The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-05-18

great court and the afternoon was near
" spent when he again repaired to the
temple. He felt that to be the only place
where he could consistently claim hab-
itation, yet he climbed the causeway
with something of the feelings Of an i'm
poster.
There were several priests there with
Iklapel and Kulcan, and they were evil
IDENTIFY waiting for Gilberts return, ush-
ering him into the small chamber with
profound obeisance.
He entered and found 1t prepared for
occupation by the addition of the usual
Atzlan furniture, consisting Of a few
gaudy striped blankets hanging over a
beam suspended from the rafters, and
large bearskin, evidently an ancient and
greatly cherished object, spread upon
the floor over bed of clean rushes.
There was no fireplace in this room, as
was usually the case, and the walls We're
of pure and refreshing whiteness. 1t
had window on each side, and was an
exceedingly pleasant apartment indeed
aside from the luxury of its gold and
silver exterior.
Gilbert felt that his lines had fallen
in pleasant places as the priests retired
and left him alone.
The unexpected developments of the
day had changed the course of the festi-
val, and the great feast had been forgot
ten; quiet, peaceful sense Of relief and
thankfulness filled all hearts, the deeply
religious among the people feeling
hushed into solemn gladness by the days
events, and discussing with much awe
the overthrow of Chalcu, the thunder
GUS coming of Quetzal and the peaceful
future SO full Of blessings that lay be-
fore them, and when the night settled
down upon the city they sought their
beds with calm sense of security
brooding over them in the presence of
the fair god.
Gilbert, too, went to his couch with
somewhat the same thankful spirit in
his heart.
He awoke on the following morning
with that confused feeling that comes
Oh awakening in strange place strong
upon him, and as he lay on his bear
skin robe he let his thoughts run over
the events of the preceding day. In the
realization of his peculiar position there
was uppermost in his mind the idea that
he had been placed there to accomplish
good. The thought of Pierces fate
troubled him but slightly, for he knew
that the balloon, lightened of fully two
thirds of its weight, would rise and
probably convey him safely over the
mountain range into more habitable
and populous regions.
In the future before him here he saw
the opportunity not only Of study, but
for the exercise of his varied talents.
The first duty, he knew, would be to
master the language, and as he was a
finished and remarkable linguist he ap-
pretended little difficulty in that direc-
ton. Beyond that the widest, widest
range of possibilities, verging even upon
the ridiculous, asserted themselves.
Then there crept over his thoughts a
memory. dim at first, growing stronger
momentarily, of dream that had Wis
tied his slumber during the night, and
1t unfolded itself before him, gathering
form and details, as some dreams do, the
longer one dwells upon them. In it was
a vision Of fair, sweet face with blue
eyes-the face he had seen in the even
ing-and he felt little suggestion of the
strange, tender thrill again.
Although he was thirty, and, he
thought, had been so madly in love
again and again that he was familiar
with the Aassion, yet that wild thrill
was a new and weird sensation, He
felt it tingling through him as he unused.
and he wondered at it in dreamy wav
as man might look back upon an ex
pertinent in opium smoking or hasheesh
eating-as sort of curious study in new
emotions or feelings. A close student of
men and of nature, as we'll as of science
ne knew but little after all of women,
and had yet to witness the power Of
loves strong passion in pure womanss
heart.
de rose and looked out the window.
The canyons depths were still black "a
night, but he heard the voices of the
shepherds as they drove out their fiocks
and some pale columns of blush smoke
were winding sinuously upward in the
still air, showing that life was stirring
In the strange city.
he went out and wandered along the
bank OF the winding river, where the
plnon orchards grew down to the waters
cage, and he saw the trout leap and rim
pie its calm surface Farther ON VOC
slight rapids, and he complacent,v so,
iected site for his mill with a fee1;no
OF enthusiasm.
There were deliciously picturesque
spots along the stream, shady nook,
Win velvety greensward and pro6.gal
with flowers unknown to him. for he
was not a botanist.
ne found he had wandered for ouite
q distance from the city by the time the
sun rose, and he returned more Inv.
riedly, with an appetite for breatfast
tnat ne hoped would be rewarded.
hulcan was at the temple when Gill
bert arrived, and had prepared a meal
for the guest. 1t was evident that ha
desired closer acquaintance. for he on
deavored to converse with the str.ns-
bringing all his knowledge to bea- o.
the task, but in vain. Gilbert. hovaver
relished his friendly intentions and ~
mined his pleasure by cheerful, amiab5a
smiles. '''"p'e
Beginning by pointing to various nh
1ects, with inquiring words and lools
the simple, aboriginal process of les-n
ing their names was begun at once. and
In few moments the two were incraas
ing their knowledge of each others Ian
guage, which was aftervard followed
up day by day until Gilbert had mas :,
tered the Atzlan tongue, and Kulcan
had acquired fair knowledge Of Eng
Hsh.
This was the beginning of their friend.
ship, afterward to be tested by a terrible
tEial ---- ---.- --''0