The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-07-20

her safety dependent upon her o~h "Ai.
Eric had crept softly to the door and
heard every word. An inkling OF Chai-
na.s nurpose 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 himy
"Can YOU not guess? Have you not
seen these many months that my soul
seeks yours-that l love you rs no man
ever lovedT
She drew away from him with startled
eyes.
All" he continued, You must know
that | wish YOU to be my wife. When
Ouetzal was here did not seek yon. for
| knew he was but deluding 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 il say nor she asked.
.Then," said the priest, "you will both
die. No power on earth can save you.
Not even Quetzel can help you now, for
he is dead"
mo, not deadr' 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 l am tortured with love for your
Can you not give me time-until to
morrow
THAT will be too late; you must de-
eide noww 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 sayY' she
asked, turning to him. Shall Isave you
and myself thusT'
HE has no voice in the matterr Chal-
pa cried savagely. 1T is in your hands.
Kulcan looked calmly at him. IF she
consents, can you save usf Or can you
even save me? How avert the anger of
the people when they are robbed Of their
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 your
by this dreadful alternative"
mo! This is my answer" cried Leila.
~ would rather die than be loved by
you; rather go to the altar than be
touched by you. Yes, rather die by your
hand than be caressed by it, or feel your
dreadful snakes eyes upon my facet"
Chalpa recoiled; then with the most
bitter rage in his face he sprang to-
ward her. Selling her in his arms, as
Kulcan vainly struggled to break his
bonds, he held her before her brother.
''See, fool, what you have done" he
shrieked. Had you pleaded with her
You and she would have lived and been
honored. Now she is mine, and die you
shall, but not before she knows my hatei
See this fair throat, 80 soft and whitel
1t shall feel the knife tomorrow, and
you
His hand was raised to strike the
white throat and bosom when Eric
dashed into the room and sprang to her,
Chalpa fell away from him, releasing
her, and she rushed to Eric's arms. The
priests face blanched to an olive tint, AID
his eyes started from their sockets as he
stared at the apparition of him whose
body lay deep in the flooded tunnel
where he had thought it would lie fo.
ever undiscovered. He gasped for breath.
His knees smote together, and his lips.
drawn apart over his chattering teeth.
trembled and turned ashen. Eric stood
there looking sternly at him. although
the fright of the wretch was almost ludi-
crous, and as he covered against the
wall in his terror Eric said:
"Chalcu has a brave servant. and vet
ne helps him not. Chalcu's servant seems
not SO brave as when l last saw him.
Has his god deserted him that he cow
ers before false god? Have his wits
deserted the nimble cheater with the
the dice that he trembles so! He who
fears not to detRSud a whole nation
seems to lose his courage before one
man. Coward and fooli thief and traitor,
the dogs OF the city shall despise thee.
the childre, shall spit upon thee and
drive thee into the desert, thou serpentyn
Inc words seemed to revive Chain.
de drew his breath again and began
70 move toward the door. with his ewes
liked upon Eric In an nnreasonin.
glare. The latter made no move 10
prevent him, thinking him completely
cowed. but the shock Of his appearance
nad dethroned Chalpa's reason. It was
madness that cleaned in HE eye now.
ana II was madman's act t.at NEXT fol.
lowed. As he reached the table I'm the
center OF the room he seized long iron
kni1e, and IN an instant sprang unon
ENC. kulcan's cry was Gilbert's wan.
ing, Tor ne had turned partly away. and
ne drew his revolver instantly, but the
saVage lunge made by Chalpa struck the
weapon. and it fell from his Rrasn.
lie saw the maddened eyes Hta +ho.
OF hungry wolf, before him and 10
struck at them. The blow sent the priest
Gear across the room. but he was Mt
Enc before he could gain his weapon
Another right hander-and one which in
Incs usual condition Of health wonld
nave nnished the battle-took him in fha
cneek and sent him to the floor. H;s
weapon cut into Eric's arm in its s.lI
put ne did not feel the wound. for h,
Diood was up. A third time the ,,r;a..
gained his feet and sprang at him. His
cneek had pulled up and his left eve wss
partly closed; his teeth ground in frsn.;c
.ase' he came at Eric more cautiously
WIN more deadly care, and made a half
circle before him. Gilbert daraa No.
s'oop Tor his pistol and stood prenared
70 strike with ali his strength, which he
felt was already waning. "
ITO BE CONTINUED
The CAuc.sr.v ;,1I