The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-12-05

Night after night for those four unhappy
nights, the last happy hours ever was to
know, We sat hand in hand upon the deck
and heard the waters lap the vessels eide,
and watched the soft football OF the moon
as she trod the depths Of tho Nile. There
we sat and talked OF love, talked Of our
marriage and all that we would do. Also
drew up plans Of war and Of defense against
the Roman, which now we had the means
to carry ont; and she approved them,
sweetly saying that what seemed good TO
me was good 10 her. And so oil too swiftly
passed the days. q those nights upon the
Nile their memory haunts me yeti Dead
are those dear nights, dead is the moon
that lit them aud lost in the wide salt sea
arc the waters which rocked US on their
breast For all things end In darkness and
ashes, and those who sow in folly shall reap
In sorrow. All those nights upon the Nile!
And 20, At length, once moro we stood
within the walls Of that fair palace on the
Locbias, and the dream was done.
whittier hast thou wandered with Cleo
patra, Harmachis!n asked Charlnion of me
when met her By chance on that day OF
return. .On some new mission OF betrayal
or was it but love Journeys"
Il went with Cleopatra upon secret bust
ness Of the State" answered, sternly.
$50 those who 90 secretly, 80 evilly; and
foul birds love to fly at night. Not but what
thou art wise, for scarce would 1t bescem
thee, Harmachis. to show thy face In
Egypt"
Iheard, and felt my passion rise within
me; for Ill could bear this fair girls scorn.
"Hast thou never word without .
stingf' asked. "Know, then. that went
whittier thou hadst never dared TO GO; 70
gather meaus to hold Egypt from the grasp
Of Antony"
''So.n she answered. looking mp swiftly.
s'Thou foolish mani Better hadst thou done
TO savc thy labor, for Antony will grasp
Egypt in thy despite. What power hast
thou to-day in Egyptg'
I'm my despite that he may do: but in de.
spite Of Cleopatrs that he can not do" ]
said.
Nay, but with the aid Of Cleopatra he
can and will do It," she answered, with a
bitter smile. when the Queen sails in
state up Cydnus' stream she will surely
draw this coarse Antony thence to Alex
andria, conqucring, and yet, like thee, q
slave!'
ut is false! say that 1t il falsel Cleo
patra goes not 70 Tarsus, and Antony
comes not TO Alexandria; or, il he come,
twill be to take the chance of war"
'Now, thinkest thou thusi" she an
swered, with little laugh. "Well, IL IL
please thee, think ~ thou wilt. Within
three days thou shalt know. Ills pretty
to see how easily thou art fooled. Fare
well! Go, dream on Love, for surely Love
10 sweet
And she went leaving me angered and
troubled ut heart.
That day I saw Cleopatra no more, but
on the day which followed saw her. She
was In heavy mood. and had no gentle
word for me. Ispake to her Of the defense
Of Egypt. but she put the matter away.
why dost thou weary mer' she said,
with aIgcr; .'cansf thou not see that l am
lost in troubless When Dellius hath had
Ills answer, then will we speak Of these
Matters
"Ay,,' Isaid. '.when Dellius hath had his
answer; and knowcst thou that but ycs.er.
day Characterization about the palace
they Eamc the 'kceper of the Queens
sccrets'-CLarmion did swear that the an.
swer would be: Go In peace: come 10
Antonyp'
'sNaught knows Charmion OF my heart, y
said Cleopatra, stamping her foot in anger,
land il she talk so freely the girl shall DO
scourged from out my court, as is her de-
sert Though, In truth" she added, "she
hath more wisdom in that small head OF
hers than all my privy ccuncillors-sy, and
more wit TO use it. Knowest thou that ]
have sold portion Of those gems to the rich
Jews Of Alexandria, and at great price.
~, At five thousand sestertia for each one.
But q few, in truth. for more they could not
buy as yet. Twas rare to see their eyes
when they ieil upon them-large IS apples
they grew with avarice and wonder. And
now leave me, Harmachis. for am weary.
Tho memory of that dread night il with me
yet"
bowed and rose to go, aad yet stood
waverinE.
"Pardon me, Cleopatra; it's Of our mar.
riage."
.sOur marriage: why. are we not indeed
already wedn she answered.
"Yce. but not before the world. Thou
didst promise
Jay, Harmschis, did promise, and to.
morrow, when have rid me Of this Dellius,
will keep my promise and name thee Cleo
patra's Lord before tho court. See that
thou art in thy place. Art contcnt.'
And she stretched out her b and for me to
kiss, looking on me with strange eyes, as
though she struggled with herself. Then
went, but that night once more stroye to
see Cleopatra and could not. 1.-THE Lady
Charmon was with the Queen" % said the
eunuchs, and mono might enter.
On the morrow tho court met in the great
hall one hour before midday, and thither
went with trembling heart to hear Cleo
patra's answer to Deliius and TO hear myself
also made King consort to the Queen Of
Egypt. II was u full and splendid court
there were councillors, lords, captains
eunuchs and waiting women-all save Char
mion. The hour passed, but Cleopatra and
Charmion came not. At length Charmioi
entered gently by . side entrance and tool
her place among the waiting ladies abou
the throne. Even as she did 90 she cast I
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