Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-04-27

the chief among them being old Bari,
Listahs wife, and by her help he fan
cied he could obtain 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 Jah-ila
and rubbed earth upon his face to darken
his complexion. and huckGng his re-
yolver upon him ascended the ladder.
Aza still sat motionless, probably in
sound sleep. in the doorway, but he eau
tlously ana s1lenJly closed Ine uour ni'o
as noiselessly climbed the next ladder
There were three stories to the temple,
each with its ladder, which creaked un-
der his weight as he climbed them. On
the top, at the sacred space wherein stood
the temple, he saw [klapel 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 hand upon his
shoulder. Then he started, for he recog-
nized Eric, and grasping his hand cried:
"Ah, my brotherl Itgives me strength
and hope to see you, although l knew
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. It is now Late"
eyes, it grows late; but, see, the peo-
pie crowd outdoors; they will not 60 to
their beds; they cannot Sleep
Call the better. ! can pass among
them unnoticed, for am going to Leila
to send her to Kulcan."
"It is a dangerous errand," said X
lapel.
"Not very. Even were l recognized !
don't think any man would stop me; !
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 the
| 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 q light
burned within; he halted, at loss how
to summon Bari forth, but at that mo-
ment Eliza, now large girl, came from
the spring with g jar of water upon her
head, and was about to enter the house
when he stopped her.
Maiden, is Bari, the wife Of Listah,
within2"
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 Bari
came out. There was pale crescent
moon low in the sky, and its light fell
upon her face as she looked at him with
: q frightened gaze he held up 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 e1-
claimed. II saw my husband today; he
need send me no such message. do
his bidding and no others"
"But you guard Leila, who is Chalpa's
victim, the sacrifice to the god"
"Aye, but Listah did not forbid me,
and it is my duty"
"But, think you, would Qustzal like
to see you preparing his bride for desth7
"He has gone and left her--his she
was, and he will protect her. I do no
wrong in thinking it." C5....
eyes, he will protec. her, and you
shall help him." he said, standing up be-
fore her and revealing his face. 'Do
not start am Quetzal. / have re-
turned, but it must not be known until
tomorrow. This you must do. Tell her
privately that she must ask Chalpa to
permit her to have one last conversation
with Kulcan before she dies. She must
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 him
to your dwelling, out beyond the city,
and is with him there, for he says he
will occupy that house himself here
after"
"The deuce he hasi" calculated Eric.
"That is cooll Very well, she must 60
there at once. Some of your women can
attend her, Of course, and conduct her
home on her return. But there is no
time to waste; she must go Immediate
ly; hasten now, but be cautious"
Before she could reach the door 1t
opened, and Leila came forth. Going
straight to Eric, she threw her arms
about his neck and said:
"My ownl Something told me you
were here. Blessed, true heart, to come
to me when l needed you SOP
He kissed her many times, hushing
her voice thus, and then said:
"You must go back at once. II you
are seen here it will ruin all Bari will
tell you for what came, and tomorrow
all the trouble will be ended. Have pa
tience and courage, my darling. Go into
the house now, dear, at once"
She obeyed silently. With one long
fond look she entered the house. Old
Bari followed her and closed the door
behind her.
CHAPTER XII.
IN THE HOUR OF NEED.
He stood there for moment looking