The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-06-27

"Antony," whispered. siCleopatra was
my love before she passed from me to thee.
lam Harmachis. that astrologer who stood
behind thy couch at Tarsus; and I have
been the chief minister of thy ruin. Die,
Antony' the curse Of Aeasa-ra hath falenr'
He raised himself, and stared upon my
face. He could not speak, but gibbering, he
pointed at me. Then with q groan his
mighty spirit fed.
Thus did I accomplish my revenge upon
Roman Antony, the world-loser.
Thereafter, then, we recovered Cleopatra
from her swoon, for not yet was / minded
that she should die. And taking the body
Of Antony, Caesar permitting, and Atoua
caused it to be most skillfully embalmed
after our Egyptian fashion, covering the
face with mask of gold fashioned like to
the features Of Antony. Also wrote upon
his breast his name and titles, and painted
his name and the namo Of his father within
his inner coffin, and drew the form Of the
holy Nout folding her wings about him.
Then with great pomp Cleopatra laid him
in that sepulcher which had been made
ready, and in sarcophagus of alabaster.
Now, this sarcophagus was fashioned so
large that place was left therein for sec
ond coffin, for Cleopatra was fain to lie by
Antony at the last.
These things then happened. And but
little while after learnt tidings from one
Cornelius Dolabella, noble Roman who
waited upon Cesar, and moved by the
beauty that swsyed the souls Of all who
looked upon ner, had pity for the woes of
Cleopatra. He bade me warn her-for, ss
her physician, 1t was allowed me to pass in
and out Of the tomb where she dwelt-thst
in three days she would be sent away to
Rome, together with her children, that she
might walk in the triumph Of Caesar. Ac-
cordingly went in, and found her sitting,
as now she always sat, plunged in half
stupor, and before her that blood-stained
robe wherewith she had stanched the
wounds Of Antony. For on this she would
continually feast her eyes.
"See how faint they grow, Olympus, "she
said, lifting her sad face and pointing to the
rusty stains, land he 30 lately dead Why
Gratitude could not fade more fast. What
IL now thy newsl Evil tidings is writ large
in those dark eyes Of thine, which ever
bring back to me something that still slips
my mind"
I'll Is the news, oQueen," answered.
"This have from the lips Of Dolabells, who
hath it straight from Casar's Secretary.
On the third day from now will Caesar send
thee and the Prince Ptolemy and Alexander
and the Princess Cleopatra to Rome, there
to feast the eyes Of the Roman mob, and be
led in triumph to that Capitol where thou
didst swear to set thy throne"
'tNever, neverr' she cried, springing to
her feet. "Never will walk in chains in
C@sar's triumph What must 1 dol Char
mion, tell me what can dop'
And Charmion, rising, stood before her,
looking at her through the long lashes Of
her downcast eyes.
'sLady, thou csnst die,r she said quietly.
SAY, Of truth I had forgotten; can
die. olympus, hast thou the drugr'
"Nay; but If the Queen wills it, by TO-
morrow morn 1t shall be brewed-a drug so
swift and strong that not the Gods them
selves can hold him who drinks it back
from sleep"
LET It be made ready, thou master Of
deathI"
bowed, and Withdrew myself; and all
that night and old Atoua labored at the dis
tilling Of the deadly draught. At length it
was done. and Atoua poured it into a crys
tai phial, and held it to the light Of the fire;
for white it was as the purest water.
ala, Ear she sang, in her shrill voice;
ia draught for Queen When fifty drops
of that water Of my brewing have passed
those red lips Of hers, thou wilt, indeed, be
avenged Of Cleopatra. o, Harmachisl Oh,
that I could be there to see thy Ruin
ruinedl La, La 1t would be sweet to
see"
Vengeance Is an arrow that ofttimes
falls upon the archer's head,'' answered,
bethinking me Of Chsrmiou's saying.
.. ITO BE CONTIyUED.1 ..s