The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-05-19

mo hope for you or your sister if you
maintain that spirit Of disdain," Chalpa
answered; ''but there is hope" he con-
tinued after pause, eff you will do my
will. love you both right weII. If
did not you would have shared the fate
of-that is, you would not be here now
to know my clemency and tenderness at
this late hour"
Brother" interrupted Leila as he w4s
about to answer, her soft voice full Of
pleading, 'listen and be not rebellious.
Chalpa holds out hope to us. Let us
hear him.
eyes, hold out hope and safety for
you both" Chalpa said somewhat eager
". ST do not desire your blood can
avert your doom if you viii do my will.
Obey me and you both are saved, for be-
lieVe me, before the sun sets tomorrow
the thirty priests will have not only your
sisters but your blood poured out upon
the altar"
"Oh, horribler' cried Leila, covering
her face. "Spare him, Chalpai Take
my life, but let not his blood be shed.
Remember he is the last of our family"
81 remember it only too WELL" an
swered Chalpa.
''He shall be spared if you will. You
your lips tonight"
She looked amazed; new fear smote
her. What design had entered this cruel
priests mind? She knew no way TO
avert her fate apart from Gilberfs
strong hand, and yet he seemed to offer
her safety dependent upon her own viii.
Eric had crept softly to the door and
heard every word. An inkling of Chal-
pas purpose flashed into his mind; he
smiled as he thought OF the priests
helpless position. One step and he was
lost as he stood proffering help to those
two doomed ones. There was silence
awhile; then Leila said in low voice:
"What can do to save him2"
"Can you not guess? Have you not
seen these many months that my soul
seeks yours-that love you as no man
ever lovedP'
She drew away from him with startled
eyes.
"Ah," he continued, ''you must know
that wish you to be my wife. When
Quetzal was here did not seek you, for
knew he was but dsluding you. Now
he is gone; he will never return, and
love you still, faithfully, truly, forever.
Will you be mine? Say yes and you
shall be saved and Kulcan also"
'And if say mo-? she asked.
sThen," said the priest, ''you will both
| die. No power on earth can save you.
Not even Quetzel can help you now, tor
he is deadg'
''No, not deadF' she cried, then closed
her lips and trembled for fear that she
had said too much.
eyes, dead; he cannot save you. Give
me your answer now. Can you not see
how am tortured with love for you"
'Can you not give me time-until to-
morrow
'tThat will be too late; you must de-
eide nowi" he answered, his face work
ing convulsively and his eyes blazing
for he thought he saw signs of her sub
mission in those downcast eyes.
"What does my brother say?" she
asked, turning to him. ''Shall Isave you
and myself thusT'
''He has no voice in the matterw Chal'
pa cried savagely. SIT is in your hands.
Kulcan looked calmly at him. eff she
consents, can you save us? Or can you
even save me2 How avert the anger OF
the people when they are robbed of theil
sacrifice. How appease the priests who
wish to keep the ancient custom intact
Have you the power to do all this and
not suffer?
''Aye and moreI Ny priests will obey
me, and the people will be only too glad
to abolish the sacrifice"
"Then why kill us2 Let US go and
try to make my sister love you for YOU
clemency and forbearance rather thar
by this dreadful alternative"
''No! This is my answerT cried Leila
"I would rather die than be loved By
you; rather go to the altar than bC
touched by you. Yes, rather die by you
hand than be caressed by it, or feel you
dreadful snakes eyes upon my faceP
ChaIpa recoiled; then with the mos
bitter rage in his face he sprang to
ward her. Selling her In his arms, a.
Kulcan vainly struggled to break hi
bonds, he held her before her brother.
'See, fool, what you have done!" b,
shrieked. Had you pleaded with he
you and she would have lived and beef
honored. Now she is mine, and die yoI
shall, but not before she knows my hate
See this fair throat, SO soft and white
It shall feel the knife tomorrow, AMI
you"-
His hand was raised to strike tn
white throat and bosom when Fri
dashed into the room and sprang to her
Chalpa fell away from him, releasing
her, and she rushed to Eric's arms. Tn
priests face blanched TO an olive tint, ant
his eyes started from their sockets as b
stared at the apparition Of him who's
body lay deep in the flooded tunnel
where he had thought it would lie foE
ever undiscovered. He gasped for breath
His knees smote together, and his lips
drawn apart over his chattering teeth
trembIed and turned ashen.- Eric stOo'
there looking sternly at him, although
the fright of the wretch was almost ludi
crous, and as he covered against tn
wall In his terror Eric said:
! 'sCha1cu has brave servant, and ye
he helps him not. Chalcu's servant seem
not SO brave as when last saw him
Has his god deserted him that he COW
ers before a false god2 Have his wit
deserted the nimble cheater with th
the dice that he trembles 50? BE VII
fears not to defraud a whole natio
seems to lose his courage before On
man. Coward and fooIi thief and traftoa
the dogs Of the city shall despise thes
! the children shall spit upon thee an