The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-01-25
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY III. RIDER HAGGARD..
Strange Story Manuscript Bequeahed
a lexican Indian to His Friend and cenrade IN
Enxlis Jones.
Copyrighted. 1894, ~ r Rider Hazard

me in the palace, and hearing that the
senior was still in attendance on the Lady
Maya | ates1ny 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 rs 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.
I listened TO all he had to say and stlove
earnestly to fall into his Mood, but, as
suppose, without effect for in the end
he fell into mine, which was but q sad
one; and began to talk regretfully OF
the past and donbtful1y of the future:
Now, did my best to cheer him up,
but with little avail, for he shook his
head and said:
..Indian as she is, love Maya dearly,
and no other woman has been or can be
so much to me and yet am afraid, lgna-
l pray that what has been begun in
trichery 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 | wish to
spend nv days in the City of the
Heart. And yet it would seem that I'M
less we can escape, this is what we
must do"
'.Let us hope that we shall be able to
escape" l answered.
II doubt it," he said, s'for already l
have discovered that though we be
treated with all honor, yet we shall be
certai in reasons Still come what may,
trust that this marriage will make no
breach in our friendship, Ignatio."
II do not know. senior, though think
that for weeks it's 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 mbitions and
my friends From the moment that my
eyes fell upon Lady Maya, hound to
the altar ID 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
whether sleeping Or awake / 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 magnif-
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 declzed 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
cd 1xr <Nf sin
ing girls chosen for their loveliness,
: witch, 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:
thrown open and the singers set up a
love song, pretty enough, but so foolish
that I have forgotten it. We passed
the threshold and found that the great
i'sllr .,ss' ,"rnwded with guests arrayed
in their most brihiant attire, whereon
the lamplight shone bravery. Through,
this company we walked till we reached
an.open space at the far end of the hall,
around which, in 9 semieircle, 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 DIG not
move. Scarcely had they resumed their
seats when the, sound Of singing was
heard again, mingled with that of
music, and far away, ct tie foot OF the
long hall, appeared q band OF musicians
playing upon pipes Of reeds, clad in the
royal livery Of green and crowned with
oak leaves. After the musicians
marched, or, rather, danced, number
of young girls robed in white only. and
carr, ing 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 nay 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 girdle and
collar of precious emeralds; on her head
was set tiara of perfect pearls taken
in mast ages from the shellflsh of the |
lake, and round her wrists and ankles
were bangles of dead gold. Her wav- I
ina hair hung loose almost to her san
daled feet, and in her hand, as token OF
her rank, she bore a little golden scep--
ter, having ut one end great pearl
and at the other heart-shaped en-
erald: /
Now the bridegroom and the bride Z;
stood together in the open space sur.
rounded by the half circle Of the Coun- |!
ell Of the Heart, among whon was
given q seat, while behind them were
arranged the musicians and singing
rirls. and behind these again pressed
the glittering audience Of marriage
guests.
when all were at their places her |
aid arose and cried out the names and
titles Of the pair, reeiting briefly that
they were to be wed by the direct conn !;
mand Of the guardian god Of the city, |!
bv the wish Of the Council of the Heart, |
and hecanse of the love that they bore
one another. Next reading from .
written roll he published the text ct
the agreement whereby Maya re.
nounced her right as ruler IL favor OF
her Cousin Tikal, and, I noticed that
this agreement was received by she /
Company Ia cold silence and With some
few expressions Of disapproVal.
Lastly, from another roll he read !
list 81 the honeFs, offices, wealth, houses !
and servants which were thereby as
signed to the Lady Maya and her con
sort, and also to myself, their friend,
forsfho noaiuteuaneee Of their rank and |