The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-06-13
ter Hail, of whic

columns of black Marble we stayed For
beyond was the private chamber of Cleo
patra, even the same wherein had seen her
sleeping.
abide thou here" she said, "while tell
Cleopatra o: thy coming" and heglided
from my side.
For long stood, mayhap in all for half an
hour, counting my own heart beats and, as
IN q dream, striving to gather up my
strength to that which lay before me.
At length came Charmion back, her head
held low and walking heavily.
Cleopatra waits thee" she said, 'pass
on, there is no guard.
Where do meet thee when what must
be done is doner' / asked, hoarsely.
Thou meetest me here, and then to
Paulus Be firm and prosper. Fare thee
well.n
And 80 l went; but at the curtain
turned suddenly, and there in the midst of
that lonely lamp-llt hall saw strange
sight. Far away, in such fashion TINT the
light struck full upon her, stood Charmion,
her head thrown back, her white arms out
stretched as though to clasp, and on her
girlish face stamp Of angpished passion
~ LOlI4LlO W DCuulA lliuCOQ i Sau NV
tell it'll For she believed that l. whom she
loved, was passing TO my death, s.ti1 this was
her last farewell TO me.
But Of this matter l knew naught; so
with another passing pangof wonderI drew
aside the curtains, gained the doorway and
stood within Cleopatra's chamber And
there, upon silkon couch at tho far end Of
the perfumed chamber, clad in wonderful
white attire rested Cleopatra. In her hand
was o jeWeled fan of ostrich plumes, where.
with she gently famed herself, and by her
side was her harp of ivory, and little table
whereon were figs and goblets and flask
of ruby-colored wine. Slowly drew near
through the soft, dim light to where in all
her glowing beauty lay the wonder of the
world. And, indeed, never have seen her
look so fair as she did upon that fatal night.
Couchcd in her amber cushions she seemed
to shine as a star on the twllight's glow.
From her hair and robes came perfume,
| from her bps fell music, and III her heaven
! ly eyes all lights changed and gathered as
| in the ominous opal's disk.
| And this was the woman whom / must
slay
| Slowly l drew near, bowling as came |;
but she took no heed. She lay there, and
the jeweled fan floated to ana fro like the
bright wing of some lowering bird.
At length l stood before her, and she
| glanced up, the ostrich plumes pressed
against her breast as though to hide its
beauty.
"What! friend art thou comet" she said
"Tis well; for / grew lonely here. Nay,
tits weary world We know so many
faces, and so few there are whom we love
! to see again. Well, stand not there so
mute, but be seated" And she pointed
with her fan to a alven chair that was
placed nigh to her feet.
Once more bowed and took the seat.
II have obeyed the Queens desire,'
said, land with much care and skill worked
out the lessons of the stars; and here Is the
rec ord OF my labor. If the Queen permits
! win expound it to her. And | rose, II
order that | might pass round the coucf
and, as she read, stab her in the back.
"Nay, Harmachis," she said quietly, ant
with a slow and lovely smile. "Bide thor
where thou art, and give me the writing
BY Scraps thy face is too comely for me
to wish to lose the sight of itr'
Checked in this my design, l could d.
naught but hand her the papyrus, thinking
to myself that as she read l would arise
suddenly and plunge the dagger TO hel
heart She took it, and, as she did so
touched my hand. Then she made pretens'
TO read But no word did she read, for
saw that her eyes were fixed upon me owe
the edge Of the scroll.
"Why placest thou thy hand within tn.
robep she asked presently; for, indeed,
clutched the dagger's hilt. SIS thy hear
stirredi"
N ca, o Queen" said, cit beats high
She gave no answer, but once more mad
pretense to read, and the while she watches
me.
took counsel with myself. How shout
do the hateful deedi II flung mysel
upon her now she would see me and screar
and struggle. Nay, l must wait chance.
1.-THE auguries are favorable, then, Han
machisl" she said at length, though thi
: she must have guessed at.
"Yes, o Queen" answered.
"'Tis WELL" and she cast the writing o
the marble. "The ships shall sail. For
good or bad, am weary Of weighin
chances"
This is a heavy matter, o Queen"
said. Il had wished to show upon whs
circumstance base my forecast"
"Nay, not so, Harmachis; have wearie
, Of the ways Of stars. Thou hast prophesiec
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