Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-09-10

that the infant IN my arms would this
very night be anointed cacique of the
People of the Heart. Is it not so,
Dimas?"
1t is so, lady," he answered, ssand
learn that you are not the only ones
who are ON trial this night. Though
your case is taken first, that of Tikal.
the high priest. and others will follow;
but till then, in virtue of his rank and Of
fee, he sits as president of our council
Now TikaI sprang from his seat. but
Dimas turned upon him and said.
SJernly:
Keep silent, lord. or speak only to
fulfil the duties of your place. Your
trial shall be just. but know that there
is no hope of escape for you till it is
done seeing that your guards are dis
armed and all the paths are watched"
Tilzal seated himself again and Maya
went on:
ION that very night of the coming of
Lord Dimas, when 1 was alone in my
chamber, Lady Nahua, the wife of
Tikal. crept upon me and strove to
murder this my child" and she set out
the story telling how the senior and 1,
hearing her cries for help, had entered
the chamber and seized and bound
Nahua.
Then it was, brethren. that terror
took US and we fed. seeking to escape
a land where we could not live in safety
sin, and we leave our punishment in
your hands. Surely it was better that
we shoul0 strive to save the child so
that he might live to play his part,
whatever that may be. than that he
should be kept here to be butchered by
those whom you have raised up to rule
you"
When Maya had finished her speech
the senior and l addressed the council
in turn. confirming all that she had
said and submitting ourselves to the
Judgment of the brotherhood.
Now we We're commanded to fall
back, while the council consulted to-
gether, and there we awaited our doom.
Presently we were brought forward
again. and Tikal spoke to US, saying
that our sentence was postponed till
the charge against Nahua. the daughter
of Natal, and against himself, Tikal,
the cacique and high priest of the CITY
OF the Heart. had been considered, add
ing. in a slow and triumphant voice:
Let Nahua, the daughter of Natal,
who awaits without, be brought into
the presence of the Heart
We heard and gathered up our cour-
age to meet the advancing fate, for we
knew that death was on US, and that
for US there was no more pity or escape.
The door opened and Nahua came
through it. dressed in the robes of her
cASi C3S SISSA
that could be carried only by the wife
or mother of the cacique.
What is your pleasure with me,
lords?' she said pro udly after she had
made her obeisance to the altar.
Then the priest Of the Records rose
and read the charge, namely, that she
had attempted with her own hand to do
murder upon the body of the infant
child of Maya, Lady of the Heart, and
her husband, the white man, and also
that she had aided and abetted Tikal,
her husband, in various acts of cruelty
and misgovernment that were alleged
against him, asking her what she
pleaded in answer.
ITO the last charge. not guilty."
she said Let Tikal defend his own
sins. To the first, guilty. 1 did at
tempt to put an end to yonder brat. but
Maya discovered me, and l was caught
and bound
Surely, brethren said Dimas, ris-
ing, I'VE need carry this matter no fur
Their. We have heard the evidence of
Lady Maya and the others, and now
Nahua confesses to her crime. She
confesses that she attempted to take
the life Of him whom she knew to be
the sacred child, the hope of the Peo-
pie of the Heart, and for such sin it
seems to me that there is but one pun
ishment, though it is terrible, and she
who must suffer it is a woman and of
high rank"
''Stay!'' broke in Nahua ''You have
not heard me out, and have the right
to speak before am condemned to die.
You charge me with having attempted
to take the life of the sacred child. the
hope of the People of the Heart, and
had done this, doubtless I should be
worthy of your doom, whereas. in truth,
l am worthy of your praise.
Lords of the Heart, this child whom
you adore, the Heaven-sent child of
prophecy, whom tonight you would
anoint as your cacique, deposing Tikal,
my husband, and who. as you believe,
shall be the star to light our race to
greatness and to victory, is living lie,
fraud and baStard.''
Now a confusion broke out among
the council, and angry voices called to
her to cease her blasphemies, but she
won silence and went on:
Hear me out. pray you, for even If
I wished it 1 should not dare to speak
thus at random, but am prepared with
proof of every word utter. You think
that would have killed this child to
wiring the heart of my rival Maya, and,
indeed, wish to wiring it. and that
would set my own son in his place, and,
indeed. wish to set him there. and yet
these were not my reasons for the deed.
LTO BE CONTINUED
The Eyes OF Fishes.
Down to the depth of 200 fathoms.