Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-08-06


had been discarded by the priests and
cast aside as worthless; why, do not
know. In front of this cleaning pile
stood a chest. unlocked, that the senior
opened. It was packed with prlest1y
ornaments of gold set with great en-
eralds Maya picked out a belt from
the box and gave it to me, saying:
'.Take it, Ignatio, since you love
such trinlxets. It will set off that robe
of yours"
/ tock it and put it on, not over my
robe, but beneath it.
Wearied at length by the sight of
so much treasure we returned to Zlba1-
bay, who was seated as we left him.
lost in thought.
I think it must have been in the early
afternoon of the day following that on
which we were imprisoned that Tlkal
visited us, accompanied only by four
guards.
"a small band" said the senior, as he
watched them advance, 1'but enough to
put us to death who are unarmed-for
all our weapons had been taken from
us-if such should be their will
Have no fear, friend,' said Maya.
''they will not do murder so openly"
By now Tikal stood before us bow
ing, and Zibalbay, who as usual was
seated brooding at the table, looked up
and saw him. What do you seek,
flushing beneath his withered skin.
Would you kill us? If so, slay on, for
thus shall 1 come the sooner to the
bosom of that God whose vengeance
call down upon you"
81 am no murderer, Zibalbay," an
swered Tibal with dignity. IF you die
it will be by the command of the law
that you have broken and not by mine.
I am here to speak with you. if you will
come apart with me-
"Then speak on before these others
or leave your words unsaid," he an
swered, for not one step will 1 stir
with you, who doubtless seek some OPP
portunity to stab me in the back"
yet it is important that you should
hear what have to say. Zibalbay."
Say on, then, traitor, or 60"
Now Til1al thought for awhile, look
ing doubtfully at Maya, from whose
fair face indeed he rarely took his eyes
SIS it your wish that 1 should with
draw?" she asked, shortly.
1T is not mine,'' said Zibalbay, ''stay
where you are, daughter"
terday before the gathering on the
pyramid 1 saw your daughter, the lady
Maya, and spoke with her. telling her
that now as always l loved her, al
though believing her to be dead, had
for reasons of the state taken an
other woman to be my wife. Then I
made her this offer: that if she would
consent to become my wife, I would
put away Nahua, whom had married.
Moreover I added this, that 1 would
give up my place as cacique to you,
Zibalbay, whose it is by right, to hold
for so long as you should live, and
would not oppose you or your policy in
any matter. I told her, on the other
hand, that if she refused to become my
fn / dow h1zf
would put out my strength to crush
you and her, and these strangers, your
friends.
''She answered me with contempt,
saying that might do my worst, but
she would have naught to say to me.
What happened afterward you know,
Zibalbay, and you know also the dan
ger in which you stand to-day, now
that power has left you and your very
life trembles in the balance"
He paused, and Zibalbay, who had
been listening to his words amazed
turned to Maya and said sternly:
docs this man lie, daughter?"
AS she was about to answer, though
what she meant to say do not know,
Tikal broke in:
''This offer made to her, and, that
it may be put beyond a doubt, now
make it to her and you again. If she
will take me in marriage, for her sake
| will put away Nahua. [ will lay
down my rule and set you in your place
again, with liberty SO long as you shall
live to work such follies as the gods
may suffer"
Zibalbay heard. and. rising, lifted his
head to the vault above him and said:
Il thank thee, o God, who, in an
SWer to my prayers, has shown me a
way of escape from the troubles that
beset me-. Tikal, it shall be as you
wish, and we will swear our peace upon
the altar of the Heart. Doubtless
there will be trouble with Natal and
some Of his following, but if we stand
together they can be overcome"
Your pardon, Zibalbay," I inter
rupted; the Lady Maya has not
spoken"
Spoken he exclaimed. '.Why,
what should she say?''
What / said to my Cousin Tilzal yes
terday," she answered, setting her lips
and speaking very low; ''that I will
have nothing to do with him"
Nothing to do with him, girl! Moth
ing to do with him! Why, he's your
affianeed; you do not understand"
Il understand well. father, but for
naught that can be offered to me upon
the earth will I give myself in marriage
to man who has treated you and me
as my Cousin TilAal has done, a man
who could not keep his oath to you or
wait for me one single year.
Cease to be foolish" said Ziba1bay.
'Tillal has erred, no doubt, but now he