San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-03-08
--rer us nope that we snan be able to

escape" i answered..
81 doubt it." he said, "for already
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,
i trust that this marriage will make nc
breach in our friendship, Ignatio."
81 do not know, senior, though 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
eyes fell upon Lady Maya, bound to
the altar in the chapel of the hacienda,
i 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
trimmed and scented his hair and beard
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 heavy heart, he set out for the
banqueting hall.
AS we reached it the doors were
thrown open and the singers set up
love song, pretty enough, but so foolish
that l 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 the foot of the
Ill ho, ~ tnta
playing upon pipes of reeds, clad in the
royal livery OF green AMI crowned with
oak leaves. After the musicians
marched, or, rather, danced, number
of young girls robed in white only, and
carrying white lilies in their hands,
which they threw upon the floor to be
trodden by the feet of the bride.
Next came Maya herself, sight of
beauty such as stirred even my cold
heart and caused me to think more
gently of the senior, who had become
party to trick to win her. She also
was arrayed in white, embroidered with
gold, and having the symbol of the
Heart blazoned on her breast; about
her waist and neck were a girdle and
collar of precious emeralds; on her head
was set tiara of perfect pearls taken
in past ages from the shellfish of the
lake, and round her wrists and ankles
were bangles of dead gold. Her wav-
ing hair hung loose almost to her san
daled feet, and in her hand, as token of
her rank, she bore little golden scep-
ter, having at one end . great pearl
and at the other a heart-shaped en-
erald.
Now the bridegroom and tho bride
stood together in the open space sur
rounded by the half circle of the Coun-
Gil of the Heart, among whom / was
given o seat, while behind them were
arranged the musicians and singing
girls, and behind these again pressed
The glittering audience Of marriage
guests.
When all were at their places a her
aid arose and cried out the names and
titles of the pair, reciting briefly that
they were to be wed by the direct COM
mand of the guardian god of the city,
by the wish of the Council of the Heart,
and because of the love that they bore
one another. Next reading from a
written roll he published the text of
the agreement whereby Maya re-
nounced her right as ruler in favor of
her Cousin Tikal, and 1 noticed that
this agreement was received by the
company in cold silence and with some
few expressions of disapproval.
Lastly, from another roll he read a
list of the honors, offices, wealth, houses
and servants which were thereby as
signed to the Lady Maya and her con-
sort, and also to myself, their friend,
for the maintenance of their rank and
dignity and of my comfort
Having finished his task he asked the
senior and Maya whether they had
heard all that he had read by command
Of the council, and, if so, whether they
approved thereof.
They bowed their heads in assent,
whereupon the herald turned, and, ad-
dressing Tikal by all his titles, called
upon him in virtue of his priestly of
fee and of his position as chief of the
state to make these two one in the face
of the people according to the ancient
custom of the land.
Tikal heard him and rose from his
seat as though to commence the serv-
ice, then sank down again, saying:
Seek some other priest, herald, for
this l will not do"
CHAPTER XXIL
ppopuvoruo