Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-03-12

oned by the number OF meals that were
brought to us, but neither Tilial nor
Natal returned to visit us. Other doc
torscame and saw Mbalbay, but, though
they tried many remedies, they were Of
no avail. On the night Of the second
day we were gathered round his couch
watching him and talking together sad
ly enough, for the solitude and dark
ness and the fear Of impending death
had broken our spirits so that even the
senior ceased to be merry, and the pres
ence Of her beloved 10 give comfort to
Maya.
1t was Just then that looked up and
saw Natal standing in the doorway,
watching the scene curiously and with
= softening face.
Greeting he said, "and forgive me
that come so late, but my business is
secret, and such as is best done ut
night. How does it go with zibal-
bay?'
HE lives answered; "Ican say no
more, for he is senseless, and, without
doubt, soon must die. But come, see
for yourself
Natal walked to the bed and cx
amined the old man, lifting the eyelids
and feeling his heart.
HE cannot live long he said
"Well, death is his best friend. And
LOW to my business. There is trouble
in the city, and strange rumors pass
from mouth to mouth among the pso-
pie, many Of whom declare that 1ikal
has murdered Zibalbay, and demand
that you, lady, should be brought be-
fore them that you may be named
cacique in his place.
Things being SO, 1t has been urged
upon Yllsal by the chiefs Of his party
that, as he will never clear himself Of
the death Of zibalbay, 1t would bowel
that he should make away with Won
also, lady, and with these two stran-
gers. The matter was laid before him
at a secret council held this afternoon,
and once he issued the order for your
deaths, only to recall it before the mes
senger had left the palace"
Now he paused, and Maya asked, in
Q low voice:
"Have you no plan to save us, Nat
tai?"
why should have n plan, lady,
who with my house would benefit 80
greatly by your, death?'
u do not know why you should have
plan, old man. broke in the scnor,
"but I.tel you that You will do well to
make one, else you do not leave This
place alive and as he spoke WITH u
sudden movement he sprang between
Natal and the door.
'If we are to be murdered Ike birds
In a cage he went on, 'at lea IL your
neck shall be twisted first d. rou
understand
81 understand. Son OF the Sea" an-
swercd Natal llnching little before
the senor's fierce face and hand out
stretched as though to grip him. "But
would have you understand some
thing, also; namely, that II | do not
return presently, there are some with.
out who will come to seek me, and
then"
"And then they will find your carcass, "
broke in the senior "and what will all
your plots and schemes advantage you
when you are lump of senscless
clay?"
Little, indeed confess" he an
swercd, "Still, my daughter, whom !
love better than myself, will reap some
profit, and with that, in this sad case, |
must be content But, do not be SO
hasty, white man. asked why |
should have plan, did not say | had
none"
"Then if you have one, let MS hear IL
without more ado said the senior,
Natal bowed rs he answered:
"Your will is mine, but know not
how my plan will please the Lady
Maya yonder, and therefore, before !
unfold it, would make it clear that
there Is but one altcrnativc-thc death
OF all of you by to-morrow's light, Your
lives lie In my hands; If must do SO to
save my daughter and myself, | Shall
not hesitate to take them"
"Any more than shall hesitate to
take yours, old man." said the senior
grimly, "for remember always that if
you do not make your plan such us we
can accept you will leave this chamber
feet first, with a broken neck
Again Natal bowed and continued;
IN one way only has rilsal been able
to pacify the people, by declaring that
the Lady Maya shall be produced be-
fore the Council of the Heart. in the
sanctuary upon the night Of the rising
Of waters, and afterward at dawn In the
eyes Of the whole city.
"The words Of Zibalbay have taken Il
strange hold Of the people, and they
desire to know what will happen when
once more the severed halves of the
symbol of the heart arc laid side by
side in their place upon the altar.
Zibalbay told them that he believed
the god would reveal his purpose and
show what part each Of You should play
in the fate that is to be, and therefore
the people look to sec some sign OF
wonder when Day and Night are come
together
Now Natal thought for awhile, and
went on:
Lady, am old, and for many years
| have followed the worship Of the
gods, and yet never have Known the