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

He rapidly scanned his chances of get
ting to her. Jan-ila informed him that
she was in charge of several old women,
the chief among them being old Bari,
Listah's wife, and by her help he fan
cied he could obtai-i access to his be-
trothed. The plan perfected. the next
thing was to act.
After unfolding his scheme to the 9th
ers he exchanged garments with Jan-ila
and rubbed earth upon his face to darken
his complexion, and buckling his re-
volver upon him assembled the ladder.
AZa still sat 1notionless, probably in
sound sleep, in the doorway, but he eau
! tiously and silently closed the door and
as noiselessly climbed the next ladder.
! There were three stories to the temple,
each with its ladder, which creaked I'M
der his weight as he climbed them. On
the top. at the sacred space wherein stood
the temple, he saw Iklapel standing mo-
tionless. The old priest seemed lost in
meditation, but he heard the sound Of
an approaching visitor and yet turned
not until Eric laid a hand upon his
! shoulder. Then he started, for he recog-
nized Eric, and grasping his hand cried:
"Ah, my brotherl 1t gives me strength
| dn0 AOR0 W OOO JOdS cS4IAlOOSA ! hGO"
] you were safe.
eyes, safe, dear friend, and we will
crush this rattlesnake, Chalpa, forever
ere tomorrow's sun sets. am going to
send word to Kulcan to be firm and
yield nothing to Chalpa, and think we
are going to come out victors even more
easily than you expect. Chalpa is the
one man we need bother about. When
he is out of the way the rest may be
managed. But. old friend, you must
take some rest, for you will need your
strength tomorrow. 1t is now late
eyes, it grows late; but, see. the peo-
pie crowd outdoors; they will not go to
their beds; they cannot sleep"
''All the better. can pass among
them unnoticed, for am going to Leila
to send her to Kulcan."
at is a dangerous Grand" said TX
lapel.
"Not very. Even were recognized l
don't think any man would stop me: 1
carry many lives in my hand, Iklapel,
and they know it. But go to bed and
sleep, for we are SAFE"
He went down the broad, graded de-
scent and reached the ground unob-
served. There was nobody near the tenn
pie; the priests were busy preparing for
the festival on the morrow or about to
seek rest. Farther on the people sat in
groups about their doors or upon tie
lower range of roofs. Those among
whom he passed glanced at him, but
Jan-ila's blanket was close up about his
ears, and they did not recognize him. He
reached Lela's door and saw that a light
burned within; he halted, at a loss how
to summon Bari forth, but at that mo-
ment Eliza, now large girl, came from
the spring with a jar of water upon her
head, and was about to enter the house
when he stopped her.
Maiden, is Bari, the wife Of Listah,
within?"
eyes," she answered, looking sharply
at him, but not knowing him, for his
face was strange to her and dark.
"Tell her. child, that one is here with
message from Listah, who would see
her at once"
She went in, and in moment old Bar
came out. There was a pale crescent
moon low in the sky, and it's light fell
upon her face as she looked at him with
frightened gaze. He held up a warn
ing finger as he stopped to hide his
height.
Bari. do not speak; come from Lis
tab to ask you whether you are still his
wife and friend or Chalpa's SLAYER
"Why. what mean your she ex
claimed. II saw my husband today; he
need send me no such message. l dc
his bidding and no others"
"But you guard Leila, who is Cha1pa'l
victim, the sacrifice to the god!'
/, | -, 4
and it is my duty"
''But, think you, would Quetzal like
to see you preparing his bride for death?'
HE has gone and left her-his she
: was, and he will protect her. l do NJ
wrong in thinking it,"
eyes, he will protect her, and yoT
shall help him" he said. standing up be
fore her and revealing his face. "DC
not start am Quetzal. l have re
turned, but it must not be known unit
} tomorrow. This you must do. Tell hel
privately that she must ask Chalpa Il
} permit her to have one last conversation
, with Kulcan before she dies. She mus
go to Chalpa's house, where her brother
} is confined, and tell him am here and
will smite the rattlesnake tomorrow
Tell him to yield not. nor be discour
{ aged, for he Will be safe"
"Kulcan is not at Chalpa's house,
: said Bari. ''The priest has taken hin
to your dwelling, out beyond the city
| and is with him there, for he says h,
l will occupy that house himself here
3 after"
1.-THE deuce he hasP' calculated Eric
{ ''That is coolI Very well, she must g
. there at once. Some of your women cal
4 attend her, of course, and conduct he
3 home on her return. But there is n,
S time to waste; she must go immediate
ly; hasten now, but be cautious"
D Before she could reach the door i
Q opened, and Leila came forth. Goinl
{ straight to Eric, she threw her arm
: about his neck and said:
D ''My owni Something told me you
] were here. Blessed. true heart, to COM
0 to me when needed you soF'
= He kissed her many times, hushin,
s her voice thus, and then said:
Q ssYou must go back at once. If yol
aEe seen here it viii ruin ali. Bari vii
: tall you for what came, and tomorrow
5 all the trouble win be ended. Have pa
!, thence and courage, my darling. Go int
{ the house now, dear, at once"
: She Obeyea silently. With one Ion
81