The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-05-12

do Is 0e1ghGeu at the prospect, re-
joined Tepelpec. ''Tll wager no Katun
feast was ever graced by such beauty
as Leila. The god looks hungry, too,
methinks."
"Har' calculated Chalpa. ''Fifty-two
years Of fasting would make even Chalcu
hungry. 1t comes all too rarely, this
feast. It should occur every twenty
years. But he will feast well and nobly!
Is everything prepared"
Everything, although the victim is
far from feeling disposed to go willing
ly. She will not drink the sacred aitsi.
and fear that she will make us trouble
to the last"
Perhaps" replied Chalpa with a grin
full of triumph and hate. ''But go she
shall; quietly if she will, or in our tender
hands if she is unruly. And the people
are they quiet, think your"
'sToo quiet; fear there is a strong
undercurrent 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-I
have heard word or two now and then
that seemed ominous."
''By CEalcu, would like to hear such
world 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
''I speak to no one," answered Tepel-
pee, ''but to you. From you, I think,
need conceal nothing. We, 1 hope, I'M
derstand one another. I 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"
t'You dogr' cried Chalpa, ''do you
dare to think that would cheat in this
solemn and fearful duty?"
''Pray talk not of duty, dear father;
here, alone, we need conceal nothing.
am not your s1aveI I 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, I
admire you, and am proud to aid you
in your plans"
Chalpa, pale with rage, sprang upon
the smaller nR1, seized him by the
throat and shoG8 him as a terrier shakes
rat.
Miserable son of a polecat, thy driv-
! elings bespeak thee an idiot! have a
mind to kill you now at Chalcu's feet!''
Tepelpec's eyes and tongue were pro-
truding when Chalpa cast him loose,
and he staggered for few moments.
''Kill me, Chalpa," he cried, ''aye, and
in one hour the people will know how
you swindled them! They will see the
crafty Chalpa in new light, as one who
seeks his private ends in 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 is a person, " Tepelpec went on,
''who knows it all and has the proofs.
IL L o1SdppSel1 1O ID 4l1SGI uCGSO W pun
! lish the truth Immediately. So, my
| father, when you kill me you merely
| pull the whole edifce 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 we'll. You need faithful
trustworthy accomplice in the game you
are playing, for you cannot carry things
with such a 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 unconcern, he
exclaimed:
$50, friend, you play the spy upon me!
Well, so be it; know then that I will
stick at nothing to win the place and
power I 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
Everything is ready and awaiting
only your orders. Kulcan, Iklapel and
Jan-ila are confined, as you commanded,
in separate rooms in the temple. The
old man is obdurate; he swears we have
killed Quetzal, 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 She water together and cease to
vex usy'
''The maiden is at the house of hel
grandmother, old Intzu, whom I have
commanded to prepare her for her fate
Sheis naughty and will not speak to me
1 visited her but now, but saw her not
Still she is well guarded by men armed
with Quetzars axes. We can thank him
for that blessing"
81 will talk with her." said Chalpa
his eyes lighting with a steely glitter il
the gloom. 'She will listen to me
Harkl What was that?''
It was a slight noise that made both
start, caused by Listah, who, returning
a1Onor fha raSSaOo stumbled over 8