Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-04-26
copyright, 1891, by Edgar W. Nye.l

Her wealth of wonderful hair foated
out behind her over the water hike
magnificent mantle. Cleopatra was regal
even when bereft of her royal robes, and
those who happened to be riding by on
thecars while she was in swimming were
forced to admit that even shucked she
was still a queen. She swan to and fro
sometimes treading water with her
cherubic feet or scooting dog fashion
like a beautiful water bug across the
rond Now she would seem to sleep on
the surface of the waters like slumber-
ing lily, and then anon she would rise
from her wet environments like Venus
rising TO point Of order in the conven-
ton at Mount Olympus.
Suddenly Cleopatra utters a sharp and
startled cry, as did Diana when surprised
by Action. Through the foliage she had
seen the earnest and somewhat admirlng
eye of a total stranger 1t was that OF
Meiamoun, the wretched lover OF the
queen, who had never met her, but who
was n great admirer and constant reader
He was from the middle walks Of life,
md did not know much, but, oh, how he
did seem to lay aside what other business
he had on hand and worship the magnih-
cent woman who, as these lines are
penned, slid softly into the all embracing
waters like beauteous muskrat!
Her startled cry brought to the bank
her two armed eunuchs, who had been
frogging farther down the stream. Cleo
patra pointed out TO them the clump oil
trees behind which Meiamoun was con
cealed. Defense was useless, and so he
attempted none. He said that he wa
sorry such thing should have occurred
but he would try to avoid anything OF
the kind in the future.
IL was indeed a coarse thing to do
She told him distinctly that it was NJ
way to do, aud asked him II he were no
ashamed Of himself.
Quickly covering herself with her cali
siris. she babe the eunuchs spare the lif,
Of the rash young man and bring mil
before her. They done 50. The queer
could not understand why he should hav
come. at the risk of his life, where nj
man was admitted upon penalty of death
Surely he had not come to steal he
clothes and hide them just to chaff he
nibs. for she had still other clothe
which were yet good, besides quite 10
that could be made over and still Loo
real well.
No, he must be an assassin hired b
bloodthirsty Rome to steal in upon he
and kill her. But his clear, honest ey
and trembling lip told story of trut
and of a heart at once pure and sweet.
MAY my soul be found light in q
balance Of Amenti," he said, 'and ma
Imei, daughter of the Sun and Goddei
of Truth. punish me If | ever entertalne
thought of evil against you, o queen
Saying this upon his knees, Meiamou
wept and tried to bite the dust, but h
nose seemed to be in the way.
He was fine looking young man,
Cleopatra saw at glance, Of great n
bility of character, and a little less neaN
set, perhaps, than Antony was. /
said he came of a common set Of Poop
living back Of town, and had Just bong
n milk route Of his father, which
thought was going TO be a goo1 thing
time. il he could sort Of build it up al
extend it little. "Of course it Is n
the life to which you have been acct
toned" he said; ''your folks have alwa
been well off. | know, and you ma
never had to put your hands into dis
water or scald millVpans or wean caiN
from the parent stem. but Hove you We
much, indeed. very much, indeed. '
will have TO live plain at first, but 8
a steady young person and have aire''
this year accumulated eight dollars.
forty years this would, as you will 3
amount to $500. My folks like you,
say that you would make me good W
If you Studded down little. Do n
obi do not refuse me" he said. 1.-The 4
hance people will soon be on top, an
am almost sure that | will be at so
time overseer Of highways at Ou- pla
which is a. good as two dollars
lust for working on the roads In Ju
which il dull tune with MS anyw