Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-05-08

"Let him come In and hear our
| answer"
The doors were flung wide, and, fol-
lowed by his train of knights, Dellius, clad
| in his golden armor and his purple
chlamys, walked with catlilke step up the
great hall, and made obeisance before the
throne. -sz-. So.
'.Most Royal and beauteous Egypt" he
| said, in his soft voice, ssas thou hast gra-,
ciously been pleased to bid me, thy servant,
am here to take thy answer to the letter OF
the noble Antony the Triumvir, whom to-
morrow l sail to meet at Tarsus, in Cilicia-
And this will say, Royal Egypt-craving
pardon the while for the boIdness Of my
speech-bethink thee well before words
that can not be unspoken fall from those
sweet lips. Defy Antony, and Antony will
| wreck thee. But, like thy mother Aphro-
dite, rise glorious on his sight from the
bosom of the Cyprian Wave, and for
wreck he will give thee all that can be
dear to woman's Royalty-eupire and
pomp of place, cities and the sway of men,
fame and wealth and the diadem of rule
made sure. For mark: Antony holds this
Eastern World in the hollow of his warlike
hand, and at his will kings are, and at his
frown they cease to be.''
And Dellius bowed his head, and folding
his hands meekly on his breast, awaited
answer.
For awhile Cleopatra answered not, but
sat like the sphinx Horemku, dumb and in
scrutable, gazing with lost eyes down the
length of that great hall.
Then, like soft music, her answer came,
and trembling I listened for Egypt's chal-
lenge to the Roman: f}i
sNoble Dellius, much have we bethought
US of the matter of thy message from great
Antony to our poor Royalty of Egypt.
Much have we bethought us, and counsel
have we taken from the oracles OF the gods,
from the wisest among our friends, and
from the teaching of our heart, that ever,
like nesting bird, broods over our peoples
veal Sharp are the words that thou hast
brought across the sea; methinks better had
they been fitted to the ears of some petty,
hah-tamed Prince than to those of Egypt's
Queen. Therefore have we numbered the
legions that we can gather, and the triermes
and the galleys wherewith we may breast
the sea, and the moneys which shall buy us
all things wanting to our war. And this
we find. that, though Antony be strong, yet
hath Egypt Taught to fear from the strength
Of Antony" :
She paused, and murmur Of applause
of her high words ran down the hall.
Only Dellius stretched out his hands as
though to push them back. Then came the
end
Noble Delliusi Half are we minded
there to bid our tongue stop. and, strong
within our fortresses of stone and our other
fortresses built of the hearts of men, abide
the issue. And yet thus shalt thou not
go. Guiltless are we of those charges
against US that have come to our ears of no
BILE Antony, and which now he rudely shouts
in ours; nor will we journey into Cilicia to
answer them"
Here the murmur arose anew, while my
heart beat high in triumph. and in the pause
that followed Dellius spoke once more
''Then, Royal Egypt, my word to Antony
is word of ware"
s'Nay," she answered, lit shall be one of
come to make answer to these charges, nor
will we. Butt and she smiled for the first
time-"gladly will we come, and that swift
ly, in royal friendship to make known our
fellowship of peace upon the banks of Cyd-
nus'
1 heard, and was bewildered. Could I
hear Alright! Was it thus that Cleopatra
kept her oaths? Moved beyond the hold of
reason, lifted upmy voice and cried:
20 Queen, remember
Like lioness she turned upon me, with
flashing of the eyes and a swift shake of
her lovely head.
tPeace, Slaver' she said; s'who babe thee
break in upon our counselsa Mind thou thy
stars. and leave matters of the world to the
rulers of the world"
1 sank back shamed, and as did so once
more saw the smile of triumph on the face
of Charmion, followed by what was, per-
chance, the shadow of pity for my fall.
Now that yon brawling charlatan," said
Dellius, pointing at me with his jeweled
finger, s'hath been rebuked, grant me
leave, o Egypt, to thank thee from the
heart for these gentle words"
eve ask no thanks from thee, noble
Dellius; nor lies it in thy mouth to
chide our servant broke in Cleopatra,
frowning heavily; tive will take thanks
from the lips of Antony alone. Get thee to
thy master, and say to him that ere he can
make ready fitting welcome our keels
shall follow in the track of thine. And
find some small token of our bounty"
Dellius bowed thrice and withdrew
while the court stood waiting the Queens
word. And ], too, waited, wondering if she
would yet make good her promise and name
me Roysl Spouse there in the faceof Egypt,
But naught she said. Only still frowning
heavily, she rose and. followed by the guards,
left the throne and passed into the Alahas-
ter Hall. Then the court broke up, and as
the lords and councillors went by they
looked on me with mockery. For though
none knew all my secret nor how it stood
'twixt me and Cleopatra, yet were they
jealous of tie favor shown me by the
Queen, and rejoiced greatly at my fall.
But I took no heed of their hooking as
stood dazed with misery and felt the world
of Hope slip from meath my feet
fro BE CONTINUED