
though with modesty, but smiles and dim
pies trenuled about her lips.
My uncle frowned when his eyes fell upon
her dress.
Why contest thou in this garD, Char
mion." he asked, sternly. is not the
dress thy mothers wore good enough for
thee. This is no time or place for woman's
,anitics. Thou art not here to conquer, but
20 obey
Nay, be rot wroth, my father.n she an
swcred, softly: '.perchance thou knowest
not that she whom serve will have none
Of our Egyptian dress; it is out of fashion.
10 wear it would have been to court sus-
picion also came in hastc..' And as she
spoke saw that all the while she watched
me covertiy through the long lashes which
fringed her modest eyes.
well, well, he said, sharply. fixing his
keen glance upon her face, doubtless thou
speakest truth, Charmion. Be ever mind
inl Of thy oath, girl, and Of the cause TO
which thou art sworn. BE not light minded.
aud charge thee forget the beauty with
which thou hast been cursed. For mark
thou this, charnion; fail US but one iot
and vengeance shall fall on thce--thc VEN
gcancc of man and the vengeance of
The Gods! To this service he con-
sinued, lasiling himself to anger as he
vent on, til his great Voice rang in tho
narrow room, "hast thou been bred: TO this
end hast thou been instructed aud placed
where thou art, to gain the ear of that
wicked walton whom thou soonest serve.
See thou forget it not; sec that the luxury
Of yonder court does not corrupt tiny purity
and divert thy aim, Charmion.' And his
eyes flashed and his small form seemed to
grow til it attained to dlgnity-nay, almost
70 grandeur. .Charmion,n he said, advanc-
Ing toward her with outstretchcd finger, Il
say to thee that at times do not trust thee.
But two nights gone dreamed / saw thee
standing in the desert. saw thee laugh
and lift thy hand to heaven, aud therefrom
fell rain Of blood; then the sky sank
down on the land cf Khem and covered it.
Whence came the dream, girl, and what is
lis meaning. Naught have against thee
as get: but he;.rkcn! On the moment that
have, though thou art Of my kin, and
haze loved thcc-on that moment, say, will
doom those delicate limbs, which thou
loycst SO much to show, TO the kite and to
.4iic jyslsal, ind the soul within thee to all
Pho tOrtnrcs OF the Gods! Enburied shalt
thou die, nni bodiicss and accurscd shalt
thou wander Ill .-ay, forever and
cycr!'
He paused, for his sudden burst of pas
zion had spent itself But by it. more clear
~ than before. saw how deep heart had
this man beneath the cloak of li:s mcrriness
and simplicity OF :nien, and how tiercely the
mSld within him was set upon his aim. As
for tho girl, she shranlz from him terrified,
Gnd, placing her hands before her face, be-
gan to wccr.
may, speak not so, my father,n she said,
between her soas; 'for what have l done |.
Naught know Of the evil wandering of thy
dreams. am ho soothsayer that should
read dreams. Have not carried out all
things according TO thy dcsirel Have not
been even mindful Of that dread oath!''-
and she tremblcd slave rot played the
sly and told thee aii2 Have | not won the
heart Of tho Queen SO that she loves me AZ
. sister, refusing mo nothing, ~, and the