The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-04-01

to be my wife
"Well, and you married her, and
there's the end. You ask my forgive
ness and you have it, seeing that it does
not beht me to play the part of jeal-
GUS woman. Doubtless time will soften
the blow to me, Tikal," she added
mockingly.
is that your last word, lady?"
"Why do you asll?"
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 l 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 life's days and
have his way in all things. Refuse, and
Twill cling to power, and matters may
go badly for him, for you, and" he add
ed, threateningly, "for these strangers,
your friends"
"All this must befall as it chances" !"
she answered, proudly. II 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 cm,
and in due time meet with your reward,
but for myself tell you that | 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 low obeisance
he turned and went
"You have made a dangerous enemy,
lady" | said when he was out of ear
shot.
II do not fear him, Ignatio"
"That is WELL" answered, "but for
my part do fear him. think that his
plans are ready, and that before this
day is done there will be trouble. In
deed, shall be thankful if we live to
see to-morrow's light"
BY this time we had reached the
others.
Are you weary of waiting" she said
to the senior, giving him sweet, look
as she spoke "Well, should have
been happier here than l was yonder.
Give me your hand and lead me down
the stairs, for am tired All. friend, did
you but know it, | have just dared
more for your sake than should have
dared for my own"
"What have you darcd?" he asked.
"That you will learn in due time, if
welive long enough, friend" she an
swered; "but, oh! would that we had
never set foot within this city,"
Two hours had passed, and following
in the train of Zibalbay and Maya, who
walked beside him, once moro 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,
all the adult male population
of the city. On one side of
the altar were seated Tilsal
and his bride, Nahua, who was the only
woman there, and some hundreds Of
mobiles, all of whom noted were armed
and guarded by body of soldiers that
stood behind them.
On the other side were many vacant
places, and as Zibalbay and Maya, with
the great company of followers that he
had gathered, advanced to take them,
Tikal and every man present on the
pyramid uncovered their heads and
bowed in greeting to him.
Then Zibnlbay 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, "on this day year
ago 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
that hour this people shall grow great
again; and you know how voice spoke
to me in answer to my prayers, bidding
me, Zibalbay, to wander forth from the
country of the Heart, following the
road to the sea, for there l should find
that which was lost.
"Thither, then, having won the per-
mission of my council, the Brotherhood
of the Heart, have wandered alone
with my daughter, the Lady Maya, suf-
fering much hardship and danger in my
wanderings, and 10! I have found that
which was lost, and brought it back to
you, for here it hangs upon the neck of
fhse Iona 1O l,oe
from the lands beyond the desert"
Now murmur of astonishment went
up from the multitude, and Zibalbay
paused awhile.
'Of this matter of finding the SYM
bol," he continued, II will speak more
fully at the proper time.
"But first in this hour Twill deal with
other questions. 1t is known to you
that when | went upon my mission 1
left my nephew Tikal to sit in my place,
it being agreed between us and the
council that If ! should return no more
within two years he should become ca
clque of the people. l have returned
within the year, and find this: That
already he has allowed himself to be
anointed cacique, and more, that he,
who was affianced to my daughter, has
taken another woman to be his wife.
Last night, with my own ears, 1
heard him proclaim his treachery in the
hall of the palace, and when / spoke
out the bitterness that was in my heart,
!, your lord, was met with threats and
told that Tikal having been anointed
could not now be deposed. 1 use the
word against him. Mobiles, have not
been anointed, and ruled over you and
the people for many years? And can 1
then be deposed; Iwho am not a traitor
to my master, nor forswearer of my
oaths, as is my nephew yonder."
Again he paused, and some of the
audience with those who had accom-
panied Zibalbay shouted Nor but the
most of them looked toward Tikal and
Hvara silent Now Mnttni rocn from, his