The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-10-03
New Series-VOl. XIV. No. TO.

"Stin some have seen you, and it is re-
ported that you are my wife, -
ut is likely enough" she answered,
'sfor it was known throughout the Aztec
hosts, and such secrets cannot be kept
But why have they treated you thus? Be
cause you fought against themP'
"Are we alone?'' asked.
sThe guard is without, but there is
none else in the chamber"
''Then bend down your head, and will
tell you,'' and I told her all.
When had done SO, she sprang up with
flashing eyes, and her hand pressed upon
her breast and said:
"Oh, if loved you before, now love
you more If that is possible, who could
suffer thus horribly and yet be faithful to
the fallen and your oath! Blessed be the
day when first I looked upon your face,
O my husband, most true of men! But
they who could do this-what of them?
Still it is done with, and I will nurse you
back to health. Surely it is done with,
or they had not suffered me to come to
you.''
"Alas, Otomie, I must tell all-it is not
done with, - and with faltering voice
went on with the tale-yes, and since
must told her for what purpose she had
been brought here. She listened without
word, though her lips turned pale.
stTruly,' she said when had done,
''these Teules far surpass the pabas OF our
people, for If the priests torture and sacri-
fee it is to the gods and not for gold and
secret hate. Now, husband, what is your
counsel? Surely You have some counsel" :"
s.I have none that dare offer, wife,
groaned.
t'You are tilnid as girl who will not
utter the love she burns to tell, F" Otom1e
answered, with proud and bitter laugh.
''Well, will speak it for you. 1t is in
your mind that we must die tonight. !"
"It is,'' I said. "Death now, or shame
and agony tomorrow, and then death at
last, that is our choice. Since God will not
protect us, we must protect ourselves II
we can find the means. -
t'God! There is no God At times
have doubted the gods of my people and
turned to yours. Now I renounce and re-
ject him. II there were God Of mercy
such as you cling to, could he suffer that
such things be? You are my god, hus-
band. To you and for you I pray, and you
alone Let us have done now with plead
ing to those who are not, or who, II they
live, are deaf to our cries and blind to our
misery, and befriend ourselves. Yonder
lies rope; that window has bars; very soon
we can be beyond the sun and the cruelty
of Teules or sound asleep. But there is
time yet. Let us talk awhile. They Will
scarcely begin their torments before the
dawn, and ere dawn we shall be far"
So we talked as well as my sufer1ngs
would allow. We talked Of how we first
had met; Of how Otomie had been vowed
to me as the wife of Tezcat, soul Of the
world; of that day when we had lain side
by side upon the stone of sacrifice; Of our
true marriage thereafter; Of the siege OF
Tenoctitlan and the death Of our frstborn.
Thus we talked till midnight was two
hours gone; then there came silence.
Husband, - said Otonie at last in
hushel and solemn voice, you are worn
with suffering, and am weary. 1t IS
time to do that which must be done. SAD
is our fate, but at least rest is before us.
thank you, husband, for your gentleness.
| I thank you more for your faithfulness
to my house and people. Shall I make
ready for our last journey"
MAKE ready!'' answered.
Then she rose and soon was busy with
the ropes. At length all was prepared,
and the moment Of death was at hand
.eYou must aid me, Otomie, y said. II
cannot walk by myself
She came and lifted me with her strong
and tender arms till I stood upon stool
beneath the window bars. There she
placed the rope about my throat; then tax