Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-03-05

know In front Of this cleaning pile
stood a chest, unlocked, that the senior
opened 1t was packed with priestly
ornaments Of gold set with great en-
eralds Maya picked out belt from
the box and gave It to me, saying:
Take it, Ignatio, since you love
such trinkets. 1t will set off that robe
of yours"
| took 1t and put IT on, not over my
robe, but beneath IL.
Wearied at length by the sight Of
so much treasure we returned to Zibsl-
bay, who was seated as we left him,
lost In thought,
think it must have been In the early
afternoon Of the day following that on
which we were imprisoned that 1ikal
visited us, accompanied only by four
guards.
"A small band,' said the senior, as he
watched them advance, but enough to
put us to death who are unarmed for
all our weapons had been taken from
us-if such should be their will"
Have no fear, friend" said Maya.
"they will not do murder so openly"
BY now Tikal stood before us bow.
ing, and Zibalbay, who as usual was
seated brooding at the table, looked up
and saw him. what do you seek,
traitor?' he asked, angrily, the blood
flushing beneath his withered skin.
Would you kill us? II SO, STAY on. for
thus shall come the sooner to the
bosom Of that God whose vengeance
call down upon you"
II am no murderer, Zibalbay.r an.
swered Tikal with dignity. III you die
it will be by the command Of the law
that you have broken and not by mine.
am here to speak with you, II you will
come apart with me-"
"Then speak on before these others
or leave your words unsaid," he an
swered, "for not one step will stir
with you, who doubtless seek some OPP
portunity 10 stab me in the back"
Yet it Is important that you should
senior III u mai Whisper, Tor mere one
scarcely dared to speak loud because Of
the echoes that ran about the wallis
"but dark though 1t Is, 1t seems safer
than the summit Of the pyramid, where
sword points are SO many and he
pointed TO little cut upon his throat,
at is safe enough" Maya answered,
with q bitter laugh, "and safely will II
keep our bones till the worlds end, for
through those gates and the men that
guard them there's no escape, and the
death that threatened us In the sun
shine shall overtake MS In the shadow"
"What must be must be, answered
the senior with a sigh, "but for my part
hope that the worst is past and that
they will not kill US, 1t was your
fathers rashness brought these
evils on us, and perhaps misfortune
may teach him wisdom"
Never" she answered, shaking her
head, "for they are right. On this mat.
ter he is mad as you lgnatio, are mad
also. Come, let us look at our prison,
for have never seen II till this hour
and, taking one of the hand lamps that
stood near, she walked down the length
of the hall. At Its further end were
gates similar to those by which we had
entered, and through them came
draught Of air.
Where do they leadY' ! asked.
II do not know she answered.; per
haps to the sanctuary by secret way.
The pyramid is full Of these chambers
that In old days were used for many
things, such rs the storage Of corn and
weapons and the burying places Of
priests, thousands OF whom are at rest
within It Now they are empty and de-
serted"
As wa walked back again | stopped
before wooden door leading into one
of the cbambers of which have spoken,
that stood ajar.
"Let us go In, said Maya, pushing II
open, and we entered to find ourselves
in small room lined with shelves
packed, some of them with yellow and
some with white bars Of metal
Copper and lead" said the senior,
glancing at them
mot So" answered Maya with a
laugh. "but that which you white men
covot gold and silver. Look what Is
painted above the Shelves" and she
hel6 up the lamp and read: pure
metal from the southern mines, set
apart for the service OF the Temple Of
the Heart and Of the temples Of the
east and west OF gold--such weight;
of silver-such weight"
| stared and my eyes grew greedy,
for here In this one room, neglected
and forgotten, was enough wealth TO
carry out my purpose three times over,
stored there by the forefathers OF this
strange rust-eaten race. All! II only |
could see onc-half Of II safe across the
mountains, how great might be my fu-
ture and that Of the people which !
lived to serve
"pcrhaps you will win II after all,
lgnatio,' said Maya, interpreting my
thoughts, "but to be frank, fear that
you will gain nothing except sep
ulchre in these gloomy vaults"
After this we visited several cham
bers that were empty, or filled only
with the wreck Of moth-eaten tapes
tries and curious furniture, till at
length we came to room, or rather q
large cupboard, piled from floor 10 cell
ing with golden vessels Of the most
quaint and ancient workmanship, which
had been discarded by the priests and
near wbut nave 10 say, hl1aipay.
Say on, then, traitor, or 60"
Now Tltal thought for awhile, look-
ing toubtfully at Maya, from whose
fair face indeed he rarely took his eyes.
is it your wish that | should with.
draw she usked, shortly.
1t Is not mine said Zibalbay, stay
where yon nre, daughter"
Listen, Zibalbay," said Tikal, yes
terday before the gathering on the
pyramid ! saw your daughter, the lady
Maya, and spoke with her, telling her
that now as always loved her, al.
though believing her TO be dead, had
for reasons OF the state taken an.
nthoe ,vonon 20 kn go. - 90. =. !,