Abilene weekly reflector., 1896-04-09

sske-yes, EUr iUvc. ~ ases, ~, vasy
child. She was ambitious and she de.
sired this man. and thought to assure
greatness to her and to her children after
her. But see her wine has been turned
to vinegar and her pleasant fruits to
ashes. Her husband hates her with an
ever-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 plot? They plot to
make that child that shall be born Of
you, Maya, cacique in his room, and to
set you aud your outland husband up
rs regents till it shall be of an age to
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 imped from
the chamber.
| Now we sat gazing at each other in
horror, 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 moment Maya hid her face
in her hands and wept, and then she
sprang up, and fire in her eyes had
dried her tears
80 let it be-" she cried II care
nothing. At the least | won you, oh, my
love, and for some months, through all
our troubles, | have been happy at your
side, and, come good or come i'll, moth
ing can rob me of my memories. But
for you, fear, oh, my husband! fear
for YOU"
And, her passion past, she flung her
self into his arms and again began to
weep.
In due course the child was born, a
beautiful boy, almost white in color,
with his mothers starlike eyes and on
that same night we learned that Natal
had died in much torment and that
Nahua was delivered Of son.
Fourteen days went by. and MAYA.
now risen from her bed, was seated
with her husband and myself, while
behind us stood waiting lady holding
the sleeping infant in her arms, when
II was announced to us that an embas-
sy OF the great lords of the council
sought speech with her. Presently
they entered, and the spokesman, the
Lord Dimas, bowed before her and set
out his mission, saying:
I'VE have come to you, Lady Of the
Heart, on behalf Of the council and Of
the people, to rejoice with you in your
great happiness and to lay certain mat
ters OF the state before you. For some
months the people have grown weary
Of the expressions and cruelties Of
Tikal, who, in defiance of the laws of
the land has put many to death on sus-
picion OF their being concerned in plots
against his power. Further, but yes
terday 1t came to the ears Of the coun-
ell, through the confession Of one
whom he had employed to execute his
wickedness, that a plan was laid to
murder your husband your child and
the Lord Ignatio here
Indeed" said Maya, "and why was
my name omitted from this list?"
LADY, we do not know" he an
swered, "but it seems that the assas-
sins had orders to take you living and
to hide you away in a secret part of
Tikal's house."
Now the senior sprang to his feet and
swore great oath to be avenged upon
Tikal.
NAY, lord" said Dimas, "his person
is holy, and must not be touched, nor I,
need you have any further fear Of him,
for those whom he corrupted await,
their trial, and he himself Is watched
by day and night. Also not for long
will Tikal remain cacique Of the City OF
the Heart, for the council have met In
a secret session. to which you were not
and have decreed that he
shall be deposed because Of his iniqui-
ties and in accordance with the desire
Of the people"
Can cacique be deposed?" asked
Maya.
"Yes, lady, If he has broken the law,
for was not your father to be deposed
for this same reason? Also Tikal holds
his place not by right of birth but nv
treaty. You are the rightful heir to
Lady Of the Heart"
1T may be so," she answered coldly,
but | have renounced my claim, and I
do not desire to 20 back upon my
word"
III you have renounced It," said Di-
mas, "yonder is one to whom II passes,"
md he pointed to the sleeping infant.
'Yonder is the child Of prophecy, hope
If the people, and he It Is whom we
purpose to crown as our ruler, setting
you and your husband up to act for him
ill he reaches his full age"
May" said Maya, for thus shall he
become the mark Of Tikal's rage and be
,ut to death openly, or in secret, as 1t
nay chance"
mot so, lady, for in that hour when
lie is proclaimed Tikal will be taken
nto safe keeping, where he shall abide
or SO long as his life lasts" |,
"And when is this to be?" asked the
enor.
Tomorrow, at noon, upon the pyra-
mid, that the child may be solemnly
Inointed three days hence in the sane
uary on the night Of the Rising Of
Waters"
ut is foolish to crown babe, and
leither nor my husband seek this
said Maya. "If Tikal is to
We deposed because Of his crimes let one
i the great lords be set in his place un-
IL the child is old enough to rule"
although you and your husband are
o command us in the future, answered
)imas, sternly, It'll then you must
hey, lady, for the voice of the council