The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-04-29

~ THE MARRIAGE OF MAYA. 81
Presently the door opened, and the
Anor was brought into the sanctuary,
! he thought to his death, for l saw
hat his teeth were set, and that his
md clenched, as though to defend
lmself, but as he came the most Of the;
Nncil rose and bowed to him, saying:,
s'Hail to you! Son OF the Sea, Fa-
red of Heaven, Father foreordained
the Deliverer to come!"
Then he knew that the plot had sue
ceeded, and uttered great sigh OF re-
lief.
z "Hearken, white lord" said Natal,
for Tikal sat still and scowled on him
in silence, ''the gods have spoken by
their oracle. As zibalbay thought so
it is, and your feet have been led for
purpose to the gates OF the City OF the
Heart. Listen to the words OF the
gods" and, taking the tablet, he read
TO him the false prophecy. Now
Nehoose, white man. Win you take the
Nady Maya to. wife, or viii you be put
10 death, in that, having wandered
10 the City of the Heart, you refuse to
Sbey the command of the gods?"
INow the senior thought, and an
vered:
is"The man would be foolish who hesi-
tied between death and so fair and
kect q bride. Still, this is matter
hat cannot decide alone. What says
. the Lady MayaP"
"She SAYS answered Maya, shat,
although this is marriage for which
she did not look and it is new thing
that q daughter of the Heart should
take stranger of less ancient blood to
husband, the will of Heaven is her
will, and the lord that Heaven chooses
for her shall be her lord" and she
stretched out her hand to him.
He took it, and, bending down, kissed
her fingers, saying:
,sMay be worthy of your choice,
lady"
Now, thought that the ceremonies
were finished and was glad, for l grew
weary of assisting at this farce but
the old priest, Zibalbay's foster broth
er, rose and said:
zone thing more must be done
brethren, before we leave this sanctua
rv. and it is to swear in these strangers
as members of the council"
SAY! it is well thought OF. Let then
he sworn, and remember that to break
the oath is DEATH" was the answer.
Then we went out, accompanied by
iMava. Natal and the escort of priests
passed through the halls and passages
out into the courtyard OF the temple
and thence to apartments in the palace
where we refreshed ourselves witt
food. for we were weary. The trick hat
succeeded, the ordeal was past, and 10
the present at least we were no longe
in danger of our lives; more, the powe
of Mattai was confirmed, and HI
daughter was assured in her position
as the wife of Tikal, and the senior AM
the Lady Maya were about to attail
the fullness of their desire and to be dc
clared one in the presence OF the pee
pie. 800
Well, the thing was done, and it wa
useless toregret it or to think OF Tn
future, SO turning to Natal aske
him what was to happen on the pyrf
mid.
"There will be great gathering c
the people," he answered, "as is cu'
tomarv at dawn after the night OF tn
Rising of Waters, and there they will
told all that has happened in the san,
tuary. and then, if it is their. will, L
lsal will be confirmed as cacique, az
cording to the bargain, and eitht
Ssto-dav or tomorrow the white ma
here will become the husband OF tn
Lady Maya, in ORDER" he added, with
sneer. shat of their union may
born the Deiiverer who is to be. Nov
IL Won are ready, 1t is time for us to g
for fhe multitude Is gathered and Q
escort awaits us without"
Leaving the palaces we placed on
selves in the center OF party OF n
bles and guards who were IN atten
ance, and marched across the courtya,, "a,
and up the steps OF the pyramid; IL
night was growing gray with the orea
inc of the dawn, and in the pearly ng
through which the stars shone FAINT
we perceiyed that bands OF priests al
mobiles, wrapped in their broidered s.
anes. for the morning air was chill
stood in their appointed places roul
the altar.
IN front of them were ranged t
dense masses OF the people, drawn he
to make their prayers upon this lei
dav. and also by desire to learn t
fruth as to the death OF Zibalbay, I
fate of the strangers who had accom-
MED him from the unknown lands, I
decision Of the council as to the succ
cor to the place and power OF eaclq'
and, lastly, whether or no tne oracie
the god had spoken to his priests uP
this or any other matter when tne \
talisman was set in its place upon
altar.