Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-07-16

| selves only TO disappear III quick sue
| cession and assume new and endless
| shapes.
1T is beautiful, is it not?" said Maya.
| ssBut wait until the mist breaks. Look,
! it is beginning"
| AS she spoke, of a sudden the sea of
| mist grew thin and opened in its CEN
| ter, and through the gap thus formed
tops and then the entire panorama of
the city Heart of the World floating as
it were upon the face of the Holy
Waters. It was far away, but now the
night fog no longer thickened it, SO
clear was the atmosphere and so high
were we above it that it seemed to be
at our feet.
1t stood upon heart-shaped island,
and round about the shores of this
island. stretching further than the eye
could reach, Spark1ed the blue waters
of the holy lake.
'tThere lies my country" said Maya,
with proud wave of her hand. "Does
it please you, white man?"
'It pleases me so well, Maya" he an
swered, t'that now less than ever can /
understand why you wish to leave it. +"
Because. though lakes and noun
tains and cities full of wealth are fine
things, it is not to these but to the men
and women among whom we live that
we must look for happiness
''Some people might think otherwise,
Maya. They might say that happiness
must be sought for in ourselves. At
least could be happy in such a land as
this
''You think so now," she answered,
meaningly. "but when you have been
awhile in the city yonder you will think
otherwise. Oh!'' she went on passion
ately, eff indeed you care for me we
should never have crossed that noun
tain behind us.
Here I am great lady, and you will
see the people in the streets bow them
selves to the ground before me; and if
say that a man shall die, you will see
that man killed. Also here I have
wealth more than any white woman,
and you will be fond of me for that
"You are very unjust" he broke in,
angrily; sit is shameful that you should
speak to me thus for no cause
perhaps am unjust" she answered
with sob, "but there are so many
troubles before us. First there is
Tikal-'
sWhat does Tikal want?" asked the
senior.
He wants to marry me, or to become
cacique of the city in my right, which
is the same thing; at least he will not
give me up without a struggle. Then
there is my father, who serves two mas
tiers only, his gods and his country, and
who will use me like piece in game
If it suits his purpose; yes, and you, too.
Our good days are done with. the evil
ones have to come, and after them-the
night Henceforward we shall find few
opportunities of speaking even, for I
shall be surrounded by officers and
waiting ladies, who will watch my
every action and hear my every word,
and my father will watch me also"
Now begin to be sorry that I did
not take your advice and stop on the
further side of the mountain" answered
the senior. 'Do you think we can
escape there?"
''No, it is too late; they would track
our fate, whatever it may he. Only
swear to me by my gods or your own, or
whatever you hold dear. that you will
cleave to me till ] am dead as / will
cleave to you," and taking his hand in
hers she looked up appealingly into his
face.
At this moment Zibalbay, who was
walking in front, lost in his own
thoughts, CHANGED to turn and see
them.
''Come hither, daughter, and you,
white man." he said in stern voice.
Listen, both of you. am old, but my
sight and hearing are still keen, though
yOnder in the wilderness took no heed
of much that saw and heard. Here in
white man, that the Lady of the Heart
is set far above you, and there I think
she will remain. Do you understand
my meaning?"
Perfectly" answered the senior,
striving to control his anger, ''but,
chief it is pity that you did not see
well to tell me this before. Had it not
been for what we and one dead We're
able to do to save you, to-day your
bones would have been whitening in
the forest. Why did you not tell me
there that l was no fit company for
syour daughter?'
Because you were sent by the gods
to do me service, and because there /
had need of you. white man." answered
Zibalbay, quietly, ''as maybe I shall
have need of you again. Had it not
been for that chance we should have
parted company on the further side of
the mountain
''In truth wish we had!" exclaimed
the senior.
AS 1 walked on side by side with III
balbay I spoke to him, saying: you
use sharp words toward him who is my
brother, chief, and therefore toward
me-"
81 speak as I must" he answered
coldly. MANY troubles await me at
the city. Did you not hear what that
knave said last night, that Tikai, my
nephew, whom 1 left in charge, rules
in my stead? Well. this girl of mine,
who is affianced to him, and through
whom he homes tO crQveru in after wears