The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-05-16

with emeraldS ana coral, ana IN one hand
she held the holy symbol Of life (crux ansa.
ta) fashioned of crystal, and in the other
the golden rod Of royalty. Her breast was
bare, but under was garment that glis-
tened like the scaly covering of snake,
everywhere sewn with gems. Beneath this
robe was skirt of golden cloth, half hid by
a scarf of the broidered silk OF Cos, falling
in folds even to the sandals that fastened
with great pearls, adorned her white and
tiny feet
All this discerned at glance, as 1t
were. Then l looked upon the face-that
face which seducea Cesar, ruined Egypt
and was doomed to give Augustus the
scepter of the world. l looked upon the
flawless Grecian features, the rounded chin,
the full, rich lips, the chiseled nostrils and
the ears fashioned like delicate shells.
saw the forehead, low, broad and lovely, the
crisped, dark hair falling in heavy waves
that sparkled in the sun, the arched eye
brows and the long bent lashes. There be-
fore me was the grandeur Of her imperial
shape. There burnt the wonderful eyes,
hued like the Cyprian vlolet--eyes that
seemed to sleep and brood on secret things
as night broods upon the desert, and yet as
III
by CLEANS of sudden splendor born within
their starry depths. All those wonders l
saw though / have small skill in telling
them. But even then | knew that it was
not in these charms alone that the
might of Cleopatra's beauty lay. Rath-
er was it in a glory and radi-
ance cast through the fleshy covering
from the fierce soul within. For she was
Thing of flame like unto which no woman
hath ever been nor ever will be, Even when
she brooded, the fire of her quick heart
shone through her. But when she woke,
and the lightning leapt suddenly from her
eyes and the passion-laden music of her
spesch chimed upon her lips, an then who
can tell how Cleopatra seemed? For in her
met all the splendors that have been given
to woman for her glory, and all the genius
which man has drawn from Heaven. And
with them dwelt every evil OF that greater
sort which fearing nothing and making a
mock of laws, hath taken empires for its
place of play, and, smiling, watered the
growth of its desires with the rich blood
of men. In her breast they gathered, to-
gether fashioning that Cleopatra whom no
man may draw, and yet whom no man, hay
ing seen, ever can forget. They fashioned
her grand as the Spirit of Storm, lovely as
Lightning, cruel as Pestilence, yet with a
heart; and what she did is known Woe to
the world when such another comes TO curse
it,
For moment met Cleopatra's eyes as
she idly bent herself to find the tumult 5
cause. At first they were somber ana darlz,as
though they saw, indeed, but the brain read
naught. Then they awolle, and their very
color seemed to change as the color
of the sea changes when the water is
shaken. First, there was anger written in
them; next, an idle noting; then when she
looked upon the huge bulk ofthe man whom
| had overcome, and knew him for the
gladiator, something, perchance, that was
not far from wonder. At the least they
softened, though, indeed, her face changed
not wit But he who would read Cleo
patra's mind had need TO watch her eyes,
for her countenance varied but little,
Turning, she said some words to her guards.
They came forward and led me to her,
while all the multitude waited silently to
see me STAN.
| stood before her, my arms folded on my
breast. Overcome though ! was by the
wonder OF her loneliness, hated III my
heart, this woman who dared to clothe her.
self in the dress OF Isis-this usurper who
sat upon my throne, this wanton sGuander
ing the wealth Of Egypt in chariots and
perfumes When she had looked mo over
from the head to the feet she spake In 8
low full voice and in the tongue Of khcmi
which she alone had learned of al the Lag
lda:
"And who and what art thou, Egyptian
for Egyptian see thou art--who darest Il
smlto my slave when make progress
through my cityW
II am Harmachis," answered, boldly
"Harmachis the astrooger, adopted son o.
the High Priest aud Governor Of Abouthis
who am come hither to seek my fortune
] smotc thy slave, o Queen, because for NJ
fault he struck down the woman yonder
Ask of those who saw, Royal Egypt"
"Harmachis |" she said "the name hail
high southland thou hast high look.
And then speaking to a solder who haC
seen all, she babe him tell her what hat
come to pass. This he did truthfuily, being
friendly disposed toward me, because hat
overcome the Nubian. Thereon she turnet
and spoke with the girl bearing the fan VIII
stood beside her--a woman having curling
hair and shy, dark eyes, very beautiful L
see The girl answered somewhat. Thel
Cleopatra babe them bring the slave to her
So they led forwa. d the giant, who ha,
found his breath again, and with HIM tn
woman whom he had smitten down.
Thou dog" she said, in the same loT
voice; "thou cowardl who, being strong
didst smitc down this woman, and, being
coward, vast ovcrthrown of this young man
See, thou, l will teach thee manners
Henceforth, when thou smitest women,
shall be with thy left arm. Ho, guards
seize this black coward aud strike off hi
right hand"
And her command given, she sank bac
in her golden chariot, and again the clou
gathered in her eyes. But the guard
seized tho giant and, Notwithstanding hi
cries and prayers fo- mercy, struck of HI
hand with sword upon the wood of til
scaffolding, and he was carried away groau
ing. Then the procession moved on again
AS it went tho fair woman with the IA
turned her head, caught my eye, and smile
and nodded as though she rejoiced, wherea
l wondered somewhat.
The people cheered also and made jests
saying that should soon practice astrolog
in the palace. But as soon as we might
and my uncle escaped, and made our wa
back to the house. All tho while he rate
me for my rashness: but when we cam
within the chamber of the house he en-
braced me and rejoiced greatly, bccaus
|, with so little hurt to myself had over
thrown the giant
CHAPTER TX.
OF THE COMING OF CHARMIoN. AND OF TIL
WRATH OF sEPA
SSA:s:l!l H l.. .., e, might tnnn Will