The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-07-04
CHAPTER XVIII
TIE PLOT.

Springing forward, but too late TO
save him, the senior and | lifted Zibal-
bay from the ground and laid him on a
couch. Peeping over our shoulders
Maya caught sight OF his CHASTITY face
and the foam upon his lips.
20, he Is deadl" she moaned; "my
father is dead, and he died cursing
me-"
mo" said the senior, che Is not dead,
for his heart stirs. Bring water,
Maya"
She obeyed. and for hard upon two
hours we struggled TO restore his sense.
but in vain; life fingered, indeed but
we could not stir him from his stupor
At length, as we were resting, wcaried
with our fruitless labor, the gates
opened and TilSal came again.
what now?" he asked. seeing the
form of Iibalbay stretched upon the
couch docs the old man slcep?"
Yes, he sleeps" answered the senior,
"and | think that he will wake no
more. The words he spoke 20 you to-
day are coming true, and that which
you took from him by force will soon
be yours by right"
NO" answered TilSal, "by right, Il
will be the Lady Maya's yonder, though
by force it may remain mine, unless, in
deed, she gives IL me of her own free
will. But, say, how did this come
about?"
Now broke In hastily, fearing lest
the senior should say too much, and
thus bring some swift and awful fate
upon himself.
"IIe was worn out with the fatigue OF
our journey and the excitements OF
yesterday. After you had left he be-
gan TO talk Of your proposals, and sud
denly was taken with this fit These
matters are not for me 90 speak Of, who
am but a prisoner in strange land,
still, lord, IL will not look we'll IL he
who once was cacique OF this city dies
here and unattended for then people
may say that you have murdered him.
Have you no doctors who can be sum
moned TO attend him, for without drugs,
or even n bleeding knife, we have done
all that we can do?n
Murdered hint That they will say
in any case. Yes, there are doctors
here, and the best OF them is Natal,
my father-in-law / will send him.
But, Maya, before / go, have you no
word for mc?"
Maya, who was seated by the table.
her face buried in her hands, looked up
and said
us your heart stone that You can
NfOublt INC III huth All iiO'iif W men nv
father is recovered, or dead, / will an
swcr you, and not before"
so be IL. lady" he said. It'll then
l will wait. And now, / must get
hence for there may be trouble In the
city when this news reaches il"
Awhile passed and Natal appeared
before MS followed by one who carried
his scales and medicines. Without
speaking he came TO where Zibalbay
lay and examined him by the light OF a
lamp. Then he poured medicines down
his throat and waited as though he
expected 60 see him rise, but he neither
rose nor stirred.
"A bad case" he said, II fear that
he will awake no more. How came he
thus?"
"Do you wish 20 know" asked
Maya, speaking for the first time.
Then bid your attendant stand back
and will tell you. My father yondcr
was smitten down while he cursed me
In his rage"
"And why did he curse you. lndy?"
"For this reason: Tikal came 90 my
father. and. in the presence of us all,
offered Co set him In his lawful place
again and TO suffer him 20 carry out
his schemes, whatever they might bo,
IL would consent TO become his wife"
ITO become his wifel" said Natal In
amusement. "How could you become
his wife when he is marriedY Can there
be two ladies Of the Hearth
NO" answered Maya quietly. "but
the proposal 90 Tslga.. H. cousin, n that
hs should either put away or Kill your