The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-04-11
swhy looles. .hou thu. strangely. eirlr'

"why lOokess thou thus strangely. sirir'
l asked.
I'm dreams we smile,n she answered
| "And now tits time; follow thou me. Be
] firm and prosper Royal Harmachisp And
bending forward, she took my hand and
kissed it. Then, with one strange look, she
turned and led the way down the STAIR
through the empty halls.
In the chamber that n called the Alabas-
ter Hall, Of which the roof II upborne by
columns of black marble, we stayed. For
beyond was the private chamber Of Cleo
patra, even the same wherein I had seen her
sleeping.
abide thou here" she said, "while tell
Cleopatra Of thy coming" and she giided
from my side.
For long I stood, msyhap IN al for half an
hour, counting my own heart beats and, as
| In q dream, striving to gather up my
strength to that which lay before me.
At length came Charmion back, her head
held low and walking heavily.
Cleopatra waits thee" she said, ''pass
on, there is no guard"
where do meet thee when what must
be done is donei" I asked, hoarsely.
Thou meetest me here, and then to
Paulus. Be firm and prosper. Fare thee
we'll"
And 90 I went; but at the curtain I
turned suddenly, and there in the midst Of
that lonely lamp-lit hall saw strange
sight. Far away, In such fashion that the
light struck full upon her, stood Charuiion,
her head thrown back, her white arms out
stretched as though to clasp, and on her
girlish face a stamp of snguished passion
SO terrible to behold that indeed I can not
tell il! 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 I knew naught; so
with another passing psngof wonder drew
aside the curtains, gained the doorway and
stood within Cleopatra's chamber. And
there, upon silken couch at the far end Of
the perfumed chamber, clad in wonderful
white attire, rested Cleopatra. In her hand
was jeweled fan Of ostrich plumes, where
with she gently famed herself, and by her
side was her harp of ivory, and little table
whereon were figs and Eoblets and flask
Of ruby-coIored wine. Slowly drew near
through the soft dim light to where in all
her glowing beauty lay the wonder of the
world. And, indeed, never have I seen her
look so fair as she did upon that fatal night
Couched in her amber cushions she seemed
to shine as star on the twIlight's glow.
From her hair and robes came perfume,
from her lips fell music, and in her heaven
ly eyes all lights changed and gathered as
In the ominous opa's disk.
And this was the woman whom must
slayi
Slowly I drew near, bowling as came :;
but she took no heed. She lay there, and
the jeweled fan fioated to and fro like the
bright wing OF some towering bird.
At length 1 stood before her, and she
glanced up, the ostrich plumes pressed
against her breast as though to hide its
beauty.
"Whatl friend, art thou comet" she said.
"Tis well; for grew lonely here. Nay,
it's 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 fan to a carven chair that was
placed nigh to her feet.
Once more I bowed and took the seat.
81 have obeyed the Queens DESIRE"
said. sand with much care aud skill worked
out the lessons of the stars; and here is the
record of my labor. II the Queen permits
I Twill expound it to her." And I rose, IN
order that 1 might pass round the couch
and, as she read, stab her in the back.
NAY, Hsrmacnis," she said quietly, and
with q slow and lovely smile. ''Bide thou