San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-03-02

". 81 do not desire your blood can
avert your doom if you will do my will.
Obey me and you both are saved, for be-
lieve me, before the sun sets tomorrow
the thirty priests will have not only your
sisters but your blood poured out upon
the altar"
"Oh, horrible!" cried Leila, covering
her face. Spare him, Chalpa! Take
my life, but let not his blood be shed.
Remember he is the last of our family"
Il remember it only too WE'LL" an
swered Chalpa.
"But why Stay him?' she pleaded.
'He shall be spared if you will. You
hold his life as we'll as your own upon
your lips tonight!'
She looked amazed; a new fear smote
her. What design had entered this cruel
priests mind? She knew no way to
avert her fate apart from Gilbert's
strong hand, and yet he seemed to offer
her safety dependent upon her own will.
Eric had crept softly to the door and
heard every word. An inkling of Chal-
pas purpose 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 him."
"Can you not guess? Have you not
seen these many months that my soul
seeks yours-that love you as no man
ever lOved?'
She drew away from him with startled
eyes.
"Ah," he continued, you must know
that | wish Won to be my wife. When
Quetzal was here did not seek you. for
knew he was but deluding you. Now
he is gone: he will never return, and
love you still, faithfully, truly, forever.
Will You I've mine: Say yes and you
shall be saved and Kulcan also"
And if ! say no. 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
"No, not dead" she cried. then closed
her lips and trembled for fear that she
had said too much.
"Yes. dead: he cannot save you. Give
me your answer now. Can you not see
how am tortured with love for you:'
Can YOU not give me time-until to-
morrow
THAT will be too late; you must de-
eide now" 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 say" she
asked, turning to him. Shall save you
and myself thus
He has no voice in the NATTER Ch8l-
pa cried savagely. cit is in your hands. ;"
Kulcan looked calmly at him. IF she
consents, can you save us? 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 more! My priests will obey
me, and the people will be only too glad
to abolish the sacrifice"
"Then why kill us? Let us 90 and
try to make my sister love you for your
clemency and forbearance rather than
by this dreadful alternative"
"No! This is my answer" cried Leila.
81 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 facev
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 hate!
See this fair throat, so soft and white!
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. and
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 for.
ever undiscovered. Hegasped for breath
His knees snOte together, and his lips
drawn apart over his chattering teeth
trembled and turned ashen. Eric stood
there looking sternIy at him. although
the fright of the wretch was almost Iudi
crOus, and as he covered against the
wall in his terror Eric said.