The Iola register., 1890-05-09

| what she had seen and felt in the womb o.
the pyramid weighed her down. But soor
her imperial spirit awoke and shook the
burden from her breast and she became
herself again-now gay, now learned; now
loving and now cold; now queenly and now
altogether simple-ever changing as the
winds OF heaven, and, as the heaven, deep,
beauteous and unsearchablel
Night after night for those four unhappy
nights, the last happy hours ever was to
know, we sat hand in hand upon the deck
and heard the waters lap the vessels side,
and watched the soft football of the moon
as she trod the depths of the NIie. There
we sat and talked of love, talked of our
marriage and all that we would do. Also
drew up plans of war and of defense against
| the Roman, which now we had the means
to carry out: and she approved them,
| sweeuy saying that what seemed good to
me was good to her. And SO all too swiftly
passed the days. y those nights upon the
Nile their memory haunts me yeti Dead
are those dear nights, dead is the moon
that Lit them and lost in the wide salt sea
are the waters which rocked us on their
breastt For all things end in darkness and
ashes, and those who sow in folly shall reap
in sorrow. All those nights upon the Nile !
And so, at length, once more we stood
within the walls of that fair palace on the
Lochas, and the dream was done.
"Whither hast thou wandered with Cleo
patra, Harmachisl" asked Charmion of me
when met her by chance on that day of
return. 'On some new mission of betrayala
or was it but love journeym
II went with Cleopatra upon secret busi-
ness of the State" 1 answered, sternly.
80 those who go secretly, go evilly; and
foul birds love to fly at night. Not but what
thou art wise, for scarce would it beseem
thee, Harmachis, to show thy face in
Egypt"
heard, and felt my passion rise within
me; for Ill could bear this fair girls scorn.
"Hast thou never a word without q
stingl" asked. "Know, then, that went
whittier thou hadst never dared to go; to
gather means to hold Egypt from the grasp
of Antony"
"Son she answered, looking up swiftly.
''Thou foolish mani Better hadst thou done
to save thy labor, for Antony will grasp
Egypt in thy despite. What power hast
thou to-day in Egypt!"
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 he
can and will do It." she answered, with
bitter smile. "When the Queen sails in
state up Cydnus' stream she will surely
draw this coarse Antony thence Is Alex
andria, conQuering, and yet, like thee,
slave"
''It is falsel 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 thusl" she an
swered, with a little laugh. swell, if it
please thee, think as thou wilt. Within
three days thou shalt know. 'Tis pretty
to see how easily thou art fooled. Fare
welll Go, dream on Love, for surely Love
is sweet"
And she went, leaving me angered and
troubled at heart.
That day 1 saw Cleopatra no more, but
on the day which followed / saw her. She
was in 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 mel'' she SAID,
with anger; ''canst thou not see that am
lost in troubles9 When Dellius hath had
his answer, then will we speak of these
matters"
cay" said, ''when Dellius hath had his
answer; and knowest thou that but yester-
day Oharmion-whom about the palace
they name the keeper of the Queens
did swear that the an
swer would be: go in peace; L come to
"Naught knows Charmion of my heart, /"
said Cleopatra, stamping her foot in anger,
sand if she talk so freely the girl shall be
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 it. Knowest thou that |
have sold portion of those gems to the rich |
Jews of Alexandria, and at a great price, !
Az, at five thousand sestertia for each one. |
But a few, in truth, for more they could not |
buy as yet. Twas rare to see their eyes |
when they fell upon them-large as apples |