Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-08-27


| whether sleeping or awake 1 do not
| know, till the hour of sunset, when he
| was aroused by the arrival of several
| lords and attendants. who came to lead
| him to the bath. On his return other
messengers entered, bearing magnif-
cent robes and jewels, the gift of Lady
/ Maya, to be worn by him and by me at
| the ceremony. Then BARRIERS, having
| trimmed and scented his hair and beard
according to the fashion of this people,
he was deckcd out like a victim for the
sacrifice. So soon as all was prepared
| the doors were flung wide, and six
| officers of the palace came through
| them, bearing wandS of Office in their
hands, accompanied by troop of sing
| ing girls chosen for their loneliness,
| which, to speak the truth, was not
small. In the midst of these officers
and ladies the senior was placed, and,
followed by myself, who walked behind
| with a heavy heart, he set out for the
banqueting hall.
AS we reached it the doors were
thrown open and the singers set up
love song, pretty enough, but so foolish
that 1 have forgotten it. We passed
the threshold and found that the great
hall was crowded with guests arrayed
in their most brilliant attire, whereon
the lamplight shone bravely. Through
this company we walked till we reached
an open space at the far end of the hall,
around which, in a Semicircle, sat the
members of the Council of the Heart,
Tilal and his wife being placed in the
center of them. having Natal on their
right, and on their left that old priest,
DimaS. the foster brother of Zibalbay,
who had administered the oath to us.
AS we advanced, with one exception
all the council rose and bowed to the
senior. That exception was Tikal, who.
stared straight before him and did not
move. Scarcely had they resumed their
seats when the sound of singing was
heard again, mingled with that of
music, and far away, at the foot of the
long hall, appeared band of musicians
playing upon pipes of reeds, clad in the
royal livery of green AMI crowned with
oak leaves. After the musicians
of young girls robed in white only. and
carry ing white lilies in their hands,
which they threw upon the floor to be
trodden by the feet of the bride.
Next came Maya herself, a sight of
beauty such as stirred even my cold
heart and caused me to think more
gently of the senior, who had become
party to a trick to win her. She also
was arrayed in white, embroidered with
gold, and having the symbol of the
Heart blaZoned on her breast: about
her waist and neck were girdle and
collar of precious emeralds; on her head
was set a tiara of perfect pearls taken
in past ages from the shellfsh of the
lake, and round her wrists and ankles
were bangles of dead gold. Her wav-
ing hair hung loose almost to her san
daled feet, and in her hand, as token of
her rank, she bore a little golden Scep-
ter, having at one end great pearl
and at the other heart-shaped en-
erald.
Now the bridegroom and the bride
stood together in the open space sur
rounded by the half circle of the Coun-
ell of the Heart, among whom I was
given a seat, while behind them were
girls. and behind these again pressed
the glittering audience of marriage
guests.
When all were at their places her
aid arose and cried out the names and
titles of the pair, reciting briefly that
they were to be wed by the direct COM
n1and of the guardian god of the city,
by the wish of the Council of the Heart,
and because of the love that they bore
one another. Next reading from a
written roll he published the text of
the agreement whereby Maya re-
nounced her right as ruler in favor of
her Cousin Tikal, and I noticed that
this agreement was received by the
company in cold silence and with some
few expressions of disapproval.
Lastly, from another roll he read a
list of the honors, offices, wealth, houses
and servants which were thereby as
signed to the Lady Maya and her con-
sort, and also to myself. their friend,
for the maintenance of their rank and
dignity and of my comfort.
Having finished his task he asked the |
senior and Maya whether they had |
heard all that he had read by command
of the council, and, if so, whether they |
approved thereof.
They bowed their heads in assent, |
whereupon the herald turned. and. ad- |
dressing Tika1 by all his titles, called |
upon him in virtue of his priestly Of |
fee and of his position as chief of the |
state to make these two one in the face |
of the people according to the ancient |
custom of the land.
Tikal heard him and rose from his
seat as though to commence the serv- |
ice, then sank down again, saying:
Seek some other priest, herald, for
this / will not do
CHAPTER xxi
NATAL PRoPHEsIEs EVIL.
At Tikal's words the company MUIR
in establishment, and Natal,
bending forward, began to whisper in
his ear. Tikal listened for a moment.
then turned upon him fercely and then
"A oil