Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-10-10
CHAPTER XVII.
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O1leAL 1L4e <A~A -
THE ESCAPE.
Now Otomie put the rope off her neck,
and descending from the stool stood be-
fore Marina.
"You are Marina she said coldly and
proudly, "and you como to save US, you
who have brought ruin on the land that
bore you and have given thousands of her
children to death and shame and tormentf
Now, if I had my way, would have none
of your salvation-nay, would rather
save myself as I was about to do
Thus Otomie spoke, and never had she
looked more royal than In this moment
when she risked her last chance Of life
that she might pour out her scorn upon
ono whom she deemed traitress-no, one
who was q traitress, for had it not been
for Marina's wit and aid Cortes would
mover hayo conquered Anahuac. I trem-
bled as T heard her angry words, for, all
suffered notwithstanding, life still seemed
sweet to me, who 10 seconds ago, had stood
upon the verge of death.
Surely Marina would depart and leave
us to our doom. But it was not so. In
deed she shrank and trembled before
Otomie's contempt. They were q strange
contrast in their different loveliness rs they
stood face to face in the torture den, and IL
was strange also to see the spirit Of the lady
Of royal blood, Threatened as che was with o
shameful death or still more shameful life,
triumph ever the Indian girl whom today
fortune had set far above her as the stars.
'sSay, royal lady," asked Marina In her
gentle voice, "for what cause did you, II
tales are true, lie by the side Of yonder
white man upon the stone of sacrifoef"
because love him, Marina
tAnd for this same cause have I, Ma.
rina, laid my honor upon different altar;
for this same cause I have striven against
the children Of my people, because ! love
another such as he, 10 is for love of Cortes
that have aided Cortes; therefore desPise
me not, but let your love plead for mine
seeing that, to us women, love Is all
have sinned, know, but doubtless IN tbs
season my sin shall find fitting punish
ment."
''It had need be sharp" answered
Otomie my love has harmed none See
before you but one grain of the countless
harvest Of your own. In yonder chair
Guatemoc your king, was this day tor
tured by your master, Cortes, who sWore to
treat him with all honor. By his side sat
Teule, my husband and your friend. Him
Cortes gave over to his private enemy, De
Garcia, whom you name Sarceda. See how
he has left him. Nay, do not shuddcr,
gentle lady. Look now at his woundsl
Consider to what pass we are driven
when you find us about to die thus Ike
dogs he, my husband, that he may not
live to see me handled as he has been, and
with him because princess OF tho
Otomie and of Montczuma's blood cannot
submit to such shame while death has
one door through which to creep. 1t Is but
q single grain of your harvest, outcast and
traitoress, the harvest of misery and death
that is stored yonder in the ruins Of Te-
noctitlan Had 7 my will I tell you
that had sooner die o score Of times than
take help from hand so stained with the
blood of my people and of yours-1"--
"Oh, cease, lady, cease" groaned Ma
rina, covering her eyes with her hand, as
though the sight of Otomio were dreadful
to her. "What is done is done. Do not
add to my remorse. What did you Say
that you, the Lady Otomie, were brought
here to be tortured?"
''Even SO, and before my husbands
eyes, Why should Montezuma's daughter
and the princess Of the Otomie escape the
fate Of the emperor Of the AZtecs? If her
womanhood does not protect her, has she
anything to hope of her lost rank?'
ssCortes knows nothing Of this; swear
It," said Marina. ''To the rest he has been
driven by the clamor Of the soldiers, who
taunt him.with stealing treasure that ho
has never found. But Of this last wicked
ness he is innocent"
"Then Let him ask his tool Sarceda of
it,"
'sAs for Sarccda, promise you, prin-
cess, that if can will avenge this threat
upon him. But time is short. am come
hero with the knowledge Of Cortes to sec
If can win tho secret Of the treasure from
Teule, your husband, and for my friend
ships sake am about to betray my trust
and help him and you to fly. Do you re-
fuse my aid?'
Otomio said nothing, but I spoke for
the first timc.
s'Nay, Marina, T have no love for this
thief's fate if can escape 1t, but how is it
to be done2"
1.-THE chance is poor enough, Teule but
I bethought me that once out Of this
prison you might slip away disguised.
the most will not be keen to notice men
or things. See have brought you the
dress of Spanish soldier. Your skin Is
dark, and in the half light you might pass
as one, and for the princess your wife
have brought another dress. Indeed am
ashamed to offer 1t, but it Is the only one
that will not be noted at this hour; also,
Teulc, bring you sword, that which
was taken from you, though I think that
once it had another owner"
Now while she spoke Marina undid her
bundle, and there in 1t were the dresses
and the sword, the same that bad taken
from the Spaniard Diaz in the massacre
of the noche triste First she drew out tho
wonan's robo and handed 1t to Otomie,
and I saw that it was such robe as
among the Indians Is worn by the women
who follow camps, q robe with red and
yellow In it. Otomie saw 1t also md drew
back
''Surelv, girl, you have brought gar
ment of your own in error" she said quiet
", but in such fashion as showed more
Of tho savage heart that is native to her
race than she often suffered to be seen.
TAT the least cannot wear such robes.
''It seems that must bear too much"
answered Marina, growing wroth at last
and striving to keep back the tears that
started to her eyes. "I will away and leave
you," and she began to roll up her bundle
Forgive her, Marina" said hastily,
for the desire to escape grew on me every
minute. Sorrow has set an edge upon
her tongue" Then, turning to Otomio,
added: "I pray you bo more gentle, wife,
for my sake if not for you- own. Marina
is our only hope"
'Would that she had left us to die in
peace, husband. Well, SO be it, for your
sake I will put on these garments of
drab. But how shall we escape out of this
place and tho camp? Will the door bo
opened to US and the guards removed, and
If we pass them can you walk, husbandr
s'The doors will not be opened. lady,"
said Marina, "for those wait without who
will see that they arc locked when have
passed them. But there will be nothing to
fear from the guard-trust to me for 1t.