The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-07-25


the eunuch to sojourn awhile behind us, as
in truth we had. So we sailed, and the
gems, with such Of the ornaments OF gold
as we could bring hither, we hid away.
Four days and more we spent In coming
to Alexandria, for the wind was for the
most part against US; and they were happy
daysl At first, indeed. cleopatra was
somewhat silent and heavy at heart, for
what she had seen and felt in the womb Of
the pyramid weighed her down. But soon
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,
beanteous 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 Nile. There
we sat and talked of love, talked of our
marriage and all that we would do. Also
drew upplans of war and of defense against
the Roman, which now we had the means
to carry out; and she approved them,
sweetly saying that what seemed good to
me was good to her And so all too swiftly
passed the days those nights upon the
Nile their memory haunts me Yeti Dead
are those dear nights, dead is the moon
chat lit them and lost in the wide salt sea
are the waters which rocked us on their
breastl For all things end in darkness and
ashes, and those who sow in folly shall reap
in sorrow All! those nights upon the Nilei
And so, at length, once more we stood
within the walls of that fair palace on the
Lochias, and the dream was done.
"Whither hast thou wandered with Cleo
patra, Harmachiss" ASKED Charmion of ma
when met her by chance on that day OF
return. con some new mission of betrayal
or was it but love jourlcyn
II went with Cleopatra upon secret bust.
ness Of the State" l answered, sternly.
$50 those who go secretly, go evllly; and
foul birds love to Fly at night. Not but what
thou art wise, for scarce would it beseem
thee, Harinachis, 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 word without
stingP asked. "Know, then, that went
whittier thou hadst never dared to go; to
gather means to hold Egypt from the grasp
of Antony"
"Sol" 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 hast
thou to-day in Egypt"
SIN my despite that he may do; but in de-
spite of Cleopatra that he can not do" l
said.
"Nay, but with the aid of Cleopatra he
can and viii do it" 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, a
slave!"
at is fGlsel 1 say that it is false! Cleo
patra goes not to Tarsus, and Antony
comes not to Alexandria; or, ii he come,
twill be to take the chlnce OF war"
"Now, thinkest thou thus?" she an
swered, with a little laugh "Well, if it
please thee, think as thou wilt. Within
three days thou shalt know Ills pretty
TO see how easily thou art fooled Fare
well! Go, dream on Love, for surely Love
is sweet"
And she went leaving me angored and
I troubled at heart.
That day l saw Cleopatra no more, but
on tho day which followed saw her. She
was in heavy mood, and had no gentle
I word for me. IspalSe to her Of the defense
OF Egypt, but she put tho matter away.
"Why dost thou weary me9' she sad,
with anger; "canst thou not see that | am
lost in troublesl When Dellus hath had
his answer, then will we speak of these
matters"
say" said "when Dellius hath had his
answer; and knowest thou that but yester-
day Charmion-whom about the palace
they name the keeper of the Queens
Charmion did swear that tho an
swer would be: Go in peace; come to
Antonyp"
"Naught knows Charmion Of my heart, "
said Cleopatra, stamping her foot IN anger,
sand 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 councillcrs-ay, and
moro wit to use It, Knowest thou that |
have sold portion Of those gems to the rlch
Jews of Alexandria, and at great price,
",
But 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
they grew with avarice and wonder. And
now leave me, Harmachs, for am weary.
The memory Of that dread night is with the
yet"
l bowed and rose to SO, and yet stood
waveriag
pardon me, Cleopatra; it's of our mar.
rage
"uur marriage! Why, are we not indeed
already wedW she answered.
YVES, but not before the world. Thou
dds, promise"
SAY, Harmachis, I did promise, aud to
morrow, when have rid me of this Dellius
will keep my promise and name thee Cleo
patras Lord before the court. See that
thou art in thy place, Art contentp
And she stretched out her hand for ne to
kiss, looking on me with strange eyes, rs
though she struggled with herself Then
went, but that night once more / strovc Il
sec Cleopatra and could not. ''1he Lady
ru'ioa was with the Queen" so said the
AS, and none might enter.
4 the morrow the court met in the great
one hour before midday, and thither ]
I'd with trembling heart to hear Cleo
i.trs's answer to Dellius and TO hear myself
so made King consort to the Queen of
Egypt 1t was full and splendid court;
there were councillors, lords, captains,
eunuchs and waiting women-all save Char.
mion. The hour passed, but Cleopatra and
Charnion came not. At length Charmion
entered gently by side entrance and took
her place among the waiting ladies about
the throne. Even as she did so she cast a