Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-07-23

sAyi" said Tikal. whose courage had
come lex to him. 1.-THE lady Nahua
speaks truth. Touch me not If you
would live to look upon the sun. %
But all the while he spoke his eyes
were fixed upon Maya, whose beauti-
full face he watched as though it were
that OF some lost love risen from the
dead
Now, as Zibalbay was about to speak
again, Natal, the astronomer, bowed
before him and said:
BE not wroth. but hear me, my lord.
You have travelled far and you are
weary. and a weary man is apt at wrath.
You think that you have been wronged,
and doubtless all this that has CHANGED
is strange to you, but now is not the
time for us to give count of our acts and
stewardship, or for you to hearken.
Rest this night, and Tomorrow on the
pyramid. in the presence of the people,
all things shall be made clear to you,
and justice done to all"
Now Zibalbay paused awhile, look
ing round out of the corner of his eyes
like a wolf in a trap. for he sought to
discover the temper of the mobiles. Then
finding that there were few present
whom he could trust to help him. he
lifted his head and answered:
''YOu are right, Natal, am weary,
for age, travel, and the faithlessness of
men have worn me out. Tomorrow
these matters shall be dealt with in the
presence of the people, and there before
the altar it shall be made known
whether I am their lord, or you, Tikal.
There, too, I will tell you who these
strangers are, and why have brought
them across the mountains. Until then
I leave them in your keeping, for your
own sakes charging you to keep them
well. Nay, here 1 will neither eat nor
drink. Do you come with me- and he
1a6 To anv-fa ir, de hyy VIII
he knew to be faithful to him.
Then without more words he turned
and left the hall. followed by a number
of mobiles.
cit seems that my father has for
gotten me-" said Maya, with a laugh.
when he had gone. Greeting to you
all, friends, and to you, my cousin
Tikal, and to your wife Nahua. who.
once my waiting lady, has now by the
gift of fortune been lifted up to take
my place and title. greeting. What
ever may be the issue of these broils,
may you be happy in each others love.
Tikal and Nahua.''
throne and bowed before her, saying:
81 swear to you, Maya"
mo, do not swear" she broke in,
''but give me and my friends here a cup
of wine and some fragments from your
wedding feast, for we are hungry. L
thank you. How beautiful is that
brides robe which Nahua wears, and
surely those emeralds were once my own.
Well, let her take them from me as
wedding gift. Make room, pray you,
Tikal, and suffer these ladies to tell me
of their tidings, for remember that /
have wandered far. and it is pleasant to
see faces that are dear to me-"
There were two who took small note
of the senior or of me, and these were
Tika1, who gazed at Maya as he stood
behind her chair serving her like some
waiting slave, and Nahua, his wife,
who sat silent and neglected on her
thorone. sullenly noting his every word
this play no longer, but rising from her
seat, began to move down the chamber.
make room for the bride, ladies' %
said Maya. Cousin. good night, It
grows late and your wife awaits you
Then muttering I know not what,
TilSal turned and went, and side by
side the pair walked down the great
hall, followed by the guard of soldiers.
How beautiful is the bride and how
brave the groom" said Maya as she
watched them go, land yet I have seen
couples that looked happier on their
wedding day. Well, it is time to rest.
Friends, good night. Natal, I leave
these strangers in your keeping. Guard
them well-and stay, bring them to my
eaten. for if it is my fathers will I
would show them something of the city
before the hour of noon, when we meet
upon the temple top
When she had gone Natal bowed to
us with much ceremony and begged US
to follow him, which we did across the
courtyard and through many passages
to beautiful chamber, dim1y lighted
with silver lamps that had been made
ready for us. Here were beds covered
with sil1en wrappings, and on a table
in the center of the room cool drinks
and many sorts of fruits, but so tired
were we that we took little note of these
things.
Bidding good night to Natal, who
looked at us curiously and announced
that he would visit US early in the
morning, we made fast the copper bolts
upon the door and threw ourselves upon
the beds and were soon asleep.
In the morning we were aroused by
knocking at our door / arose and I'M
did the bolt, whereon attendants en-
tered bearing goblets of chocolate and
little cakes upon O tray. After we had
eaten they led us to the baths. which
were of marble and very beautiful. one
of them being filed with water from a
warm spring, and then to a chamber,
where breakfast was made ready for us.
While we sat at table Natal came to
us, and / saw that he had not slept that
night, for his eyes were heavy.
Il trust that you have rested well,