Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-20

and | fear that she will make us trouble
to the last"
Perhaps" replied Chalpa with grin
full of triumph and hate. But 20 she
shall; quietly if she will, or in our tender
hands if she is unruly. And the people
are they quiet, think Your
"Too quiet fear there is q strong
undorcurrent Of feeling against this
sacrifice which only needs stirring to
become an open protest. They seem to
| think that you have taken some unfair
advantage of the girl As Tepelpec
said this he cast quick, sly glance at
his superior.
Chalpa started and glared at his as
sistant:
What do you mean? Do you dare to
say He hesitated.
Nothing, father, nothing, only
have heard word or two now and then
that seemed ominous."
by Chalcu, would like to hear such
word! The lips that uttered it would
utter no more lies. And remember. keep
watch over your own tongue lest it slip
| and lead you to destruction"
Il speak to no one" answered Tepel-
pee, but to you. From you, / think,
need conceal nothing. We, hope, I'M
derstand one another. l know that you
have long desired to be revenged upon
the girl, and that you would hesitate at
nothing, my master, to accomplish your
| ends-even unfairness
you dog cried Chalpa "do you
dare to think that l would cheat in this
solemn and fearful duty"
pray talk not Of duty, dear father;
! here, alone, we need conceal nothing. |
am not your slave! | fear you not, and
dare tell you that think you most
admirable master of trickery, one who
would steal the snakes fangs from him
without his knowing it. Believe me,
admire you, and | am proud to aid you
III your plans"
Chalpa, pale with rage, sprang upon
the smaller Ii a., seized him by the
throat and shot,S him as IL terrier shakes
rat.
Miserable son of a polecat, thy driv-
elings bespeak thee an idiot! l have a
mind to kill you now at Chalcu's feet!'
! Tepelpecs eyes and tongue We're pro-
!
and he staggered for few moments.
Kill me, Chalpa,' be cried. AYE, and
III one hour the people will know how
| you swindlcd them. They will see the
crafty Chalpa i'll Il new light as one who
seeks his private ends IL their public
matters, who takes their maidens to the
feet of the god because they will not
! love him, who juggles with the sacred
! dice and with such solemn mien tricks
the simple worshipers. All, they will
relish learning how they have been de-
ceived"
Chalpa stood thunderstruck; such eff
frontery he knew, Of course, was backed
by knowledge of his evil ways.
There + a person" Tepelpec went on,
''who knows it all and has the proofs.
If | disappear he is instructed to pub
fish the truth Immediately. SO, nv
father, when You kill me you merely
pull the whole ediiice of fraud down
upon your wise head. You will not be
so foolish. No, you will cherish Tepel-
pee as your aid and assistant, who can
help you well. You need a faithful,
trustworthy accomplice i'll the game you
are playing, for you cannot carry things
with such high hand against the peo-
pie as you did against Quetzal-they are
too many. Iklapel and Kulcan have
many friends-they will not all believe
so readily our story that we saw Quetzal
go up the cliff and disappear. They will
suspect you perhaps, and you need help
to deceive them"
Eric could see that Chalpa was con-
founded. Full of veXation, he hung be-
tween his wrath and his fear for awhile.
Then, assuming an air Of unconceln, he
exclaimed:
$50, friend, you play the spy upon me!
Well, 50 be il; know then that | will
stick at nothing TO win the place and
power ! covet You can help me, and
you shall be repaid. Let us now hasten,
for tomorrow is the day That will make,
or mar our fortunes
"EveYything is ready and awaiting
only yOur orders. Kulcan, Iklapel and
Jan-ila are confined, as you commanded.
i'll separate rooms in the temple. The
old man is obdurate; he swears we have
killed Quet2al, but Kulcan may yet
yield to save his precious life
The cruel, hungry smile crossed Chal-
pas face.
He will not save it even then, the
coward! | am sorry did not place him
beside the false Quetzal; they would lie
beneath the water together and cease to
vex us"
The maiden is at the house of her
grandmother, old lnt2u, whom / have
commanded TO prepare her for her fate.
She is naughty and will not speak to me-
! visited her but now, but saw her not.
Still she is well guarded by men armed
with Quetzal's axes. We can thans him
for that blessing"
Il will talk with her" said Chalpa
his eyes lighting with Il steely glitter III
the gloom. "She viii listen to me.
Hank! What was that!'
1t was slight noise that made both
start, caused by Listah, who, returning
along the PASSAGE stumbled eoyer: