The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-04-11


VS S~DS
"I'vB WONT" SHE CRIED.
OF her eyes upon my eyes, almost did she
draw me to her. But remembered, anc
would not.
Hast thou, then. no word of thanks fol
my poor singing, HarmachisT she said al
length.
"Yea, o Queen" I answered, speaking
very low, for my voice was choked; "bu-
thy songs are not good for the sons Of mer
to hear-of a truth they overwhelm mel"
NAY, Harmachis; for thee there is nc
fear" she said, laughing softly-''seeins
that know how far thy thoughts are SCI
from woman's beauty and the common
weakness of thy sex. With cold iron We
may safely toy"
Thought within myself that coolest iron
can be brought to whitest heat if but the
fire be fierce enough. But l said naught
and, though my hand trembled. once more
grasped the dagger's hilt, and, wild with
fear at nv own weakness, set myself to find
means to slay her while yet my sense re
NAMED
Come hither. Harmachis," she went on,
in her softest voice. Come, sit by me, and
we will talk together; for have much tC
tell thee" And she made place for me al
her side upon the silken seat.
And /, thinking that / might the more
swiftly strike, rose and seated myself some
little way from her, while, finglng back
her head, she gazed on me with her slum.
berous eyes.
Now was my occasion, for her white
throat and breast were bare, and, with a
mighty effort, once again lifted my hand
to clutch the dagger hilt. But. more quick
than thought, she caught my fingers with
her own and gently held them.
"Why lookest thou so wildly, Har-
machisn she said. Art sickr'
"Ay. sick indeed" gasped.
Then lean thou upon the cushions and
rest thee" she answered, still holding my
hand, wherefrom the strength had fed.
The fit will surely pass. Too long hast
thou labored with thy stars How soft is
the night air that flows from youder case
ment heavy with the breath of lilies! Hark
to the whisper of the sea tapping against
the rocks, that, though faint it is, yet, being
so strong, doth almost drown the quick, cool
fail of yonder mountain. List to Philomel;
how sweet from full heart of love she
sings her message to her dearl Surely tits
a lovely night. and most beautiful is
natures music sung with a hundred voices
from wind and trees and birds and oceans
wrinkled lips, and yet sung all to tune.
Listen, Harmachis; something have
guessed concerning thee. Thou. too, art Of
a royal race; no humble blood pours in
those veins of thine. Surely such a shoot
could spring but from the stock of Princes |.
What gazest thou at the leaf mark on my
breasti Twas pricked there in honor Of
Osiris, whom with thee worship. Seer
"Let me hence" groaned, striving to
rise; but all ny strength had gone.
NAY, not yet awhile. Thou wouldst not
leave me YETI Thou cdnst not leave me yet
Harmachis, hast thou never lovedi"
Nay, nay, o Queeni What have to do
with love! Let me hence! am faint-for-
doner"
sNever to have loved-'tis strange!
Never to have known some womau -heart
beat all in tune to thine-never to have
seen the eyes Of thy adored a-swin1 with
passions tears as she sighed her vows
upon thy breasti Never to have loved!-
never to have lost myself in the mystery
of another's soul; nor to have learned how
Nature can overcome our naked loneli-
ness, and with the golden web Of love Of
twain weave one identityl Why, tbs
never to have lived, Harmachisr'
And ever as she murmured she drew
nearer to me, till at last, with a long, sweet
sigh, she flung one white arm about my
neck, and gazing upon me with blue, IN
fathomable eyes, smiled her dark, slow
smile, that, like an opening flower, re-
vealed beauty within beauty hidden.
Nearer she bent her queeniy form and still
more near-now her perfumed breath
played upon my hair, and now her lips met
mine.
And, woe is mel in that kiss, more dead
~ and more strong than the embrace of
death, were forgotten Isis, my Heavenly
HOPE, Oaths, Honor, Country, Friends, all
things save that Cleopatra clasped me IN
her arms and called me Love and Lord.
Now pledge me-" she murmured-
''pledge me one cup Of wine in token Of thy
love"
I took the draught, and deep drank;
and then too late ] knew that it was
drugged.
Back fell upon the couch, and, though
my senses still were with me, / could
neither speak nor rise.
But Cleopatra, bending over me, drew
the dagger from my robe
''I're gon" she cried, shaking back her
long hair, "Tve won, and for the stake of
twas a game worth playingi
it'll this dagger, then, thou wouldst have
slain me, o my Royal rival, whose myr-
midons cen now are gathered at my palace
gate? Art still awakel Now, what him
ders me that should not plunge it to thy
hearth"
heard and feebly pointed 70 my breast,
for fain was to die. She drew herself to the
full of her imperial height, and the great
knife glittered in her hand Down it came
till its edges pricked my flesh.
'sNay," she cried again, and cast it from
her, ''too well l Like thee. Pity 'twere to
Stay such q man! I give thee thy life.
Live on, lost Pharaoh! Live on, poor fallen
Thing, blasted by a woman's Wit! Live on,
adorn my triumph
Then sight left me; and In my ears only
beard the song OF the nightingale, the muir
muir Of the sea, and the music Of Cleo
patra's laugh Aud as l sank away the
soand Of that low laugh still followed me
into the land Of sleep, and still 1t follows
ne through life TO death.