The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-29

SA&S
spirit of Tezcar. Alas, y he added, stamp
ing ON the ground, ''a1as that my uncfe's
madness should make it possible that such
words can be spoken! Oh, were I the em-
peror of Anahuae, ina single week the
head of every Tenle I'm Cholula should
deck pinnacle of yonder temple"
Beware how you speak, prince" an
swered mocking him, for there arc those
who, did they hear. might cause you to rue
your words. Still one day you may be
emperor, and then We shall see how you
will deal with the Teules at least Others
will see, though shah not But Whatis
it now? Does Aontezuma choose new
wivess'' sss73e::sass aes:s:ss
..He chooses wires, but not for himself.
You know, Teule, that your time grows
short. Montezuma and the priests name
those who 1nnst be given to you TO wife: Z. g
.sGiven me to wifei'' said, starting to
my feet. .1To me whose bride. is deathi
What have / to- do with love or marriage
7 who insune few short weeks must grace
an altarasAhi Guatemoc, you say you love
me-, and once Tssxed you. Did you love
me, surely you would save me now as you
swcre to do.
.sf swore that I would give my life for
yours, Teule, if it lay in my power, and
that oath would keep, for all do not set
SO high store on life as you, my friend
But I cannot help you You are dedicated
to the gods, and did I die a,hundred times
it would not save you from your fate.
Nothing can save you except the hand Of
heaven If it wills. Therefore, Teule, make
merry while you may and die brayely
when you must. Your case is no worse
than mine and that Of many others, for
death awaits us all Farewell. %
When he had gone, Irose and leaving
the gardens I passed into the chamber
where it was my custom to give audience
to those who wished to look upon the god
Tezcat, as they called me. Here I sat upon
my golden couch, inhaling the fumes of
tobacco, and as it chanced I was alone, for
none dared to enter that room unless I
gave them leave. Presently the chief of
my pages announced that one would speak
with me, and bent my head, signifying
that the person should enter, for was
weary Of my thoughts. The page with
drew, and presently veiled woman stood
before me. I looked at her wondering
and bade her draw her veil and speak.
She obeyed, and saw that my visitor was
the Princess Otomie. Now rose amazed,
for it as not usual that she should visit me
thus alone I guessed, therefore, that she
had tidings or was following some custom
OF which was ignorant.
II pray you be seated % she said con-
fusedly. 1T is not fitting that you should
stand before me- why not, princessS"
I Ianswered eff I had no respect for rank,
surely beauty must claim it. y "A truce
to words,'' she replied, with a wave of her
slim hand. II come here, o Tezcat, ac-
cording to the ancient custom, because /
am charged with a message to you. Those
whom you shall wed are chosen. / am
the bearer of their names I" Speak on,
princess of the Otomie. - They are''-
and she named three ladies whom knew
to be among, the loyeliest in the land. i
thought that there were four" said,
with a bitter laugh. Am I to be de-
fanded of the fourth There is a
fourth" she answered and was silent.
'sGive me her name" cried lone has
been found, o Tezcat, who has borne 9th
er titles than this you give her." Now
7 looked at her questioningly, and she
spoke again in a low voice. II, Otomie,
princess Of tho Otomic, Montezuma's
daughter, am the fourth and the first y
''Your" I said, sinking back upon my
cushions. ''Your' ''Yes, L Listen. I
was chosen by the priests as the most love
" in the land, however unworthily. My
father, the emperor, was angry and said
that whatever befel should nevec be the
wife Of q. captive who must die upon the
altar of sacrifice. But the priests answer
ed that this was no time for him to claim
exception foc his blood, now when the gods
were wroth. Was the first Lady in the
Land to be withheld from the god? they
asked. Then my father sighed and said
that it should be as willed And / said
with the priests that now, in our sore dis
tress. the proud must humble themselves
to the dust, even to the marrying of q cap
tive slave who is named god and doomed
to sacrifice.
$50 I, princess of the Otomie have con-
sented to become your wife, Q TcZcat,
though perchance had I known all that
read in your eyes this hour should not
have consented 1t may happen that IN
this shame hoped to find love If only Tor
one short hour, and that I purposed to
vary the custom of our people and to COM
plete my marriage by the side of the victim
on the altar, as, if will, have the right
to do But see we'll that am not vel
come, and though it is too late to go back
upon my word have no fear There are
others, and 1 shall not trouble you /
have given my message. Is it your pleas
ure that should go? The solemn ccrc-
nony of wedlock will be on the twelfth
day from now, . Tczcat %
Now rose from my scat and took her
hand, saying:
''I thank you, Otomie for your noble
ness Of mind. Had it not been for the
comfort and friendship which you and
Guatemoc, your cousin, have given me
think that ere now should be dead So
you desire to comfort me to the last 1t