The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-06-11

tribes OF the south and deSpOll them OF
their treasure.
Azul knew the black magic art. He
brought his richest treasure to Maxtel-
las court. He used his black art that he
might appear pleasing in her sight. His
arms and throat were bare. On his head
was a snowy white helmet, and his
dress was of green feathers. His breast
plate Of feather work cleaned like jew
els when the sur shone upon it. Tall
and straight was this vassal chief and
mighty was his stride. Great blue and
blood red stones shone in the middle of
his sword.
But the counselors were wise men.
They could see his black heart and read
his evil mind, and they spurned him
with scorn. They would have driven
him from the court. The vassal chief
held in his hand a wand, sharp pointed
like a knife, by which he worked his
magic art.
When the queen appeared, he looked
at her and turned pale. Azul's eyes
pierced her, but his magic was not
strong enough to make her love him.
Until then she knew not fear, but now
the evil spell was upon her. All of
AZul's power was exerted to subdue her
gentle heart.
When she went to walk, q wolf sprang
up in her path, sharp stones cut through
the deerskin and wounded her feet.
Near by was a spring Of healing wa
ter, but when Maxtella went to drink of
it a foul odor of poisonous gases arose.
She sought her couch, but Azul had
driven sleep away. When she was alone,
the black hearted vassal' chief would
suddenly appear and with thongs Of the
deer would beat her white body until
his savage lashes drew drops of blood.
All things could he make Maxtella do
but love him. False words she spoke to
her counselors and did unholy deeds
that made her courtiers bow their heads
in shame. No more was Maxtella just
or merciful. Cruelty, pitiless cruelty,
turned her love of her subjects to hate.
OF her attendants who remained faith
full nom was more so than a little page,
a boy OF not more han a score of years.
These two sat one eve within the pal
ace. The dusky shadows We're gathering
without, but the night could only bring
added wretchedness to Maxtella. The
boy sang to her, and as his song died
away a black shape entered the room.
It was Azul.
Thy song is sad," he said to the
page. "Why do you not weep, Max
tella?"
The rivers Of Maxtella's eyes were
dried up.
Now I will teach You how to weep"
and he struck her with his cruel thong.
Maxtella turned upon him her timid,
pleading eyes With a mighty bound
the youth leaped toward the chief and
seized the magic wand. Its possession
gave him the strength Of many men. He
struck the wretch a blow and pinned
him to the floor. Azul writhed in pain,
and the blood dyed his dress of feathers
crimson. None but a wizard might ever
loose him. With the blow the spell he
had wrought ON Maxtella was broken,
and all her g~entleness and purity re-
turned. 1t was this that caused her to
pity the bleeding wretch, squirming in
agony, yet furious with rage. She
reached down her delicate hand to with
draw the wand if it were possible, when
Azul seized her by the arm and buried
his sharp, cleaning teeth into the hand
extended in mercy.
Maxtella, unable to release herself,
shrieked in pain. for the bite Of the sor-
cerer was as deadly as the poison Of the
snake with the c~astanets in his tail.
Now is thy blood mingled with
mine" Missed Azul, land of thy own
free will! Now are we N forever. By
my living hate and the mingling of our
blood I have supremest power over thee.
Coward thou hast ever been; coward
thou shalt eve be. Thy spirit shall pass
from thee in the form Of the creature
thou most resemblest-a doe, timid of
heart, feet of foot and spotlessly white.
None may Stay thee, yet thou wilt ever
long for the dart that would release the
spell. Thy speed shall shame the feet
est Of the herd, and thy matchless beau
ty shall ever lure the hunter to his
death"
And with these words a milk white
doe darted from tho palace walls, trem-
bling with fright. 1t hides in brakes
and canyons and fees when no hunter is
nigh.
Hundreds have seen it, and many
have been lured to pursue it. The fallen
rocks from canyon walls hide the course
Of many a hunter who sought to STAY the
milk white doe. None has ever. re-
turned to tell the story Of those chases.
And those who escaped the canyons
dangers-their bones lie bleaching in
eternal now.-Chicago Times Herald.
From Minerals, Vegetables.
It has long been a dream of the evolu-