Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-01-09
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY III. RIDER HAGGARD.
Strange Story Taken From Manuscript Bequeathed BY Old
Mexican Indian to His Friend and Comrade
Englishman Named Jones.
Copyrighted. 1904, by Il. Rider Haggsrd

ISL" answered the girl, whose name
vas Luisa, searching my face with her
eyes.
By this time Don Jose was through
the door, which the draught pushed TO
behind him. watched 1t close, then Q
1 thought struck me, for remembered
that among our order there are women,
associates Of the outer circle, and |
whispered some words in her ear and
made sign with my hand She started
and gave the ancient answer, which Is
taught even to children, whereto ! re-
piled with another sign, that OF the
Presence of the Heart.
"Where?" she asked, CHANGING at each
of us in turn.
Here" answered, and, drawing out
the symbol, held 1t before her eyes.
She saw and made obeisance, and at
that moment we heard Don Jose calling
her from the further side Of the door.
u come" she cried in answer, then
added in u whisper: Lord, you are In
danger in this house. cannot tell you
now, but II possible will return. The
wine is safe, but drink no cotfe, and do
not sleep when you lie down Search
the floor and you will understand the
reason. ! come, senior, come" And
she fled from the room.
So soon as the girl was gone the senior
went to the door,and locked it, then he
returned and said.
! what does all this mean, Ignatio2"
/ did not answer, but, pushing aside
! one Of the beds, searched the floor be-
meath 1t. 1t was discolored in several
places. Next pulled the blankets of
the beds and examined the webbing
that formed the mattresses to discover
that this also was stained, though
slightly, for 1t had been washed. Then
said:
Men have died in these beds, senior,
and the stains were made by their
blood. II would seem that the guests
OF Don Pedro sleep well, first they are
dragged, then they are murdered, and
1t Is for this purpose that we have been
lured to the house. Well, we expected
nothing else
"Do not dcspond,' answered. "We
are warned in time and therefore, |
think, shall escape by the help Of that
girl and the other Indians in the place,
since in an hour every one OF them will
know who we arc, and be prepared to
risk their lives 10 save us. Now let us
make ready md go among these men
with bold face, for of this you may be
sure, that nothing will be attempted
till late at night, when they think us
sleeping. Have you understood, Mo-
las?'
YES answered the Indian.
"Then watch here, or in the outer
room until we return, and should the
girl come, learn all you can from her us
to the whereabouts of the old doctor
and his daughter, and other matters,
for when she knows You to be OF the
order she will speak Have you been
recognized by any one?'
~ think not, senior. When we en-.
tered it was too dark for them to see. !"
"Good. Then keep out Of their way,
| If possible, do the best you can with the
| girl, and take note Of all that passes.
Farewell" '''' '7'.'
When we reached the end Of the din.
ing hall Don l'edpp sid from his
hammock to The lrnund and, taking the
senior by the hand, said
Let Inc introduce You 10 my over
seer, the Senior Smith from Texas. lie
is an American, and will be glad TO
meet one who can speak English, for,
notwithstanding much practice, his
Spanish is none of the best"
The senior bowed and tho American
lesperado spoke 10 him in English,
wearing a grin on his face like wicked
dog as he ala SO, though do not know
what he said. Then Don Pedro con
luctcd him toa place of honor at the
head OF the table, that beside his own
seat, while | was led toanothcr table at
y little distance where my meat was
served to me alone, since, as an Indian
)f pure blood, ! was not thought fit for
The company OF these cross-bred ours.
Don Jose having taken his place at the
further end o. the table with the
Americana, the meal began, and an ex-
cellent one 1t was.
Try some more OF this Burgundy"
'aid Don Pedro when the dishes had
oeen removed, iilling his tumbler for
ahe seventh or eighth time; lit is the
ight stuir, straight from France,
Ihoush |, never paid duty and he
Nlnked ms leaden eye
Your health senior, and may, you