The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-08-12
HEART or THE WORLD.
BY Fl. RIDER
CHAPTER I.


Va " nv
from the republic of Guatemala. lie devoted
himself. so far as his time would allow, TO the
collection of antiquities, and the study OF such
Of the ruins of pre-Aztec cities and temples as
Law within his reach. Then, CHANGING TO hear
that, on the further side Of the mountain. at a
hacienda called Santa Cruz, there dwelt an
indian. Don Ignatio by name, the owner Of the
hacienda, who was reported 10 have more
knowledge Of the Antiques. their history and
relics, than anybody else in this part Of Mexico.
he went to visit him.
Jones found Don Ignstio at evening in his
chapel, and entering the chapel his interest was
attracted 10 a slab of white marble, let into the
wall above the altar, wherein the ollowi In
s~cription was engraved in Spanish, in letters so
large that he had no d~iniculty in reading It:
Dedicated by ~Ienatio. the Indian, TO the
memory Of his most beloved friend, James
Strickland. an English gentleman, and Maya,
Princess Of the Heart, his wife, whom first he
met on this spot. Pray for their souls, OF your
charity, o pesser by"
When they had been acquainted for nearly
two years, a messenger arrived at the mine one
morning, saying that he was instructed by his
master, Don Ignatio, to tell the Seior Jones that
he lay dying and would be glad TO see him. On
arriving ut the hacienda he found Don Ignatio
lying in his room, quite psralyzed and very
weak. but perfectly clear headed and rejoiced
60 see him.
~ am about to make my last journey, friend, :"
he said. Ever since we knew each other you
have been trying to extract from me the story
of how | came to visit the city, Heart of the
World. and Of my friend. James Strickland,
whom, thanks be to God, l so soon shall see
again. I have not wished TO disappoint you alto
gether. and l have wished that some record Of
the curious things which l have seen in my life
should be preserved. though this last desire
alone would not have been sufficiently
strong to move me to the task which
1 finished ten days ago. before the
paralysis orept into my arm. Open that cup
board near the foot of the bed and give me tho
pile OF writing that you will ind In 1t. Here.
senior. in these pages. II you take tho trouble to
read them, you will find set out an account Of
how | and my English friend came to visit the
colder City. Tell me, friend, do you propose to
stop In this country or to return TO England 2"
Return to England No, I am too poor"
Then would you return II you were rich ~
asked the dying man anIiously.
Il do not know; 1t depends. But I think that
] have been too long way to go and live in Eng
land for good"
II am glad to hear that, friend, for I may as
well tell you at once that I have made you my
heir, so that henceforth you will be q wealthy
man as we understand wealth in this country"
"You have made me your heir!"
Jones.
Yes. Why should I not like you we'll,
and know you to be q good and honest man. I
have no relations and no friends. Moreover, I
have conditions to make which will not be the
less binding on you because they are not set out
in the will, namely, that you should live here
yourself and carry on the work that I have be-
gun. for 80 long as may be possible. and that, II
you are forced to sell the place by any unfore-
seen circumstance, or to leave it by will. you
should do so TO an Englishman only, and one Of
whom you know something. Do you accept"
Indeed, yes. and I know not how to thank
you"
So Jones, who had entered that room pos
Bessed OF q hard-earned eight hundred q year.
departed from It the owner OF q property which,
before long, became worth as many thousands.
Three days later Don IgnAtio passed away peace
fully. and was laid to his rest in the chapel OF
the hacienda
This, then. was how the story Of the city.
Heart of the World, and Of Don Ignatio and his
friend, James Strickland. who saw 1t, came ipto
the hands of the Englishman Jones.
Here follows q translation OF the storyi
or .prrp IT
~ ,h. IT, -, 49,. hJs,orx h.,no
- aoS rsar 20. 49, IN ,Jl,
L.. 1870 H. nount,irs th., ia hs,wssn ,bs
ii,,r. ,owns ., pich.ucaIco and Tiana' or ali
49,, 49,. 80. -. a.. 900.
ma a's snS h my ,d,ane 80 ,oHs, h,n muoh
W. y Ia n.rbsns oid .,anhI..
rr.ss.onS
80 aN.S.n. -. ,orcn,,an En- o,rorn-
-. - ,hIna. - .Iwavs aoInr -,
-, 80 -. -. 80 ~whIoh
49, c1-a--- -. 49, 80 $780, rnon
sH' = - -.
ter g. %. ,.o,..a - nav tbs tsy ana