Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-03-25
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE CITY OF THE HrARr

TIE CITY OF THE HEART.
While 1T was yet dark on the follow
ing morning we were awakened blythe
voice of Zibalbay calling us.
.'Arise, he said; lit is time to start
upon our road"
Dressing ourselves we went into the
common room, where we found Zibalbay
and the Lady Maya.
Eat" said the old man. pointing to
food that was ready, and let us be go
ing"
Ten minutes later we were outside of
the house and on our way
BY degrees as the light grew we saw
that the country at our feet was shaped
like bowl. whereof the mountain
range upon which we stood formed the
rim, and at the bottom of this bowl, fed
by numberless streams that had their
sources among the surrounding SHOWS,
lay the lake, the Holy Waters of this
yet see little, since the vast expanse be
meath us lay hidden in volumes of mist
that moved and rolled like the face OF
the ocean.
Never before had we looked upon
anything so strange as this dense gar
ment of vapor while the light of heaven
Rat updn it's surface, tinginR 1t
w;'i lines and patches of color. 1t
seemed as though a map of the world
was .unrolled before us; continents.
seas, islands. and cities formed them
selves only TO disappear in quick sue
cession and assume new and endless
shapes.
lit is beautiful. is it not?" said MAYA.
But wait until the mist breaks. Look,
1T is beginning"
As she spoke, of a sudden the sea of
mist grew thin and opened in it's cen
ter, and through the gap thus formed
showed first the pyramids and temple
tops and then the entire panorama of
the city Heart of the World floating rs
IT were upon the face Of the HOLY
Waters. 1t was far away but now the
night fog no longer thickened IL. so
clear was the atmosphere and so high
were lve above it that il seemed to be
mt olr feet.
IL stood upon "a heart-shaped island
and round about the shores of this
island. stretching further than the eve
could reach, sparkled the blue waters
OF the holy lake.
There lies my country" said Maya.
with proud wave of her hand. Does
- please you. white man?"
ut plcases me so well, MAYA" he an
severed, that now less than ever can
understand why you wish TO leave il. ."
'Beca1se. though lakes and noun
tains aid cities full of wealth are fine
things, il is not TO these but 10 the men
and women among whom we live that
we must look for happiness"
''SoD1e people might think otherwise.
Maya. They might say that happiness
must be sought for in ourselves. At
least ! could be happy in such land as
this"
you think 50 now" she answered.
meaningly but when you have been
awhile in the city yonder you will think
other wise: on she went on passion
stely, ''h indeed you care for me we
should never have crossed that noun
tain behind rs.
Here 4 am great lady, and you will
see the peOple in the streets bow them
selves o. The ground before me; and III
say that man shall die, you will sec
that man killed Also here I have
wealth more than any white woman,
and you viii be fond of me for
that"
you are very unjust" he broke in
anRrily; 1T IS shameful that you should
speak 20 me thus for no cause"
perhaps am unjust" she answered
with sob, but there are so many
troubles before US First there Is
THAI"
"what does Trkal want2~ asked the
senior.
. He wants 20 marry nc. or 20 become
caciquc 81 Tic city IN my right which
Is the same thing; at least he viii not
give me up without a struggle. Then
there Is my father, who serves two mas
ters only, bis gods and his country, and
who will use me like a piece in a game
II II suits his purpose; yes. and you, too.
Our good days are done with. the evil
ones have 90 come, and after them-the
night. HeDcefOrward we shall End few
opportunities OF speaking even, for I
shall be surrounded by officers and
waiting ladies, who will watch my
every action and hear my every word,
and my father will watch me also"
Now I begin 20 be sorry that I did
not take your advice and stop on the
further side Of the mountain, answered
sscsps ths-af~