Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-10-10
CHAPTER XVII.
THE ESCAPE.

"You are Marina" she said coldly and
proudly, land 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 mono
of your salvation-nay, I would rather
save myself rs I was about to do. +"
Thus Otomic spoke, and never had she
looked more royal than in this moment
when she Iislled hcr last chance Of life
that she might pour out her scorn upon
ono whom she deemed traitrcss-no, one
who was a traitrcss, for had it not been
for NIarina's wit and aid Cortes would
mover havo conquered Anahuac. trcm-
blcd rs heard her angry words, for, all
suffered Notwithstanding, life still seemed
sweet to mo, who, 10 seconds ago, had STOOD
upon the verge of death.
Surely Marina would depart end leave
us to our doom. But it was not so. In
deed she shrank and trelnbled before
Otomie's contempt. They We're a strange
contrast in their different loveliness as 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 she was with
shameful death or still more shameful life,
triumph over the Indian girl whom today
fortune had set far above her as the stars.
ssSay, royal lady" asked Marina in her
gentle voice, ''for what cause did you, II
tales are true, lilo by tho side Of yonder
white man upon the stone of sacrifice"
because / love him, Marina
"And for this same cause have !, 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 It 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, 7 know, but doubtless IN tbs
season my sin shall find fitting punish
ment"
'sIt had need be sharp" answered
Otomie. My love has harmed none Sec
before you but one grain of tho countless
harvest of your own. In yonder chair
Guatemoc, your king, was this day tor
turcd by your master, Cortes, who sworc to
treat him with all honor. BY his side sat
Tculc my husband and your friend. Him
Cortcs gave over to his private enemy, De
Garcia, whom you Eamc Sarceda Sec how
he has left him. Nay do not shuddcr,
Consider TO what pass we are driven
when you find us about to die thus Eko
dogs, he, my husband, that he may not
live to sec me handled as he has been, and
I with him because princess OF tho
Otomic and of MontCZUma'S blood CANNOT
submit to such Il shame while death has
one door through which to creep. 1t Is but
single grain OF your harvest, outcast ana
traitoress, the harvest Of misery and death
that is stored yonder in the ruins Of Te-
noctitlan. Had I my will 1 tell you
that had sooner die q score OF times than
take help from u hand so stained with tho
blood OF my people and Of yours-1'---
ooh, cease lady, cease" groancd Ma
rina, covering her eyes with her hand, as
though the sight of Otomic were dreadful
to her. '.What is done is done. Do not
add to my rcmorsc. What did you say
that you, the Lady Otomie, were brought
here to be torturcd:'
'Even so, and before my husbands
eyes. Why should Montezuma's daughter
and the princess of the Otomic escape tho
fate of the emperor Of the Aztecs? If her
womanhood docs not protect her, has sno
ANYTHING to hope OF her lost rank!''
''CortcS knows nothing Of this; swear
It," said Marina ITO the rest he has been
driven by the clamor Of the soldiers, who
taunt him with stealing treasure that he
has never found. But OF this last wicked
ness he IS innocent.
''Thcn let him ask his tool Sarceda of
it,"
''As for Sarccda, promise you, prin-
cess, that if can will avcngc this threat
upon him. Bat time is short. am como
hero with the knowledge Of Cortes to 500
if I can win the secret OF the treasure from
Teulc, your husband, and for my friend
ships sake am about to bctray my trust
and help him and you to fly. Do you re-
fuse my aid?'
Otomio said nothing, but spoke for
tho first time.
''Nay, Marina, I have no love for this
thicfs fate if can escape 1t, but how is it
to bo donef"
''Thc chance is poor enough, Teulc, but
I bcthought mo that once out of this
prison you might slip away disguised.
Few will be stirring at dawn, and of them
the most will not bo keen to notice men
or things. Sec, have brought you tho
dress of Spanish soldier. Your skin Is
dark, and in the half light you might pass
as one, and for the princess your wlfo
have brought another dress. Indeed am
ashamed to offer 1t, but 1t Is the only one
that will not bo noted at this hour; also,
Teulc, bring you q sword, that which
was taken from you, though think that
cnce it had another owner"
SOW while she spoke Marina undid her
bundle, and there in it were the dresses
and the sword, the samo that bad taken
from the Spaniard Diaz in tho massacre
of the nochc triste First she drew out tho
woman's rubo and handed 1t to Otomic,
and ] saw that it was such q robe as
among tho Indians is worn by tho women
who follow camps, robo with red and
yellow in it. Otomio saw 1t also md drew
back.
''Surcly, girl, you have brought gar
mcnt of your own in error," she said quiet
", but in such fashion as showed moro
Of the savage heart that is native to her
race than she often suffered to bc seen.
cat the least cannot wear such robes. "
''It seems that must bear too much,"
answered Marina, growing wroth at last
and striving to keep back tho tears that
started to her Dyes. II will away and leave
YOU" and shc began to roll up her bundle.
rOF8lNb uCT, -httIl4ItiJ oSAAo AeAooA4J'
for the desire to escape grew on mo every
minute. Sorrow has set an edge upon
her tongue" Then, turning to Otomio,
I added: 81 pray you be moro gentle, wife,
for my sake if not for your own. Marina
is our only hope"
"Would that she had left rs to die in
pcacc, husband. Well, so bo 1t, for your
sake I will put on these garments of u
drab. But how shall VIC escape out OF this
place and tho camp? Will tho door bo
opened to us and tho guards removed, and
If VIC 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 thcro will be nothing to
fear from tho guard-trust to inc for it.
Sec, tho bars Of this window arc but of
wood. That sword will soon sever them,
and if you arc seen you must play the part
of drunken soldier being guided to his
quarters By a woman. For the rest know