Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-04-02
HEART Of TIE WORLD.
by II. RIDER HACCARD.
Strange Story, Taken From Mar script Bequeathed by Oh
Mexican indian Ills Friend and comrade,
Ensllshman Named Jones.
Copyrighted. ipa, BY n. Rider Hssssrd

heaven-sent husband and to be at rest
until that child was become q maj,
whose wisdom and power should make
them even greater than their forefa-
theirs had been.
When he had finished there was
much applause and other expressions
Of joy, and a spokesman from among
the people asked when the marriage Of
The white man, Son of the Sea,
to the Lady Maya would take
place. This question she answered
in person, saying modcstly that II was
her lords will that II should take place
that very night in the banqueting hall
Of the palace, and that great feast
should be celebrated in honor OF It,
After this the talking came to an end,
Tikal having said no word good or bad
beyond such as the duties Of his office
required. and, according TO the custom
OF the country, many people, noble and
simple, came forward to congratulate
her who was about to be made bride.
Weary Of watching them and of hear.
ing their pretty speeches. took nd.
vantage Of the escort OF friendly
noble and went to see the ceremony Of
the closing Of the noodgate, a huge
block OF marble that slid down groove
into a niche prepared to receive it,
where 1t was fastened with great bars
Of copper and sealed by certain officers,
although. as was told, the rising
water would not reach II for another
eight or ten days.
About midday returned to the
apartments that had been assigned to
me in the palace, and hearing that the
senior was still in attendance on the Lady
Maya ate my dinner alone with such
appetite as could find, and lay down
to sleep awhile
| was awakened from my rest by the
senior, who arrived looking merry as he
used TO be before ever Molas came to
lead us to the old Indian doctor and his
daughter, and full of talk about the
preparations for his wedding that night.
! listened toall he had to say and strove
earnestly to fall into his mood, but, as
| suppose, without effect, for in the end
he fell into mine, which was but sad
one, and began to talk rcgretfully Of
the past md doubtfully Of the future
Now. | did my best to cheer him up,
but with little avail, for he shook his
head and said:
"Indian as she Is, love Maya dearly,
and no other woman has been or can be
SO much to me, and yet am afraid, Igna-
ito, for this marriage Is ill-omened, and
pray that what has been begun In
trickcry may not end in desolation.
Also the future Is black both for you
and me. You came here for certain
purpose and will desire to leave again
10 follow your purpose, nor, although |
take this lady to wife, do l wish to
spend my days In the City Of the
Heart. And vet II would seem that un-
less we can escape, this is what we
must do"
"Let us hope that we shall be able to
escape" | answered.
~ doubt IT,, he said, "for already l
have discovered that though we be
treated with all honor, yet we shall be
closely watched, or at least shall for
certain reasons. Still come what may,
| trust that this marriage will make no
breach in our friendship, lgnatio
81 do not know, senior, though | think