Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-01-09


within the walls of that fair palace on the
Lochias, and the dream was done.
"W hither hast thou wandered with Cleo
patra, Harmachisa" asked Charmion of ma
when met her by chance on that day Of
return. 'On some new mission of betrayali
or was it but a love Journeys"
II went with Cleopatra upon secret bust.
ness Of the State" / answered, sternIy
$50 those who go secretly, go evilly; and
foul birds love to fly at night. Not but what
thou art wise, fer scarce would it beseem
thee, Harmachis, 10 show thy face in
Egypt"
heard, and felt my passion rise within
me; for Ill could 1 bear this fair girls scorn.
Hast thou never a word without
stinga" asked. know, then, that went
whittier thou hadst never dared to go; to
gather means to hold Egypt from the grasp
of Antony
''So!" she answered, looking up swiftly
"Thou foolish man! Better hadst thou done
to save thy labor, for Antony will grasp
Egypt In thy despite. What power has.
thou to-day in Egypts''
SIN my despite that he may do; but In de-
spite OF Cleopatra that he can not do," /
said.
NAY, but with the aid Of Cleopatra no
can and will do It,f' she answered, with a
bitter smile. when the Queen sails in
state up Cydnus' stream she will surely
draw this coarse Antony thence to Alex
andria, conquering, and yet, like thee, q
slave.''
'It is false! say that it is falsel Cleo
patra goes not to Tarsus, and Antony
comes not to Alexandria; or, if he come,
twill be to take the chance of war;
''Now, thinkest thou thuss'' she On.
swered, with little laugh. "Well, II it
please thee, think as thou wilt. Within
three days thou shalt know. 'Tis pretty
to see how easily thou art fooled. Fare
WE'LL Go, dream on Love, for surely Love
Is SWEET
And she went, leaving me angered and
troubled at heart.
That day saw Cleopatra no more, but
on the day which followed 1 saw her. Sho
was in a heavy mood, and had no gentle
word for me. spake to her Of the defense
of Egypt, but she put the matter away.
''Why dost thou weary me." she said,
with anger; .'canst thou not see that ! am
lost in troublesa When Dellius hath had
his answer, then will we speak of these
matters"
"Ay," said, when Dellius hath had his
answer; and knowest thou that but yestef-
day Charmion-whom about the palace
they name the keeper Of the Queens
secrets'-Charmion did swear that the an
swer would be: go in peace; come to
Antonyp"
s'Naught knows Charmion Of my heart -
said Cleopatra, stamping her foot in anger,
land if she talk so freely the girl shall be
scourged from out my court, as is her de-
sert. Though, in TRUTH" she added, ''she
hath more wisdom in that small head OF
hers than all my privy councillors-ay, and
more wit to use 1t. Knowest thou that
have sold portion of those gems to the rich
Jews Of Alexandria, and at great price,
ay, at five thousand sestertia for each one.
But few, in truth, for more they could not
buy as vet. Twas rare to see their eyes
when they fell upon them-large as apples
| they grew with avarice and wonder. And
| now leave me, Harmachis, for am weary.
The memory of that dread night is with me
YETI
! I bowed and rose to 20, and yet stood
wavering.
| pardon me- Cleopatra; tits of our mar.
riage."
'sOur marriage! Why, are we not indeed
already weds" she answered.
"Yes, but not before the world. Thou
didst promise"
| SAY, Harmachis, did promise, and to-
| morrow, when have rid me of this Dellius,
! will keep my promise and name thee Cleo
| patra's Lord before the court. See that
| thou art in thy place. Art contents"
| And she stretched out her hand for me to
| kiss, looking on me with strange eyes, as
though she struggled with herself. Then
| went, but that night once more I strove to
see Cleopatra and could not. 1.-THE Lady
Charmion was with the Queen" 80 said the
eunuchs, and none might enter.
| On the morrow the court met in the great
hall one hour before midday, and thither
went with a trembling heart to hear Cleo
| patra's answer to Dellius and to hear myself
also made King consort to the Queen OF
Egypt. It was q full and splendid court;
there were councillors, lords, captains,
eunuchs and waiting women-all save Char
mion. The hour passed, but Cleopatra and
| Charmion came not. At length Charmiou
entered gently by a side entrance and tool
her place among the waiting ladies about
the throne Even as she did SO she cast q