The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-01-11

know. In front of this cleaning pile
stood q chest, unlocked, that the senior
opened. IL was packed with priestly
ornaments Of gola set with great en-
eralds. Maya picked out belt from
the box and gave it to me. saying: =.
Take it, Ignatio, since you love
such trinlSets. 1t will set off that robe
of yours.
took it and put it on, not over my
robe, bnt beneathit.
1Fearied at length by the sight OF
so much treasure we returned to Zibal-
bay, who was seated as we left him,
lost in thought.
think it nlust.i have been in the early
afternoon Of the day following that on
which we were imprisoned that Tikai
visited us, accompanied only by four
guards. >s.-'4+ s.
:. "a small band said the senior, as he
watched them advance, "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 nc 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
aud saw him. What do You seek,
traitor?" he asked, ansrily, the blood
flushing beneath his witlaered> skin.
Would you kill us? If SO, slay on, for
thus shall / come the sooner to the
bosou, OF that God whose vengeance !
call down upon you"
II am no murderer, .Zibal bay an
swered Tillal with dignity. IF You die
it will be by the command Of the law
that you have broken and not by mine
/ am here to speak with you, if you will
come apart with me-" 49, a~.a.~
''rhen speak on before these others
or leave your words unsaid, " he an
swered, ''for not one step will I stir
portunity to stab me in the back"
''Yet it is important that you should
hear what have TO- say, Zbalbay,"
. Say on, then, traitor, or 60"
Now Tilsal thought for awhile, look
ing ,dorbtfs,lly at Maya, from whose
fair face indeed he rarely took his eyes
s'Is it your wish that J. should with
draw" she asked, shortly. IT,
''It is not 1nine,,'' said Zibalbay, "stay
where You are, daughter -
Listen, zibalbay," said Tikal, ':yes-
terday before the gathering on the
pyramid l saw your daughter, the lady
Maya, and spoke with her, telling her
that now as always l loved her, al
pcllCRlu4 kACI W DC aEdu; L icA
for. reasons. of the state. taken an
other woman to be my wife. Then I
made her this offer: that il she would
consent to become my wife, I would
put away Nahua, whom [ had married.
Moreover l added this, that would
give up my place as cacique to you,
Zibal bay, whose it is by right, to hold
for so long as you should live, and
would not oppose you or yonr policy in
any matter. l told her, on the other
hand, that If she refused to become my
wife would surrender nothing, but
would put out my strength to crush
you and her, and these strangers, your
friends.
saying that might do my worst, bat
She would have naught to say to me-
What happened afterward you know,
Zibalbay, and you know also the dam
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,
Til1al broke in:
This offer / made to her, and, that
1T may, be put beyond a doubt, now I
make it to her and you again. # she
will take me in marriage, for her sake
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.
Zibalbny heard, and, rising, lifted
his head to the vault above him and
said:> ~e -" 81
=; 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-. Jikal, 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, butt we stand
together they can be overcome"
''Your pardon, .Zibal bay" / inter-
rupted; ''the Lady Maya has not
spoken" ..@.~-. 49,.
"spokenv' he exclaimed. "Why,
what should she say?" -:.s,.
what said to my Cousin Tikal yes
and speaking very, low; ''that.. L will
have nothing to do with him. - !
Nothing to do with him, girl! Moth :.
ing to do with him! Why, hes your
afianced; you do not understand.
II understand we'll, father, but for
naught that can be offered to me upon
the earth will give myself inmarriage
to man who has treated you and me
as my Cousin Tikal has done, man
who could not keep his oath to you or
wait for me one single year"
''Cease to be foolish said zibal bay.
"Tikal has erred, no doubt, but now he
would make atonement for his error, 4
and if can forgive him SO can you.
Think no more of the girlsfolly, Tikal,
but send for ink and parchment and
let us set down our contract"
II have the paper here, lord," said
Tikal, drawing q roll from his breast,
"but, pardon me, does the Lady Maya
consent2' .a.--.. ..-, 49,.
lay, ay, she consents" o. =,:9.
II do not consent, father, and If you
drag me to the altar with yonder man
l will cry out to the people to protect
me, or. failing their aid, win seek
refuge in death by my own hand II
need be- J.
Now Zibalbay turned upon his
daughter, trembling with rage, but, 4
checking himself Of a sudden, said:
'<Tikal, for moment this girl OF
mine is mad; leave us and come back 4
in some few hours, when you shall find
her of another mind. Go NOVEL pray,
before words are said that cannot be
forgotten" Y -ss.. ~
Tikal turned and went, and until the
gates at the far end Of the hall had
clashed behind, him and. his guards
there was silence. Then s. Aibalbay
Sr,ol<e .fn his 1a11uhtar. 80 ~ ~