Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-01-02
FAR AWAY sTOoD CHARMIoN.

HT/ ~ I
FAR AWAY scOoD CHARMIoN.
columns of black marble, we stayed. For
beyond WAS the private chamber Of Cleo.
pa:ra, even toe same wherein / had seen her
sleeping.
''Abidc thou here" she said, "whlle tell
Cleopatra 0: thy coming" and she gl.ded
from my sile.
For long stood, mayhap in all for half an
hour, Counting my own heart beats and, as
In a dream, striving to ga. her up my
strength to that which Law before me.
A. length came Charmion back, her head
held low and walking heavily.
cleopatra watts thee" she said, ''pass
on, there is no guard"
''Where do l meet thee when what must
be done is done!" 1 asked. hoarsely.
Thou mee;eSt HE here, and then to
Paulus. Be firm and prosper Fare thee
well
And 50 l went; but at the curtain ]
turned suddenly, and there in the midst OF
that. lonely lamp-lit hall l saw q strange
sight. Far away, in such a fashion that the
light struck full upon hel, stood Charmion,
her head thrown back, her white arms out
stretched as though to clasp, and on h r.
girlish face stamp of anguished passion
so terrible to behold that indeed Can not
tell it'll For she believed that l. whom she
loved. was passing to my death, and this was
her last farewell to me.
But of this matter l knew naught; 50
with another passing pangof wonder drew
aside the curtains, gained the doorway and
stood within Cleopatra's chamber. And
there, upon a silken couch at the far end Of
the perfumed chamber, clad in wonderful
white attire. rested Cleopatra. In her hand
was a jeweled fan Of ostrich p.umes, where
with she e >ntly famed herself, and by her
side was her harp Of ivory, and little table
whereon were figs and goblets aud flask
Of ruby-co.ored wine. Slowly drew near
through the soft, dim light to where in all
her glowing beauty lay tho wonder Of the
world. And, indeed, never have seen her
look 80 fair as she did upon that fatal night.
Couchcd in her amber cushions she seemed
to shine as a star on the :wiiiyht's g ow.
From her hair and bcs can, perfume,
from her lips fell music, uud III her h aven-
ly eyes all lights changed aud gathered as
in the ominous opais disk.
And thus was the woman whom must
slay!
Slowly I drew near. bowling as came;
but she took no heed. She liy there, and
the jeweed fam floated TO anu fro like the
bright wing of some towering bird.
At length l stood befor, her, and she
glanced up, the ostrich plumes pressed
against her breast as though to hide its
beauty.
"Fhai! friend, art thou Gomez" she said
"'Tis well; for grew lonely here. Nay,
tits weary world We know so many
faces, and so few there ARE whom we love
to see again. Well, stand not there so
mute, but be seated" And she pointed
with her ian to o c,,ven chair that was
placed nigh to her feet.
Oace more bowed IN took the seat.
II have obeyed the Queens desire,' l
said. land with much care and skill worked
ont tho lesson of 'h ars: and here Is the
rec ord ,y I;.5r. II the Queen permits
Iw:.l ex pound it to her" And / rose, IN
order that nigh: pass round tho couch
and, as she read, stab her In the back
"Nay, HarmachiS." she said quietly, and
with slow and lovely smile. "Biie thou
where tAou art, and give me the writing.
BY Scraps! thy f..ce Is too comeIy for mo
to wish to lose the signt of it."
Checked in this my design, could do
nau=ht but hand her the papyrus, thinking
to myself that as she rSad I would arise
suddenly and plunge the dagger to her
heart. She ,oos ii, and, as she did so,
touched my hand. Then she made pre-, ense
to read. But no word did she read, for
saw that her eyes were fixed upon me over
the edge Of the scroll.
"Why placest thou thy hand within thy
robe. she asked presently; for, indeed. I
clutched the daggcr's hilt. SIS thy heart
stirrcd!'
~ ea, o Qacen," said, sit beats high"
She gave no answer, but ouce more made
pretensc to read, aud the while she watched
me.
I1ook counsel with myself. How should
I do the hateful deed! If flung myself
upon her now she would see EIe and scream
and struggle. Nay, must wait chance.
The auguries are favorable, then, Har-
nachisi" She said at length, though this
snc must h We guessed at.
Eyes, o Qieen.' l answered.
"'Tis well, and she cast the writing on
the m .rblr. ''The ships shall sail. For,
good or bad, ! am weary OF weighing
CHARGES"
This is heavy matter, o Qnecn,"
said. Il had wished 10 show upon what
circumstance base my forecast"
.'Nay, MT so, II ,rnac..i,; h &c wearicd
of The ways OF s, airs. i hoa hist prophesicd;