Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-04-08
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY H. RIDER HAooARD.
. ssssaes stcy. Taksa Fren naauseript -
Vossfhed By IN OLD Hexican Indian 70 His
kfsesd and Cearads, N EasiisA-
nan Named Jones'.
0spyrshssd 1904. BY H Ridor Hasgara
CHAPTER XVI.
ON TIE PYRAMID.

on THE PYRAMID
"Does not the city lie very low?- I
asked of Maya, when we had studied
the Prospect on every side. ITO my
eye 1t seems almost upon a level with
the waters Of the lake"
II believe that is So" she answered.
"Moreover, during those months of the
year that are coming, the level Of the
lake rises many feet, SO that the island
Is submerged and the water stands
about the wall"
How, then. do you prevent the town
from being fiooded?" asked the senior.
IF once the water flowed in the place
would vanish and every soul be
drowned"
Yes, friend, but the waters never
rise beyond a certain height. and are
kept from flooding the city 10y the great
sluice gate. If that gate were to- be
opened in the time of inundation. then
we should perish, every one. But it
never Is opened during those months,
Tor, III any would leave or enter the city
they do so by means of ladders leading
from the summit of the wall to floating
landing stages on the moat beneath
1t seems strange place to build a
city," answered the senior. II do not
think that l should ever sleep sound
during the months of inundation. know
gate"
Yet men have slept safely here for a
thousand years or more" she said. "Le-
gend tells us that our forcfathers who
came up from the coast in ancient DAYS
settled on the island by command of
their gods, choosing this hollow bed of
land to build in, so that. rather than
submit themselves to foes, as their
fathers were forced to do in the country
hn t,tt
need were, flood the place and perish in
the water.
For this reason II is that the holy
sanctuary of the namelcss God, the
Heart of Heaven, is hallowed deep in
the rock beneath us. for the waters of
the lake would flow in upon it at n
touch, burying it and all its treasures
from the sight of man forever. Now,
II you have seen enough, / will take
you to visit the public workshops where
tsh is dried, garments woven, and all
other industries carried on that are nee
essary to our comfort" and turning she
led the way with her ladies toward the
head of the stairs.
As we drew near to il, however. three
men appeared upon the platform, in one
of whom i knew Tikal. Seeing MAYA
he advanced toward her, bowling as he
came.
bauy. TIC SdIu. learning tnat you
were here with these strangers, have
followed you to beg that you will
speak with me alone for some few min
utes.''
THAT cannot do, cousin" she an
swered, coldly, 'for who knows what
color might afterward be put upon nv
words. If You have anything to say To
me say it before us ALL"
That / cannot do" he answered.
for what have to say is secret. Still,
for your fathers sake, and perhaps for
your own, you Will do well to hear It -"
without witness | will not listen
to you, Tilsal."
Then, lady, farewell" he said. and
turned to go.
Stay, cousin. If you fear to speak
before our own people let this stranger"
and she pointed to me, Ignatio-'.be
present at our talk. He is of our blood
and can understand our tongue, n dis
Greet man, and, moreover, one of the
Brethren of the Heart"
Zone of the Brethren of the Heart,
How can stranger be Brother Of the
Heart? Prove it to me. wanderer."
And drawing me aside he said GER
tain words which I answered, giving
him the signs.
do you agree?" asked MAYA.
Yes, lady, since / must, though IL
Pleases me little to open my mind be-
fore stranger. Let us step apart"
and he walked to the center of the plat
form, followed by Maya and myself.
Lady" he began, "my business with
you is not easy TO tell For many years
we were affianced, and both you and
your father promised that we should be
wed when you returned from this Jour
rey--"
''Surely. as things arc. cousin. il is
needless TO discuss the matter of our
bctrotnal," she broke in with sarcasm.
Not altogether needless. lady" he
answered. 81 have much TO ask your
pardon for, and yet | make bold TO ask
1t. Maya, you know we'll that / have
lived. and love you dearly, and that no
pther woman has ever been near nv
heart
surely" she said with a laugh.
these words sound strange in the
mouth OF the ncw-nadc husband of
Nahua.'
Perhaps. lady. and yet are true. 7
am married TO Nahua, but do not love
her, though she loves me. 1t is YOU
whom love. and when saw you yes
tcrday all my heart went out 10 you. so
that / almost hated the fair bride at my
side"
why, then. did you marry her?'
"Becarse | must and because ] be-
lieved You dead, and your father with
you, as cid every man i'm the city. You.
Zibalbay, being dead. as thought. was
1t wonderful that l should wish 60 keen
the piece that many were plotting 10
take from me? This could bc done in
one way only. by the help OF Natal.
the mott clever and the most powerful
man IN the city; and this was Mattai's
price, that his daughter should become
Lady of the Heart
"Weil, she loved me, she is beautiful
and she has her fathers strength and
foresight, so that among all the ladies
in the land there was none more fitted
20 be my wife"
Wei. and you married her. and
there's the end. You ask my forgive
ness aud you have IL, seeing that IT does
not beft me 10 play the part of a jeal-
Gus woman. Doubtless time will soften
the blow TO me, Tikal," she added
mockiugly
rs hat your last word. LADY,"
Why do you asls?"
because more hant.s on IL than Won
Know. Listen! very soon all the men
In the city will be gathered ON this
place 70 hear your fathers words. and
70 decide whether he or I shall ruI.
Bee, already they assemble i'm the tenn.
PIE square. Promise 90 be my wife. and
In return ] will Weld 10 your father
and he shall rule for his LIES DAYS and
hsve bis way in all things Refuse and
i Will cling 20 power. and matters MAJ,