Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-05-13

the people. to rejoice with you in your
great happiness and to lay certain mat
tiers CT 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 IL came TO the ears of the coun-
ell, through the confession of one
whom he had employed to execute his
wickedness, that 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 il seems that the assas-
sins had orders to take you living and
10 hide you away in secret part of
TRIALS house"
Now the senior sprang to his feet and
swore great oath to be avenged upon
Tikal.
Nay, lord" said Dimas, "his person
Is molly, and must not be touched nor
need you have any further fear of him.
Tor 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 lave met in
secret session, to which you were not
summoned, and have decreed that he
shall be deposed because of his iniaui-
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 Tilxal holds
his place not by right of birth but by
treaty. You are the rightful heir TO
Zibalbay, Lady of the Heart"
1t may be So" she answered coldlv.
but have renounccd nv claim, and |
do not desire to go back upon nv
word"
III you have renowned it." said Di-
mas, 'yonder is one to whom il passes, {"
and he pointed to the sleeping infant.
1onder is the child of prophecy, hope
OF the people, and he it is whom we
purpose to crown as our ruler. setting
You and your husband up to act for him
Till he reaches his full age"
Nay" said Maya, for thus shall he
become the mark of Tikal's rage and be
put to death openly, or in secret, as it
may chance"
Not so, lady, for in that hour when
he is proclaimed Tikal will be taken
into safe keeping. where he shall abide
for so long rs his life lasts"
And when is this to be?" asked the
senior.
Tomorrow, at noon, upon the pvra-
mid, that the child may be solemnlv
anointod three days hence in the sane
tuary on the night of the Rising of
Waters"
1t is foolish to crown a babe. and
neither | nor my husband seek this
a. "a SnI1
be deposed because of his crimes let one
of the great lords be set in his place un-
til the child is old enough to rule"
Although you and your husband are
TO command us in the future. answered
Dimas, sternly, It'll then YOU must
obey, lady, for the voice of the council
is supreme, and it carries out the will
of its founder and invisible President.
the Heart of Heaven. The council has
determined that the Heaven-sent child
OF whom you are the earthly parents
must take his own"
As You WILL" said MAYA, with a
sigh, and presently they went.
That evening the senior and I attend
ed feast at the house of one of the
mobiles. whence we returned somewhat
late. Having dismissed those who had
escorted us, | walked with him as far
as the door of his private chambers.
purposing to leave him There. but he
bade me enter, for he wished TO talk
with me about the events of the day
and this forthcoming ceremony of the
amounting of the child
Accordingly / did so, and passing
through the first chamber we came to
the second, beyond which lay his sleep
ing room. Here we halted by an open
window, and / approached "a lamp. for
wished to smoke and had no light.
AS / bent over it something caught
my ear and i listened. since il seemed
TO me that through the massive doors
OF the bedchamber | heard the
sound of woman's voice CRYING for
help. Instantly / flung them open
and rushed thither by way of an ante
room, calling to the senior as | went. I
did not arrive too soon, for in the bed
chamber itself "A strange sight met nv
eyes. AT the foot of the bed stood a
cradle in which lay the child, and near
1T two women struggled. One of these.
IN whom | knew Nahna, the wife of
llkal, held copper knife in her hand.
ana the other, Maya, gripped her round
inc body and arms from behind, so that
strive as she would, she could not free
herself TO use it. Still, of the two
women, Nahua was the heavier and.
though slowly, she dragged the other
closer TO the cradle.
Indeed. as | reached the room She
wrenched her right arm loose and
raised it TO strike at the infant with the
knife. But there the matter ended.
for at that moment L caught her round
the waist and threw her back so that
she fell heavily on the floor, letting
drop the knife in her effort to save her
sely. She sprang 10 her feet and ran
toward the door. there TO be met nv the
senior, who seized her and held her fast