The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-03-10

1n6y IoIG InaG the evil goa naQ FALLEN
and bowed before his master, and that
his dread reign was ended
Asingle glance convinced Gilbert that
the disaster to the evil deity was the re-
suit of lack of care in the construction
of the masonry of the pedestal. The fire
which burned upon it before the image
had in some manner weakened the
plaster that held the stones together, and
the weighty idol had forced them apart
at very opportune moment. 1t did not
need very bright intellect to see the
force of the event and the impression it
had left, as well as the beneficial result
to all concerned. One of their idols, and
by all odds the most hideous, was pros
trate, and although he had no very
strong religious scruples, and wished to
establish no particular form of worship,
he felt that it was good beginning.
Already, as he walked about, he had
begun to plan means of elevating the
people and rendering their condition
more in accordance with the times in
which they dwelt.
Here he stood, man of the telephone
phonograph-electric era, among a peo-
pie Of the stone age, his mind stored full
of scientific and mechanical facts, the
simplest of which would be miracle to
these crude yet evidently intelligent
barbarians. He perceived that they had
books, letters and records perhaps, yet
they ground their meal by hand while a
swift stream was flowing by their door
a2?d wasting its valuable power unno-
ticed.
Here was occupation and amusement
at once; he had no ties to bind han to
the outer world, and he could, he
thought, at any rate return thither when
he desired at any time; he had no near
relatives to mourn his absence or seek
for him in his retirement. Then, too,
he could write book about these peo-
pie after he had learned their language,
traditions and social conditions. The
prospect began to be pleasant; he saw
the future city with its water wheels
turning merrily, grinding the yellow
corn and pumping the water up into the
irrigating channels and pipes-aye, and
his mind roved on until he saw electric
lights, telephone wires and newspaper
offices. Then the reaction came, and he
laughed to himself at his folly. But he
saw that there were not even chimneys
to the houses, nor glass to the windows,
and he resolved to place them there.
All this time he had held Eltza's little
hand, and she had walked with him. In
truth, the child had unwittingly led him
to the different images and other points
of interest, for she, too, was alone today,
and desired to see, before her grand
mother began to search for her, all the
new and strange sights which her short
stature prevented her from observing
when in the procession. The people by
this time had ceased to gather around
the two, and they surveyed them from a
distance. They recognized their Wis,
itor's desire to see everything in his new
abode, and with delicate tact they re-
Trained from pressing their attentions
upon him. In fact many of them had
returned to their houses, confident thai
the god would remain with them, and
that they could see him on the morrow
and for many days thereafter.
Kulcan and few of the other priests
had followed him at respectful dis
lance, more from natural ignorance Of
their proper duties, under the circum
stances, than from curiosity.
This thought occurred to Gilbert, an6
he dismissed them with a polite gesture
which was readily understood and &C
knowledged.
The others, too, took the hint, and he
was left with the child, standing before
the altar of Chalchuitli, the goddess Of
love, the Atzlan Venus.
It stood at the corner of a projecting
building, and was buried in flowers, it,
yellow face shining out with satisfied
and apparently intoxicated leer which
made Gilbert smile.
The child, too, smiled, and said some
thing in her own language, pointing tt
the idol and then to Gilbert, who, APP
pretending, shook his head merrily
whereat the child laughed again.
Her ringing laughter caught the ca,
of one who had been eagerly searching
for her for an hour. It was Leila, who
unaware that Eliza was with th
stranger, came quickly around the cor
ner with a glad cry.
Erect, lovely, her fair hair blowing IL
gracious ripples from her broad, nobl,
forehead, she was truly a sight to maxi
mans heart stir Within him. At TIT
sight of Gilbert she stopped shOrt, stand
ing as though about to turn and flee
She had not seen his face until this mo
ment, and as his eyes met hers, full o
surprise and admiration, IL warm blusl
rushed into her cheeks and neck, he
bosom showed its heaving beneath tn
thin gown, and her eyes, SO softly ten
der at all times, fell beneath his gaze.
He removed his hat, and with bow
of deepest respect and homage to sucl
wondrous beauty and grace presented
the child, saying, pardon me if 1 hav
prevented her returning to you, but he
company was so agreeable 1 had com
pletely forgotten the time"
Wasted words. Yet how sweetly tn
music of his voice, so low and tender
fell upon her ears in that unknown god
tongue!
She trembled with a new, strang
/ fear, and hastily, with downcast eyes
reached forth her hand for EItza's; bu
in doing so it brushed against his with
velvety touch that sent a rushing thrill
through the bodies of each, touchin.
their two hearts cores with an electri
contact.
She raised her eyes to his with on
straight, pure glance, and taking tn
child's hand hurried away, leaving hin
standing there, with his sol nbrero in hi
| hand, in a day dream.