Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1896-06-11
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY H. RIDER HAooARpy
q Strange Story, Taken Frsn Manuscript -
suesthed by an Old MEXICAN Indian to Hh
friesS and Conrsde. an EssiisA-
nan NanSd Jeses-
COPYRIGHTED. rs.. Ov 4 Rider Hsss.rd
CHAPTER xxlL-coSTISurn

~
CHAPTER XNlL-CoNIINUnD
While the senior and his wife were re-
oeiving gifts and listening 10 pretty
speeches, a number of attendants had
bro dght tables laden with every sort of
1ood from behind the pillars, where
they had been prepared, and at a signal
the feast began. II was long and Joy
Gus, though joy seemed to have faded
from the face of Maya, who sat at the
head of II, neither eating nor drinking,
but from time 20 time lifting the red
eye from her breast, as though IL
scorched her skin.
At length she rose, and, accompanied
by her husband, walked bowling down
che hall to the courtyard, where bear
ers waited for them with carrying
chairs. In these they seated them
selves, and a procession having been
formed, very long and splendid, though
Twill not stay 10 describe il, we started
10 march round the great square to the
sound of music and singing, our path
being lit by the light of the moon and
hundreds of torches. Here in this
square were gathered all the population
of the City of the Heart, men, women
and children, TO greet the bride, each of
them bearing flowers and a flaming
torch, and never have / seen any sight
more beautiful than this of their well
cor1e- The circuit of the square being
accomplished the procession halted at
the palace gates, and many hands were
stretched out to help the bride and
bridegroom from their litters.
II was at this moment that /, who
was standing near, felt a man who was
. wrapped in a large feather CLOAK push
past me, and saw that he held some
thing which cleaned like knife, :, By
instinct, as il were, cried: Il Beware,
nv friendi" IN Spanish, and in so pierre
e that 1t caught the senor's
e swung round, for already he
landing on his feet, and as he
turned the man in the cloak rushed at
him and stabbed with the knife. But
being warned the senior was too quick
for him Springing TO one side with
the same movement he dealt the would
be murderer a great buffet, that caused
him to drop the knife and sent him
staggering into the dense shadow of
the archwzy. For some seconds no one
seemed TO understand what had hap
pened, and when they did and began to
search for the man, he was not to be
found. Who he was or why he had at
tempted this cowardly deed, was never
discovered, but for my part have little
doubt but that either Tikal himself or
some creature Of his was wrapped in
the dark feather cloak, and thought
thus to rid him of his rival. Indeed,
rs time went on, this belief took firm
hold of the mind of the people, and
was one Of the causes that led to the
sapping Of Tilal's power and populari-
~. Very hastily the senior assured the
lords in attendance, who crowded
around him. that he had received no
manner of hurt, and then, after speak
ing few brief words of thanks he
withdrew into the palace with his wife
and saw him no more that night
Within few days of the senors mar
risge we heard that Natal had been
seized with sickness, a kind Of palsy,
together with q leprous condition of the
arms that baffied all skill. For months
he lay in his house, growing gradually
worse, SO said the physicians; but one
night remember 1t was three DAYS
previous TO the birth of Maya's child
he appeared before Maya, the senior
and myself, as we sat together In the
palace looking out upon the moonIit
garden. At first we did not know him,
Tor never before had / seen a sight so
dreadful. His body was bloated, one
arm, his left, was swathed in bandages.
his head shook necessarily, and the lep-
rosy had seized his face, which was Of
a livid hue.
~Do not shrink from me-" he began
in a low, quivering voice, as he gazed
upon us with his whitening eye; surely
You should not shrink, seeing that all
of you are partners in the crime that
has made of me the loathsome thing I
am Ayei deny it, il you will, but l
know it. The vengeance of the god has
fallen upon me, his false servant, and il
has fallen justly. Moreover. be assured
that on you also shall that vengeance
also fall. for the Eye has seen, the
Mouth has told. and the Heart has
thought upon your doom.
Look upon me and learn how rich
are the wages of HIM who works in
Equity, and by my sufferings strive to
count the measure of your own. Per-
chance you have still greater sins TO
work, but vengeance shall come, / tell
you that vengeance shall come here and
hereafter.
II did this thing for my daughters
sal<e-yes, for love of her, my only
child She was ambitious and she de-
sired this man, and / thought to assure
greatness to her and to her children after
her. Rsit see her wine has been turned
20 vinegar and her pleasant fruits to
ashes. Ter husband hates her with an
eVsr-growing hate. Now they scarcely
speak, or speak only to shower bitter
words upon each others heads.
More, not for long will he be cacique
of the City of the Heart, for his Jealous
rage has soured all his mind; his deeds
are deeds of oppression and injustice;
already he is detested by the people,
and even those who loved him turn
from him and plot against him. Do you
know what they plotf They plot to
make that child that shall be born of
you, Maya, cacique in his room, and to
set you and your outland husband MP
govern.
20, you have planned cunningly, and
things look well for you, but say that
they shall not prosper"
And, shaking his withered arm in
our faces, he turned and limped from
the chamber.
Now we sat gazing at each other in
horros for though we none of us had
any faith in the god he worshiped, IN
our hearts we felt that this man spoke
truth, and that the evil would overtake
us For a moment Maya hid her face
In her hands and wept, and then she
sprang up, and FIRE in her eyes had
dried her tears
so let q be-" she cried 81 care
pothing. At the least won You, Oh, nv
love, and for some months, through all
sur troubles. have been happy at your
sjdA and come good or come u. lsth-