The sun., 1894-10-14
CHAPTER NVII.

Does not the city lie very low ?" asked of
M Ss Tsen had studied s
II believe that is So" she answered. " More
coming. the level OF the lake rises many feet, so
that the island is submerged and the water
being flooded =" asked the senior "if once the
water flo, flowed ed in the place would vanish and
YES, friend. but the waters never rise beyond
a.certain height. and are kept from flooding the
TO be opened in the time OF inundation, then we
should perish, every enc. But II never is opened
enter the city, they do so by means of ladders
leading from the summit Of the wall to floating
Landing stages on the moat beneath. Also.
can be moved from one place only by those that
know its secret, who are few"
ever sleep sound during the inundation. know
Yet Yet men M have slept safely here ere for tt a thou
sand years or more" she said. Legend tells
It n zane the he
command OF their gods. choosing this hollow
bed of land To build In. SO that, rather than sub
forced TO do in the country beyond the noun
tains. they could. II need were. flood the place
For this reason it il that he holy sanctuary OF
the nameless God, the Heart OF Heaven. is hal
OF tho lake would row in upon it At a touch.
burying II and ali its treasures from the sight Of
mSp forever Sow Il y9p have isen enGnTh
where fish is dried, garments woven. and all
other industries carried on that are necessary
with her ladies' toward the head of the stairs.
As We drew near to It, however, three men aD-
knew Tikal. Seeing MayGhe advanced toward
her; b9wng as he came.
here with these strangers, have followed you
to beg that you will speak with me alone for
That | cannot do, cousin she answered,
coldly, for who knows what color might after
ward be put upon my words If you have any
THAT cannot do. he answered. '' for what
have to say Is secret. still, for your fathers
sake and perhaps for your own, you will do well
Without witness will not listen to YOU
Tikal."
stay, cousin. II You fear TO speak befors our
OF our blood and can understand our tongue, II
discreet man, and, moreover one OF the Breth-
"One OF the Brethren OF the Heart. How can
STRANGER be Brother Of the Heartf Prove it
TO me- wanderer."
Ana drawing me aside he said certain words
which answered giving him the signs.
DO YOU agree asked Maya.
YES lady. since must, though Il pleases me
littla To open. my mind before a stranger. let
us step apart, and he walked to the centre of
" Lady" he began. my business with you is
not easy 10 tell For many years we were am
that we % should % b. Wed T when YOU n returned from
this journey"
:" surely, as things are. cousin 1t is needless to
discuss the matter OF our betrothal," she broke
in with sarcasm.
. Not altogether needless. lady," he answered.
make bold TO ask II. Maya. you know well
that have loved, and love you dearly, and that
surely" she said with laugh. these words
sound strange In the mouth, OF the neW-made
" Perhaps, lady, aud yet they are true. am
married 10 Nahna but do not love her, though
she loves me. IL IS you whom ! love and when
you. SO that almost hated the bride at my side"
Why, then. did you marry herr"
" because 1 must and because believed you
dead, and your father with you, as did every man
In the city. You and Hibalbny, being dead. as
10 Keep the place that many We're piotting TO
take from me This could be done in one
way only, BY the help Of Msttai, the most clever
and the most powerful man in the city and this
Was Mattafs price, that his daughter should be-
come Lady Of the Heart.
:" Well, she loved me, she is beautiful, and she
has her lathers strength and foresight, so that
among all the ladies in the land there was none
We'll, and you married her and there's the
end. You ask my forgiveness and you have It,
sseins that Il does not bsilt ms 20 play The part
the blow to me, Tikai." she added moe ckingly.
There is not AN end, Maya, and come 10 ask
you today to rene" your promise that you VIII
What. cousin Having broken your tTOth,
would you now Offer me insult Z DO you then
propose that l. the daughterOf the Heart, should
be NRhuR's handmade Z"
NO. propose that when Nahua is put away
you should take her place and your own"
How can this De, seeing that the Lady OF the
Heart cannot be diyOTcedf Z"
III she ceases TO be the Lady OF the Heart she
can he divorced, like any other woman; at the
least love has no laws. and will find way"
The way OF death, perhaps. No, will have
none Of you Honor has laws. TikAl. IL love has
none. Go back To Your wife aud pray that she
may never learn how sou would treat her"
" Is that your last word, lady? p
Why do yOn ask =
" Because more hangs on Il than you know. I
Listen! very soon all the men in the city will be
gal athered to hear your fathers words. and 20 de-
eide whether he or I shall rule. sec. already !
they assemble Ia the temple square. Promise 10 |
BE- my wife, and la return | viii yield 20 your /
father. aud he shall rule for his nfes days and !
have his Way ia all things. Refuse and | will }
sllnK U pOMeT, and mAtteTs may ~ Idly for [