Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-07-30

other woman has ever been near my
heart"
s.Surely," she said with a laugh,
'tthese words sound strange in the
mouth of the new-made husband of
Nahua."
perhaps, lady, and yet are true.
am married to Nahua, but do not love
her, though she loves me. It is you
whom love, and when I saw you yes
terday all my heart went out to you, SO
that almost hated the fair bride at my
side.''
why, then. did you marry her?"
Because I must and because l be-
lieved you dead, and your father with
you, as did every man in the city. You.
Zibalbay, being dead, as thought, was
it wonderful that I should wish to keep
the place that many were plotting to
take from me? This could be done in
one way only, by the help of Natal,
man IN the city; and this was Mattai's
price, that his daughter should become
Lady of the Heart.
"Wel, she loved me, she is beautiful.
and she has her fathers strength and
foresight, so that among all the ladies
in the land there was none more fitted
to be my wife. J."
there's the end. You ask my forgive
ness and You have it, seeing that it does
not befit me to play the part of a jeal-
Gus woman. Doubtless time will soften
the blow to me, Tikal," she added
mockingly.
''Is that your last word, 1ady?"
"Why do you ask?''
because more hangs on it than you
know. Listen! very soon all the men
in the city will be gathered on this
place to hear your fathers words, and
to decide whether he or I shall rule.
See, already they assemble in the tenn
pie square. Promise to be my wife, and
in return will yield to your father,
and he shall rule for his lifeS days and
have his way in all things. Refuse. and
1 will cling to power, and matters may
go badly for him, for you, and" he add
ed, threateningly, ''for these strangers,
your friends"
'sA1l this must befall as it chances"
she answered, proudly. 81 do not med
die with such questions, nor do your
threats move me. If you are SO base as
to plot mischief against an old man who
has poured benefits upon you, plot on,
and in due time meet with your reward,
but for myself I tell you that I have
done with you, and that, come what
may, will never be your wife"
Perhaps you may yet live to take back
those words, lady," he said in a quiet
voice, and then with a low obeisance
he turned and went.
"You have made a dangerous enemy,
lady," said when he was out of ear
shot.
81 do not fear him, Ignatio."
''That is WE'LL" answered. 'but for
my part do fear him. I think that his
plans are ready, and that before this
day is done there will be trouble. In
deed, I shall be thankful if we live to
see to-morrow's light"
By this time we had reached the
others.
'sAre you weary of waiting she said
to the senior, giving him sweet look
as she spoke. "Wel1, should have
been happier here than I was yonder
Give me your hand and lead me down
the stairs, for am tired. All. friend, did
you but know it, I have just dared
more for your sake than I should have
dared for my own"
"What have you dared?" he asked.
''TAlat you will learn in due time, if
we live long enough, friend" she an
never set foot within this city,
Two hours had passed, and following
in the train of Zibalbay and Maya, who
walked beside him, once more we found
ourselves upon the summit of the pyra-
mid. Now, however, it was no longer
empty, for on it were collected men to
the number Of some thousands, indeed,
al tuc dou1G Iudtc pOpu1dCl
of the city. On one side of
the altar were seated Tilzal
and his bride, Nahua, who was the only
woman there, and some hundreds of
mobiles, all of whom 1 noted were armed
and guarded by body of soldiers that
stood behind them.
On the other side were manv vacant
places, and as Zibalbav and Maya, with
the great company of followers that he
had gathered, advanced to take them,
Tlkal and every man present on the
pyramid uncovered their heads and
bowed in greeting to him.
Then Zibalbay rose to address the
multitude, and / noted that his fierce
face was pale and anxious, and that his
hand shook, although his eyes flashed
angrily.
Mobiles and people of the City of the
Heart" he began, ION this day a year
ago l left this city on certain mission.
This was my mission: to find the sew
cred portion of the sacred symbol that
is in the sanctuary of the temple, the
portion that is called Day which has
been lost for many an age.
"You know that our race has fallen
upon evil times, and that year by year
our numbers dwindle, till at length the
end for the people is in sight, seeing
that within some few generations they
must die out and be forgotten You
know also the ancient prophecy, that
when once more the two halves of the
Symbol of the Heart, Day and Night,
are laid side by side in their place upon
the altar in the sanctuary. then from