The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-05-23
i CLEOPATRA.
Being an Account Of the Fall and
Vengeance of Harmachis, the
Royal EGYPTIAN,
Is SET FORTH BY BIS OWN HAND.
BY H. RIDER HAGGARD,
Author OF "King Solomon's Mines"
"She," "Allan Quaternaain,"


Author OF "King solonon's Mines"
"She," "Allan Quaternlain,"
Etc, ETC., Etc.
are fair. To-day she noted them, and
twice she said she would she had asked
where that astrologer might be found, for
she held that an astrologer who could we'll
nigh STAY Nubian gladiator with his bare
hands must indeed be master of the stars.
/ answered her that would cause inquiry
to be made. So hearken, Royal Harmachis.
At midday Cleopatra sleeps in her inner
hall that looks over the gurdens TO the har-
Dor. AT that hour, then, VIII l meet thee
at the gates of the Palace, whittier come
thou boldly asking for the Lady Charmion.
! will make appointment for thee with
Cleopatra, so that she shall see thee alone
when she wakes, and the rest shall
be for thee, Harmachis. For much she
loves to play with the mysteries of magic,
and whole nights have known her stand
watching the stars and making pretense
to read them. And but lately hath she sent
away Dioscorides, the Physician, in that,
poor fooll he ventured on IL prophecy from
the conjunction of the stars that Cassius
would defeat Mark Antony. Thereon Cleo
patra dispatched to the General Allienus,
bidding him add the legions she had sent to
Syria to help Antony, to the army of Cas-
sius, whose victory, forsooth, was, accord
ing TO Dioscorides, written on the stars.
But, as it CHANGED, Antony beat Cassius
first and Brutus afterward, and so Dios-
corides hath departed, and now he lectures
for his bread on herbs in tha museum, and
hates the name of stars. Bat his place Is
empty, and thou shalt fill it; and then we
will work in secret and in the shadow of
the scepter. Ay, we will work Like the
worm at the heart of fruit till the time of
plucking comes, and on thy dagger's touch,
Royal cousin, the fabric of this Grecian
throne crumblcs to nothingness, and the
worm that rotted it bursts his servile COW
ering, and in the sight Of empires, spreads
his royal wings DER Egypt"
/ gazed at this strange girl once more as
tonished, and saw that her face was lit up
with such light as had never seen upon
the face Of woman.
"Ah!" broke in my uncle, who was
watching her, sab love To see thee so,
girl. There is the Charmion that l knew
and bred up-not the Court girl, whom l
love not draped in silks o, Cos and fra
in this mold -ay, stamp it with the fervid
zeal OF patriot faith, and thy reward shall
find thee. And now cover up that phame-
less dress of thine ond leave US, for it grows
late. Tomorrow shall Bartlachis come, as
thou hast said. And so, farewell'
Charmion bowed her head, and, turning,
wrapped her dari-huod pcplos around herr
then, taking my hand, she touched it with
her lips and without any further words She
weLt
"A strange womnn!' said Sspa, when she
had gone; "a most strange oman and un-
certain"
"Methought, my uncle" / said, "tha
itloI vast somewhat harsh with her."
"Ay,n he answered, shut not without {
cause. Look thou, HarmGchis, beware O.
this Charmion. She is too hayward, and,
fear me, may be led away. In truth, she is
very woman; and, like FESTIVE horse
will take the path that pleases her. Brair
she has, and IRE; and she loves our cause
but pray that the cause come not face Il
face with her desires, for what her heart il
set on that will she do-at any cost will sh'
lido IL. Therefore did brighten her now
while may; for who can know but tina
lshe will pass beyond mypoweri tell the
that in this one girls hand lie all our lives
land if she play us false, what then9 Alas
land alas that we must use such tools a
'thesel But it was needful; there was n
iother way; and yet misdoubt me. Ipra..
that it may be well; and still, at times,
fear my niece Characteristic Is too fair
and the blood Of youth runs too warm il
Those blue veins Of hers. Oh! woe to tn
cause that builds its strength upon won
am faith; for women, l say, are faithful