The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-22

die.
So at last spoke and said it was my
bidding that should be suffered to rest
awhile till feast was prepared for me in
the apartments of Guatemoc the prince,
for there I hoped to meet Otomie.
NY tutors and the mobiles who attended
| me answered that Montezuma, my servant,
had trusted that would feast with him
that night. Still my command should be
done. Then they left me, saying that they
would come again in an hour to lead me
to the banquet. Now threw off the en-
bIems Of my godhead and cast myself down
on cushions to rest and think, and q Ger
tain exultation took possession OF me, Tor
was not a god, and had not power al
most absolute? Still, being of q cautious
mind, / wondered why was god and
how long my power would last
Before the hour had gone by, pages and
mobiles entered, bearing new robes, which
were put upon my body, and4resh flowers
10 rown ,sands Ewas led away to
4hesasiart1nents Of Gusteiapcs fair wemen
ganng before me who plated Supon inssru-
ments Of music.
Here Guatemoc the iaeesWaaitea tore.
ceiye me, which he did as though I, his
captive and companion, was the first OF
kings. And yet thought that ssw mer-
riment in his eye, mingled with sorrow.
Bending iSrward, spoke to him in q
whisper:
''What does all this mean, prince?' !
said. Am befooled, or am Tindeed
god?''
t.Hush!' he answered, boying low and
speaking beneath his breath Itmeans
both good and i'll for you, my friend Teule.
Another; time will tell you 2 Then he
added aloud: Does itplease you, o Tez-
cat, god of gods, that we should sit at
meat with you, OF will you eat alene?"
1.-THE gods like good company, prince,
said
Now, during this talk had discovered
that among those gathered in the hail was
the Princess Otomie. So when we passed
to the low table around which we were to
sit on cushions hung back, watching
where she would place herself, and then
at once seated myself beside her. This
caused some little confusion among the
company, for the place Of honor had been
prepared Cor me at the head of the table.
the seat of G,latemoc being to my right
and that Of his wife, the royal Tecuichpo
to my left.
Your seat IS yonder, o Tezcat, !" she
said, blushing beneath her olive skin as
she spoke.
.sSurely god may sit where he chooses
royal Otomie, - answered. Besides, - l
added in a low voice, what better place
can he find than by the side of the most
lovely goddess on the earth?"
Again she blushed and answered.; Alas,
am no goddess, but only mortal maid!
Listen. II you desire that1 should be your
companion at our feasts, you must issue
it as command None Will dare to DISC
bey you, not even Montezuma, my father. "
So I rose and said in very halting Aztec
to the mobiles who waited on me, lit is
my will that my place shall always be set
by the side of the Princess Otomie.'
At these words Otomie blushed even
more, and a murmur went round among
the guests, while Guatemoc first looked
angry and then Laughed. But the mobiles,
my attendants, bowed, and their spokes-
man answered:
1.The words Of Tezcat shall be obeycd
Let the seat of Otomie, the royal princess,
the favored of Tezcat, be placed by the side
Of the god"
Afterward this was always done, except
when ate with Montezuma himself.
Moreover, the Princess Otomie became
known throughout the city as the blessed
princess, the favored of Tezcat," for so
strong hold had custom and superstition
upon this people that they thought it the
greatest of honors to her, who was among
the first ladies in the land, that he who for
little space was supposed to hold the
spirit Of the soul of the world should deign
to desire her companionship when he ate.
Now the feast went on, and presently
made shift to ask Otomie what all this
might mean
'sAlas"' she whispered, you do not
know, nor dare tell you now. But Twill
say this, though you who arc god may
sit where you will today an hour shall
come when you must lie where you would
not. Listen. When we have finished eat
ing, say that it is your wish to walk in the
gardens Of the palace, and that should
accompany you. Then I may find chance
to speak,
Accordingly, when the feast was over, l
said that desired to walk in the gardens
with the Princess Otomie, and we went
out and wandered under the solemn trees
that are draped in a awinding sheet Of gray
moss, which, hanging from every bough
as though the forest had been decked with
! the white boards of an army of aged men,
waved aud rustled sadly in the keen night
air. But, alas! we might not be alone, for
after us at a distance Of 2c PAGES followed
all my crowd of attendant mobiles, together
| with fair dancing girls and minStrclS arm
ed with their accurSed flutes, on which they
blew in season and out of it, dancing as
they blew. In vain did command them
to be silent, telling them that it was writ
ten of old that there is time to play and
dance and time to cease from dancing,
| for in this alone they would not obey me.