The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-05-23

which Is the guard-house. ana mere my
uncle left me, breathing many prayers Tor
my safety and success. But / advanced
with an easy air 10 the gate, where was
roughly challenged by the Gallo sentries
and asked of my name, following and BUSH
ness. ! gave my name, Harlnachis the
astrologer, saying that my business was
with the Lady Charmion, the Queens lacy.
Thereon the man made as though TO let me
pass in, when Captain OF the Guard,
Roman named Paulus, came forward and
forbade it. Now, this Paulus was large
limb ID man, with woman 8 face and a
hand that shook from winc-bibbing. Never
theless, he knew me again.
"Why," he cried, in the Latin tongue, TO
one who came with hin, this IS The Fellow
who wrcstled yesterday with the Nubian
gladiator, that same who now bowls Tor his
lost hand underneath my window. Curses
on the black bruiel / had bet on him for
the gamesl | have backed HIM against
Caius, aud now he'll never fight again, and
| must lose my money, all through this
astrologer. What is it thou saycst-thou
hast business with the Lady Charmionl
Nay, then, that settles it. / Will not let
thee through. Fellow, / worship the Lady
Charm ion-ay, we all worship her, though
size gives US more slaps than signs. And
dost thou think that we will suffer an
aslroogcr with such eyes and such chest
as thine to cut in the game? By Bacchus,
mol She must come out TO keep the tryst,
for IN thou shalt not 90"
"Sir," l said, humbly and yet with dig
nifty, 81 pray that message may be sent
TO the Lady Charmion, for my business will
not brook delay"
'Ye Godsln answered the fool, "whom
have we here that he can not waits A
Caesar in disguise' Nay, be off-be off
if thou wouldst not learn how spear prick
feels behind"
"Nay," put in the other officer, abe is an
astrologer; make HIM prophecy mako him
play tricks"
"Ah,n cried the others who had sauntered
up, "let him show his art. If he is magi-
clan he can pass the gates, Paulus or no
Paulus."
Fright willingly, good sirsl" answered,
| for | saw no other means of entering.
wilt thou, my young and noble Lord"-
and addressed him who was with Paulus
-'suifer that look thee in the eyes2 Per-
chance | may read what is written there"
"Right,n said the youth; "but wish that
the Lady Charmion was the sorceress. l
would stare her out Of countenance, war
rant me-"
took him by the hand and gazed deep
into his eyes II see," | said, "a field Of
battle at night, and about it bodies stretched
among them is thy body, and hyena
tears at its throat. Most noble sir, thou
| shalt die of sword thrusts within a year"
by Bacchusl' said the youth, turning
! white to the gils, "thou art an ill-omened
| sorcererl" And nc SUNK off-shortly after
ward, as it CHANGED, to meet this very fate.
! For he was sent on service and slain in
Cyprus.
''Now for thee, great Captainl' said,
speaking to Psuus. 81 will show thee how
will pass those gates without thy leave
ay and draw thee through them after me.
Be pleased to fix thy princely gaze upon tho
point OF this wand iii my hand"
Beng urged thereto by his comrades, this
he did, not willingly; end llet him gaze till
ris e.-"s grow empty as anowl's eyes
in the sun. Then suddenly withdrew the
wand, aud, shifting my own countenance
into the place of it, seized him with my
will and stare, and beginning to turn round
and round, drew him after me, his face,
fierce and drawn, fixed, as it were almost
to7ny own. Then l slowly moved backward
till l had passed the gates, still drawing
him after me, and having passed, jerked
my head away. But he fell to the ground,
to rise wiping his brow and looking exceed
ingly foolish.
"Art thou content, most noble Captain"'
said. "Thou seest Ne have passed the
gates. Would any other noble sir here pres
ent wish that ! should show more of my
skill1''
"By Taranis, Lord of Thunder and all
the Gods of Olympus thrown in, mop
growled an old Centurion, Gaul named
Brennus, 81 like thee not, l say, The
man who could drag our Paulus through
those gates by the eve, as it were, is not q
man to play with. Paulus, too, who always
goes the way you don't want him-back-
ward, like an ass-PGulusl Why, sirrah,
thou must have woman in one eye and q
wine cup in the other, to draw our Paulus
thus"
At this moment the talk was broken, for,
coming down the marble walk, followed by
an armed slave, was Charmion herself. She
walked calm and careless, her hands folded
behind her and her eyes gazing at nothing
ness, as it were. But it was when Char
mion thus looked upon nothing that she saw
most And as she came the officers and
men OF the guard made way for her bowling
for, as learned afterward, this girl, next
to Cleopatra's self, welded more power
than any one about the palace.
"What is this tumult, Brennusw she
said, speaking to the Centurion, and max
ing as if she saw me not; "knowcst thor
not that the Queen sleeps at this hour, and
if she be awakened it is thou who mus
answer for it, and that dearlyl"
"Nay, Lady," said the Centurion, humbly
shut it is thus. We have here'-and hi
1erzed his thumb toward me-"a magician
of the most pestilent-um, / crave his par
don, of the very best sort, for he hath bu
Just now, only by placing his eyes close Il
the nose of the worthy Captain Paulus
dragged him, the said Paulus, through thu
gates that Paulus swore the magician
should not pass. By the same token, Lady
the magician says he has business with 20,
which grieves me for your sake"
Charmion turned and looked at me care
lessly. SAY, remember" she said; SAINT
so he hath-at least the Queen would SCI
his tricks; but if he can do none better
than cause q sot"-here she cast q glance o.
scorn at the wondering Paulus-'to follow
his nose through the gates he guards, h
had better 60 whence he came. Follow me
Sir Magician; aud for thee, Brennus, sa!
keep thy riotous crew more quiet. For thee
most honorable Psulus, get thee sober, ant
next time am asked for at the gates giv'
him who asks hearing" And with I