The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-02-21
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE CTTY or THE HEART

The CII1 OE The HEART.
While it was yet dark on the follow
ing morning we were awakened by the
voice of Zibalbay calling us.
''Arise," he said; lit is time to start
upon our road"
Dressing ourselves, we went into the
common room, where we found Zibal bay
and the Lady Maya.
Eat" said the old man, pointing to
food that was ready, land let us be go
ing"
Ten minutes later we were outside of
the house and on our way.
By degrees as the light grew we saw
that the country at our feet was shaped
like a bowl, whereof the mountain
range upon which we stood formed the
rim, and at the bottom of this bowl, fed
by numberless streams that had their
sources among the surrounding SHOWS,
lay the lake, the Holy Waters of this
people. OF this, however, we could as
yet see little, since the vast expanse be-
meath us lay hidden in volumes of mist
that moved and rolled like the face of
the ocean.
: Never before had we looked upon
anything so strange as this dense gar
ment of vapor while the light of heaven
gathered upon it's surface, tinging it
with lines and patches of color. It
seemed as though map of the world
was unrolled before US; continents,
seas, islands, and cities formed them
selves only to disappear in quick sue
ceSsion and assume new and endless
Shapes.
1T is beautiful, is it not?" said Maya.
''But wait until the mist breaks. Look,
1t is beginning"
As she spoke, of a sudden the sea of
mist grew thin and opened in its CEN
ter, and through the gap thus formed
showed first the pyramids and temple
tops and then the entire panorama of
the city Heart of the World floating as
it were upon the face of the Holy
Waters. 1t was far away, but now the
night fog no longer thickened it, so
clear was the atmosphere and so high
were we above it that it seemed to be
at our feet.
1t stood upon a heart-shaped island,
and round about the shores of this
island, stretching further than the eye
could reach, sparkled the blue waters
of the holy lake.
''There lies my country" said Maya,
with a proud wave of her hand. Does
it please you, white man?"
''It pleases me so well, Maya" he an
swered, that now less than ever can
understand why you wish to leave it."
Because, though lakes and noun
tains and cities full of wealth are fine
things, it is not to these but to the men
and women among whom we live that
we must look for happiness"
"Some people might think otherwise,
Maya. They might say that happiness
must be sought for in ourselves At
1ooS4 I could no ho,D,Dv- ~, c,,oI, 1o,,J
this"
You think so now" she answered,
meaningly. but when you have been
awhile in the city yonder you will think
otherwise. Ohr' she went on passion
ately, If indeed you care for me we
should never have crossed that noun
tain behind us
Here l am a great lady, and YOU viii
see the people in the streets bow them
selves to the ground before me; and if l
say that a man shall die, you will see
that man killed. Also here l have
wealth more than any white woman,
and you viii be fond of me for
that"
You are very unjust" he broke in.
angrily; 1t Is shameful that you should
speak to me thus for no cause"
Perhaps I am unjust" she answered
with a sob, but there are so many
troubles before us. First there is
Tikal-"
'What does Tikal want?" asked the
senior.
He wants to marry ME. or to become
cacique Of the city in my right, which
is the same thing; at least he will not
give me up without a struggle Then
there is my father, who serves two mas
tiers only, his gods and his country, and
who will use me like a piece in a game
If 1t suits his purpose; yes, and you, too.
Our good days are done with. the evil
ones have to come, and after them-the
night. Henceforward we shall find few
opportunities of speaking even, for I
shall be surrounded by officers and
waiting ladies, who will watch nv
every action and hear my every word,
and my father will watch me also"
Now / begin to be sorry that did
not take your advice and stop on the
further side of the mountain, answered
the senior do you think we can
escape there?"
No. II Is too late; they woald track
us down. We must go on now and meet
our fate, whatever it may he. Only
swear TO me by my gods or your own, or
whatever you hold dear. that YOU will
L
cleave to YOU" and taking his hand in
hers she looked up appealingly into his
face.
At this moment Zibalbay. who was
walking in front, lost in his own
thoughts, CHANGED to turn and see
them.
Come hither. daughter. and you,
white man" he said in a stern voice.
Listen, both of you. l am old, but my
sight and hearing are still keen. though
yOnder in the wilderness / took no heed
of much that / saw and heard Here in
my own land it is otherwise. Learn.
white man, that the Lady of the Heart
IS set far above you. and there | think
she will remain Do you understand
my meaning?'
Perfectly" answered the senior.
striving to control his anger. but.
chief, 1t is pity that you did not see
well TO tell me this before Had it not
been for what we and one dead were
able to do to save you, to-day your
bones would have been whitening in
the forest. Why did You not tell me
there that ! was no fit company for
your daughter?"
Because you were sent by the gods