The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-07-25


ing placed IN such fashion that they
would be visible to the whole multi
tude.
To the People of the Heart the occa-
sion was a great one. seeing that but
little rain falls In their country, and
thus they depended for a bountiful har-
vest upon the inundntion Of the island
and OF the low shores that lay around
the lake, by its waters swollen with the
melted snow OF the great mountains on
the mainland. When the waters re-
treated then they planted their grain
In rich land, made fertile without labor
10 themselves by the mud, whence be-
fore the lake rose again they gathered
their corn and other crops.
When they had ended their praying,
and gifts of fresh flowers bad been
laid upon the altar by beautiful chill
dren chosen for that purpose, Tikal
blessed the people as high priest, and
the simple ceremony came TO an end.
Then Natal rose TO speak, telling
the people all things that had hap
pened, or so much of them as was ex-
pcdient that they should know. lie
told them of the death of Zibalbay, of
the setting OF the lost talisman In the
symbol, and of the writing that was
found therein, which he read aloud TO
them amid dead silence.
Then he told them how the Lady
Maya aud the senior had consented TO
be married In obedience TO the voice of
the oracle, and lastly, how she, the
Lady Maya, had desired that her cousin,
Tikal, should continue TO be cacique of
tho City of the Heart, that she might
have more leisure TO attend upon her
heaven-sent husband and TO be at rest
until that child was become man,
whose wisdom and power should make
them even greater than their forefa-
theirs had been.
When he had finished there was
much applause and other expressions
of Joy, and q 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 modostlv that 1t was
her lords will that 10 should talSe place
that very night In the banqucting hall
of the palace, and that great feast
should be celebrated in honor of 1t.
After this the talking came to an end,
Tilxal 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, l took ad-
vantage of the escort OF n friendly
noble and went IN see the ceremony OF
the closing OF the foodgate, "a huge
block OF marble that slid down a groove
into niche prepared 10 receive II,
where twas Fastened with great bars
of copper and scaled by certain officers,
although, as ! was told, the rising
water would not reach 1t for another
eight or ten days.
About midday / returned TO the
apartments that had been assigned Ia
me In the palace, and hearing that the
senior was still in attendance on the Lady
Maya 1 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 Moias came 10
lead us TO the old Indian doctor and his
daughter, and full of talk about the
preparations for his wedding that night.
l listened TO all he had to say and strove
earnestly to fall into his mood, but, as
1 suppose, without effect, for in The end
he fell into mine, which was but n sad
one, and began to talk regretfully of
the past and doubtfully of the future
Now did my best to cheer him up,
but with little avail, for be 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, Igna-
ito, for this marriage Is ill-omened, and
Ipray that what has been begun in
trickery may not end In desolation.
Also the future ;s black both for ron
and me. You came hore for n certain
purpose and will desire TO leave again
to follow your purpose, nor, although l
take this lady to wife, do l wish TO
spend my days in the City of tho
Heart. And yet IL would seem that un-
less we can escape, this is what we
must do"
Let us hope that we shall be able TO
escape" answered.
II doubt it, he kaid, for already /
have discovered that though we be
treated With all honor, yet we shall be
closely watched, or Mt least / shall for
| 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 IL has been fatcd
that women and their loves should
como between me, my ambitions and
my friends. From the moment that my
eyes fell upon Lady Maya, bound 20
the altar In the chapel OF the hacienda,
i felt that her great beauty would
bring trouble upon us, and IL would
seem that my heart did not lie 20 me-"
Without answering the senior lay
down on the bed, where he remained,
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 Ia 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 tho fashion OF this people,
he was declced out like victim for the
sacrifice. So soon as all was prepared
}he doors were flung wide, and six
officers OF the palace came through