The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-05

nics and each wearing upon his arms and legs light manacles of beaten gold. "The come, the slaves!' said Sale menes bitterly the slaves led by the monarch subject to his slaves" By the side of Sardanapalaus walked beauti- full Ionian girl, Myrrah, who had been taken captive in one of the forays made fby an Assyrian general upon the Gre {, clan isles. Myrrah was of wonderful 1 beauty and for some time had been l the special favorite of the King, he having signaled her out from all the other women as "one the King delight 1 ed to honor.p The high Grecian spirit | of Myrrah had at first revolted at the attentions of Sardanapalus-but the girl had come to love the King and now was his constant companion. Fate ana the chances of war had brought these two together-and they loved. Let the pavilion over the Euphrates be deck ed with flowers and lighted and furnished forth for banquet,' said Sardanapalus, turning to some of the court officers who accompanied him as he entered the hall. We will have an GSD6Cldl pduQutL lHcIc at lfio lOuI Ol midnight. See that nothing is wanting. And prepare the galley immediately; there is cool breeze crisping the broad, clear river tonight. I will embark at once. Fair nymphs who deign to share the softer hours of Sardanapalus, we will meet again at midnight when we shall gather like the stars above us and you will form a galaxy as bright as theirs. Till then let each be mistress Myrrah," continued he, putting one arm around the girl and looking into her eyes, will you go with me in the galley or stay with them?" My lord. my life" said Myrrah, looking up into the eyes of the King, the Kings choice is mine" Tt is the curse of Kings to be thus ans wered,'' replied Sardanapalus. Come. rule thine hours--thou rulest mine" T will with thee them said Myrrah q have no happiness save in ,beholding thine. Yet--'
 Yet, what yet"
 q think this is the hour of council It is better that retire and that your majesty"
 "The Ionian slave says well," cried a storn, harsh voice, and Salemenes strode forth from the shadow of a winged sphinx where he had stood to watch the entrance of the court and confronted the King.
 "Ah, how now, brother?" said Sar- 1 1, ,,o ,1ol,,u rtla ad bu tho cta,,, ,.,oo. and the stern voice of the general
 rho Queens brother and your most faithful sassa!, sire,''' replied Salem enes. r
 Sardanapalus saw that he was In for enc of those lectures which. whenever the opportunity presented, his joyless brother -in-law was wont to read hin, and waved the court away with, "Till midnight then-in the pavilion over the Euphrates."
 Myrrah turned to follow the others, but the King said, .Myrrah. thought you would remain?'' f.
 Sire. your brother" stammered Myrrah.
 His consort's brother, minion of Iona!' cried salemenes ''dare you name me and not blush?"
 Myrrah covered her face with her hands asd the tears trickled through her fin gers.
 The King angrlly turned upon the gen eral and said sternly, Cursed be he who caused these tears to flow"
 "Curse not yourself' answered Sale menes, millions do that already"
 Make me not remember that T am a monarch"
 would you could remember it."
 My sovereign" said Myrrah, break ink in on the angry altercation, and you. too, Prince, permit me to depart
 well, go.'' said sardanapalus, but recollect that we must meet again soon. I'd rather lose an empire than your pres cnce.'' s,a.s. {. .
 AS Myrrah disappeared, with bo~ei