The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-04-10


them even greater than their forefa-
theirs had been.
When he had finished there was
much applause and other expressions
of JOY, and a spokesman from among
the people asked when the marriage of
the white man, Son of the Sea,
to the Lady Maya would take
place. This question she answered
in person, saying modestly that it was
her lords will that it should take place
that very night in the banqueting hall
of the palace, and that a great feast
should be celebrated in honor of it
After this the talking came to an end,
Tikal having said no word good or bad
beyond such as the duties of his Office
required. and, according TO the custom
of the country, many people, noble and
simple, came forward to congratulate
her who was about to be made a bride.
Weary of watching them and of hear
ing their pretty speeches, | took ad-
vantage of the escort of a friendly
noble and went to see the ceremony of
the closing of the hoodgate, a huge
block of marble that slid down a groove
into a niche prepared to receive it,
where it was fastened with great pars
of copper and sealed by certain officers,
water would not reach it for another
eight or ten days.
About midday l returned to the
apartments that had been assigned to
me in the palace, and hearing that the
senior was still in attendance on the Lady
Maya l ate my dinner alone with such
appetite as could find, and lay down
to sleep awhile.
/ was awakened from my rest by the
senior, who arrived looking merry as he
used to be before ever Molas came to
lead us to the old Indian doctor and his
daughter, and full of talk about the
preparations for his wedding that night.
/ listened to all he had to say and strove
earnestly to fall into his mood, but, as
l suppose, without effect, for in the end
he fell into mine, which was but sad
one, and began to talk regretfully Of
the past and doubtfully of the future.
Now, l did my best to cheer him up,
but with little avail, for he shook his
head and said:
Indian as she is, l love Maya dearly,
and no other woman has been or can be
so much to me, and yet l am afraid, Igna
ito, for this marriage is ill-omened, and
/ pray that what has been begun in
trickery may not end in desolation.
Also the future is black both for you
and me. You came here for certain
purpose and will desire to leave again
to follow your purpose, nor, although
take this lady to wife, do l wish to
spend my days in the City of the
less we can escape, this is what we
must do"
Let us hope that we shall be able to
escape" l answered.
Il doubt it." he said, ''for already l
have discovered that though we be
treated with all honor, yet we shall be
closely watched, or at least | shall for
certain reasons. Still come what may,
trust that this marriage will make no
breach in our friendship, Ignatio."
Il do not know, senior, though l think
that for weeks its shadow has lain be-
tween us, and | fear lest that shadow
should deepen. Also it has been fated
that women and their loves should
come between me, my ambitions and
my friends. From the moment that my
ewes fell upon Lady Maya, bound to
the altar in the chapel of the hacienda,
| felt that her great beauty would
bring trouble upon us, and it would
seem that my heart did not lie to me-"
Without answering the senior lay
down on the bed, where he remained,
whether sleeping or awake l do not
know, till the hour of sunset, when he
was aroused by the arrival of several
lords and attendants, who came to lead
him to the bath. On his return other
messengers entered, bearing magniti-
cent robes and jewels, the gift of Lady
Maya. to be worn by him and by me at
the ceremony. Then BARRIERS, having
~ Cd hi !, nd I'd
according to the fashion of this people,
he was decked out like victim for the
sacrifice So soon as all was prepared
the doors were flung wide, and six
officers of the palace came through
them, bearing wands of office in their
hands. accompanied by troop of sing
ing girls chosen for their loneliness,
which, to speak the truth, was not
small In the midst of these officers
and ladies the senior was placed, and,
followed by myself, who walked behind
with a heavy heart, he set out for the
banqucting hall.
AS we reached it the doors were
thrown open and the singers set up
love song, pretty enough, but so foolish
that | have forgotten it. We passed
the threshold and found that the great
hall was crowded with guests arrayed
in their most brilliant attire, whereon
the lamplight shone bravely. Through
this company we walked till we reached
an open space at the far end of the hall,
around which, in a semicircle, sat the
members of the Council of the Heart,
Tikal and his wife being placed in the
center of them, having Natal on their
right, and on their left that old priest,
Dimas, the foster brother of Zibalbay,
who had administered the oath to us.
As we advanced, with one exception
all the council rose and bowed to the
senior. That exception was Tikal, who
stared straight before him and did not
move Scarcely had they resumed their
seats when the sound of singing was
heard again, mingled with that of
music. and far away, at tie foot of the
long hall, appeared a band of musicians
playing upon pipes of reeds, clad in the
royal livery of green AMI crowned with
! oak leaves. After the musicians
marched. or, rather, danced, a number
of young girls robed in white only. and
carry ing white lilies in their hands,