Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-09-05
"Have no fear" She said. 1.-The priests

''Have no 1ear," she said. ''The priest:
are harmless for you. You have escaped
them, and there's an end. Few have evol
come alive from their clutches before, and
he who does so is a wizard indeed. Fol
the rest, think that your God is stronger
than our gods, for surely he must have
cast his mantle over US when we lay yon,
der on the stone. All, Teule, to what have
you brought me that should live tc
doubt my gods! Aye, and to call upon the
foes Of my country for succor in your need
Believe me, had not done 1t for my OWL
sake since I would have died with your
kiss upon my lips and your word Of love
echoing in my ears, who now must live
knowing that these joys have passed from
me-"
"How SOP" answered. "What I have
said have said. Otomie, you would
have died with me, and you saved my life
by your wit In calling on the Spaniards.
Henceforth 1t Is yours, for there is nc
other woman In the world so tender and SO
brave, and I say 1t again, Otomie, my
wife, love you. Our blood has mingled
on the stone Of sacrifice, and there we
have kissed. Let these be our marriage
rites. Perhaps I have not long to live, but
till die ann yours, Otomie, my wife.
Thus spoke from the fullness OF my
heart, for my strength and courage were
shattered. Horror and loneliness had
taken hold Of me. But two things were
left to me In the world-my trust In Prov
idence and the love Of this woman, who
had dared 80 much for me. Therefore
forgot my troth and clung to her as
child to It's mother. Doubtless 1T was
wrong, but I will be bold to say that few
men so placed would have acted other,
wise. Moreover, I could not take back
the fateful words that had spoken on
the stone Of sacrifice. When I said them,
was expecting death indeed, but to re-
nounce them now that its shadow was
lifted from me, II only for little while,
would have been the aot Of coward. For
good or evil I had given myself to Monte
zums's daughter, and must abide by 1t
or be shamed. Still such was the noble
ness of this Indian lady that even then she
would not take me at my word. For q
little while she stood smiling sadly and
drawing lock of her long hair through
the hollow Of her hand. Then she spoke:
"You are not yourself, Teule, and ]
should be base indeed If made so solemn
q compact with one who does not know
what he sells. Yonder on the altar and
in q moment Of death you said that you
loved me, and doubtless 1t was true.
But now you have come back to life, and
say, lord, who set that golden ring upon
your hand, and what is written IN Its cir
clei Yet even If tho words ore true that
you have spoken and you love me little,
there Is one across the sea whom you love
better.
"That could bear, for my heart is fixed
on you alone among men, and at the least
you would be kind to me, and should
move in the sunlight Of your presence. But
having known the light, cannot live to
wander in the darkness. You do not un-
derstand. I fear that Tiff we were " I'd
you would weary of me as men do, ar
that memory would grow too strong fo:
you. Then by and by it might be possible
for you to find your way back across the
waters to your own land and your own
love, and so you would desert me, Teulo.
This is what I could not bear, Teule.
can forego you now, aye, and remain your
friend. But I cannot be put aside like a
dancing girl the companion of q month,
7, Montezuma's daughter, lady o. my
own land. Should you we'd me, it must
be ior life, Teule, and that is perhaps more
than you would wish to promise, though
you could kiss mo on yonder stone, and
there is blood fellowship between us, and
she glanced at tho red stain in the linen
robe that covered the wound upon her side.
'And now, Teule, leave you awhile,
that may find Guatemoc, If he still lives,
and others who, now that the strength OF
the priests is shattered, have power to pro-
tect you and advance you to honor. Think
then on all that have said and do not be
hasty to decide. Or would you make an
end at once and fly to the white men If
can find means of escape''
IT am too weary to fly anywhere, an
swered, sseven II I could. Moreover, for
get. M enemy is among the Spaniards,
he whom have sworn to kill therefore
his friends are my foes, and his foes my
friends. will not fly, Otomie."
"There you are wise," she said, for II
you come among the Teules that man will
murder you. By fair means or foul he will
murder you within day; I saw it in his
eyes. Now rest while seek your safety,
II there Is any safety in this blood stained
land"