The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-02-28

foresworn traitor, ana to you, Natal,
that you are charlatan and liar, who
have dared to use the holy art for your
own ends and the advancement of your
house. On both of you l will be
avenged, ay, and on all these who have
abetted you in your crimes. Guards,
seize that man, and the lord Natal
with him, and let them be held fast till
l shall judge them"
The soldiers that stood on either side
of the thrones hesitated for moment,
then advanced toward Tikal, as though
to lay hands upon him in obedience to
Zibalbay's order. But Nahua rose and
waved them off, saying:
What! you dare to touch your
anointed lord? Back. say to you, If
of sacrilege. Living or dead, the day
of Zibalbay is done, for the Council of
| the Heart has set his crown upon the
brow of Tikal, and, whether for good
| or i'll, their decree cannot be changed"
"Ay!" said Tikal, whose courage had
come back to him. 1.-THE lady Nahua
speaks truth. Touch me not if you
would live to look upon the SUM-"
But all the while he spoke his eyes
were fixed upon Maya, whose beautiful
| 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 wolf in 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, l am weary,
for age, travel, and the faithlessness of
men have worn me out. Tomorrow
thsse matters shall be dealt with in the
presence of the people, and there before
the altar it shall be made known
whether l am their lord, or you, Tikal.
There, too, l will tell you who these
strangers are, and why have brought
them across the mountains. Until then
l leave them in your keeping, for your
own sakes charging you to keep them
well. Nay, here / will neither eat nor
drink. Do you come with me-" and he
called to certain lords by name, whom
he knew to be faithful to him.
Then without more words he turned
and left the hall, followed by number
of mobiles.
"It 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."
Now Tilzal came down from the
throne and bowed before her, saying:
Il swear to you, Maya"
mo, do not swear" she broke in,
"but give me and my friends here cup
of wine and some fragments from your
wedding feast, for we are hungry. l
thank you. How beautiful is that
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 I
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
Tilkal 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
and gesture. At length she could bear
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 / know not what,
Tikal 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 have seen
couples that looked happier on their
wedding day. Well, it is time to rest.
Friends, good night. Natal, l leave
THESE strangers III your Keeping. Uudru
them well-and stay, bring them to my
apartments tomorrow after they have
eaten, for if it is my fathers will
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, dimly lighted
with silver lamps that had been made
ready for US. Here were beds covered
with silken 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. l arose and I'M
did the bolt, wherein attendants en-
tered bearing goblets of chocolate and
little cakes upon a tray. After we had
eaten they led US to the baths, which
were of marble and very beautiful, one