IX—Early Morning Triumphs Over the Green-eyed God Cleopatra had an unconscio aleut for making men jealous, In her owe ud anal fa" the world, She Cleopatra felt that povsion dering her soothe ing. this jealousy the'
many 0 soma, and then' ty one hehe of the hor Bie tucky, had single grande 9 of Antony, th auch sentences she generally, menage was early morning and the bright sunshine made-patterns on the floor of Cleopatra's dressing, room. Ste had had very little sleep, but, nevertheless, was up early, partly because she had some important matters to attend to during the day and partly through uncanny premonition that trouble was brewing.
Trouble ever awaiting a little encouragement knocked at the door with the well-known of Antony. 'The queen was nibbling' fon figs at the time, She had had refreshing bath in the square marble basin with steps leading down its four sides and trickling' fountain in the centre. She felt capable of coping with almost any trouble which the fates might, devise. Optimism,- if rare with her in the early' mornings, was intensified whenever it occurred.
"Go and see what it is," said the queen to Charmian, The latter was not in a very good humour; she saw no point whatever in these early morning prowlings of the Jqueen, who should have stayed in' bed for another three or four hours at least, considering the time last ight's entertainment had finished.
At the entrance, Antony, dressed mistress up yet? the an-
Antony waited, pacing the pavements in the entrance courtyard of Cleopatra's boudoir.
"Tell him to come in, Charmian," the queen replied when the girl had warned her that My Lord manner, was; inquiring for her, "And then' you to bed and get some the "queen advised Charmian.
When Antony entered the handsome apartment, the queen rose and started across the long room to meet him, "You are carly this morning," she said in a tone of interrogation.
couldn't sleep," Antony replied shortly. "Look here," be burst forth, as the queen put her arm through his and drew him over to a shaded window seat overlooking the garden, "I've come to have it out with you about this young Searus, Ts a pity if T can't have nice Roman lads about as my. Lieutenants without your going out of your way to night was a Antony's voice grew louder as discourse progressed. "How do you suppose I felt secing you ogling that youngster all evening. The whole assembly noticed it, and now, this morning when T tell Searus that I have arranged for him to go ack to Rome next week, be fiatly refuses to go. What have you to say to that?"
Characteristically at such ments, Cleopatra had nothing to say. She went over toa ight backed marble bench, modelled after the chairs of Rome, and sat down, From bearances she might have be Mother of the Gracchi as she.sat there, But Antony was not to be betrayed into weakness, He strode over to her and stood a few fect away, looking her squarely between the eyes.
"Can you think of any reason why Scarus: feels he neod not return to Rome at my command?" he demanded in the Trium "None whatever, "The only thing I can think of at the present moment is that you are forgetting your manners" rather abominably."
Really," sneered Antony, "I suppose there is no point in my telling you that Scarus intimated that he had your patronage, not to mention promises, when he refused do as T ordered." 4
"Dear me," the queen sighed in patient way. "You would order was only necessary to let we matter rest" until you have spoken with me."
{suppose you can explain everything," burst. forth the irate Roman. And he was unprepared for Cleopatra's winsomeness as feame up to him and put her arms about his neck. "Of course T can," Am T to be given a chance?" And of course she, was to be given a chanco as Antony Sradvally relaxed from his furies, They sat down on.the marble bench. "'Scarus," said the queen, "has been worrying me for days.
terribly sorry for him as he's a dear boy really, if frightfully young. But it was brought to my Attention—oh, a long time ago—that he didn't approve of me. seems that he told Enobarbu told Tras, that 1 would eve be the cause of your losing' out in ne. or words to that off "The young scoundrel Antony.
wasn't his fault at queen continued. "But thowglt in justice to both of us T should cultivate him until he got to know me better. Now that ho doos, ho is more devoted than ever you, milord." Cleopatra paused for moment, "But of course, the unfortunate part of it is that he has fallen in love with. me."
"Exactly," said Antony, angered now, "and you have been leading him on. T knew it; I saw it perfectly well last night. Well, suppose you send him a note" this morning asking him to undertake fan errand for you in Rome."
Cleopatra made a funny tittle noise in her throat, Her victory without its triumph, Tt had hit a snag. She found young Searus decidedly" amusing with all his idealistic notions about her royal self, and she felt that Antony wax being unreasonable. However, characteristically pliable manner, she agreed with him and said that the note would be sent. "Mean. while, Antony dear, "she demanded, "shall we breakfast out on th Which they did However, did not go back to Rome.—Jill O'Lantern,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.