The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-07-04

ing, and Libalbny, who as usual was
seated brooding at the. table, looked up
and saw him. What do you seek,
traitor2" he asked, angrily, the blood
flushing beneath his withercd skin.
would YOU kill us? If so, Stay on, for
thus shall / come the sooner To the
bosom of that God whose vengeance 1
call down upon YOU"
Il am no murderer, Zibalbay," an
swered Tilxal with dignity. IF you die
II will be by the command of the law
that You have broken and not by mine.
am here To speak with you. II you will
| come apart with me-"
Then speak on before these others
| or leave your words unsaid," he an
swered, 'for not one step will l stir
with you, who doubtless seek some OPP
portunity TO stab me In the back"
! "fet il is important that you should
hear what have to say, Zibalbay"
| Say on, then, traitor, OF CO."
Now Tilsal thought for awhile, look
ing doubtfully at Maya, from whose
fair face indeed he rarely took his eyes.
us il your wish that i should with
draw" she asked, shortly.
1T is not mine, said Zibalbay, "stay
where you are, daughter"
Listen, Zibalbay," said Tilxal, ives
terday before the gathering on the
pyramid l saw your daughter, the lady
Maya, and spoke with her, telling her
that now as always / loved her, al
though believing her To be dead, had
for reasons of the state taken an
other woman TO be my wife. Then
made her this offer: that If she would
consent TO become my wife, / would
put away Nahua, whom / had married.
Moreover l added this, that / would
| give up my place as cacique TO you.
| Zibalbay, whose II is by right, to hold
| for SO long as you should live, and
would not oppose you or your policy in
any matter. / told her, on the other
hand, that IL she refused 20 become my
wife / would surrender nothing, but
would put out my strength 10 crush
you and her, and these strangers, your
friends.
"She answered me with contempt,
saying that might do my worst, but
she would have naught TO say to me.
What happened aftcrward you know,
Zibalbay, and you know also the dan
ger in which you stand to-day, now
that power has left you and your very
life trembles in the balance"
He paused, and Zibalbay, who had
been listening 10 his words amazed,
turned TO Maya and said sternly:
"Docs this man lie, daughter?"
As she was about To answer, though
what she meant TO say i do not know,
Tilal broke i'm:
"This offer / made to her, and, that
IL may be put beyond doubt, now
make II TO her and you again. II She
will take me in marriage, for her sake
l will put away Nahua. l will lay
down my rule and set You in your place
again, with liberty so long as you shall
| 1t..,t 81, f,ll hn do
may suffer"
Zibalbay heard, and. rising, lifted his
head to the vault above him and said:
Il thank thee, o God, who, in an
swer 10 my prayers, has shown me
way of escape from the troubles that
beset me. TilSal, it shall be as you
wish, and we will swear our peace upon
the altar of the Heart. Doubtless
there will be trouble with Natal and
some of his following, but II we stand
together they can be overcome"
"Your pardon, Zibalbay," 1 inter
rupted; "the Lady Maya has not
spoken"
spoken he exclaimed. "why,
what should she say?"
"What | said TO my Cousin TilSal yes
terday," she answered, setting her lips
and speaking very low; that | will
have nothing To do with him."
Nothing 90 do with him, grill Moth
ing 10 do with hint Why, he's your
aiiianced; you do not understand"
Il understand well father, but for
naught that can be offered TO me upon
the earth will give myself in marriage
to "a man who has treated you and me
as my Cousin TilSal has done, man
who could not keep his oath TO you or
wait for me one single year"
cease 20 bc foolish" said Zibalbay.
"1'ilSal has erred, no doubt, but now he
would make atonemcnt for his error,
and II | can forgive him so can you.
Think no more of the girls folly, TilSal,
but send for ink and parchment and
let us set down our contract"
II have the paper here, lord" said
Tiltal, drawing a roll from his breast,
but, pardon me, does the Lady Maya
consent?'
"Ay, ay, she consents"
81 do not consent, father, and II you
drag me to the altar with yonder man
| will cry out 10 the people to protect
me, or, falling their aid, / win seek
refuge in death by my own hand IL
need be-"
Now Zibalbay turned upon his
daughter, trembling with rage. but,
checking himself OF a sudden, said:
mine Is mad; leave us and come back
in some few hours, when you shall find
her OF another mind. Go now, pray,
before words are said that cannot be
forgotten"
TilSal turned and went, and until the
gates az the far end OF the hall had
FLASHED behind him and his guards
there was silence. Then Zibalbay
spoke Co his daughter.
Girl" he said, II know your heart,
and that your lips spoke lie when you
told us that 10 was because OF Tikal's
forgctfulness OF his VOW and troth that
YOU will not marry him. There is an
other reason OF which you have not
spoken This white man is the reason.
You have suffered yourself TO look on
him with longing, and you cannot pluck
his image from your breast. DO not
speak truth?"
lyon speak truth, father" she an
swcrcd, placing her hand In that OF the
a. \