The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-01-25

so that the red and cruel-looking gem
lay cleaning on her naked breast.
Maya bowed and muttered some words
of thanks, but saw that her spirit
failed her at the touch of the ominous
thing, for she turned faint and would
have fallen had not her husband caught
her by the arm. ........ IN 't5
While the senior and his wife were re-
ceiring gifts and listening to pretty
speeches. number of attendants had
brought tables laden with every sort OF
food from behind the pillars, where
they had been prepared, and at q; signal
the feast began. 1t was long and joy
GUS, though Joy seemed to have faded
from the face of MaYa, who sat at the
head of it: neither eating nor drinking.
but from time to time lifting the red
eye from her breast, as though it
seorched her skin. -
At length she rose, and, accompanied
by her husband, walked bowling down
tile hall to the courtyard. where bear
ers waited for them with carrying
chairs. In these they seated them
selves, and a procession having, been
formed, very long and splendid, though
will not stay to describe it, we started
to march round the great square to the
sound of music and singing, our path
being lit by the light of the moon and
hundreds of torches. Here IN this
11uare were gathered all the population
Of the City Of the Heart, men, women
and children, to greet the bride, each of
them. bearing flowers and q flaming
torch, and never have I seen any sight
more beautiful than this of their well.
come. The circuit Of the square being
accomplished the procession halted at
the palace gates, and many hands were
stretched out to help the. bride and
bridegroom from their litters.
It was at this moment that l.. who
was standing near, felt q man WIG WIS
wrapped in large feather cloaktpnsh
thing which cleaned like knife. By
instinct, as it were, cried: "Bewara,
my friend!" in Spanish, and In So pierc.
ing voice that it caught the SENIORS
ear. He swung round, for already he
was standing on his feet and as he
turned the man in the cloak rushed at
him and stabbed with the knife; But
being warned the senior was too quick
for him. Springing to one side with
the same movement he dealt the would
be murderer great buffet, that caused
him to drop the knife and. sent: him
staggering into the dense shadow of
the archWay. For some seconds no one
seemed to understand what had; hap
pened, and when they did and began to
search for the man, he was not to pc
found. Who he was or why he had at
tempted this cowardlv deed, was never
discovered, but for nay part have little
doubt but that either Tikal himself or
some creature of his was wrapped in
the dark feather cloak, and Thought
k1,-, l,;,,, 1f 1,;c rsuo1 TrloaH
as time went on, this belief took. firm
hold of the mind of the people, and
was one Of the causes that led to the
sapping of Iikal's power and populari-
ty. Very hastily the senior assured the
lords in attendance, who crowded
around him, that he had received no
manner of hurt, and then, after speaks
ing few brief words Of thanks he
withdrew into the palace with his wife
and saw him no more that night =,
Within few days of the senor's mar
rage we heard that Natal had been
seized with sickness, a kind of palsy,
together with a leprous condition ef the
arms that baf11ed all skill. For months
he lay in his house, growing gradually
worse, so said the physicians; but one
night remember it was three DAYS
previous to the birth of Alaya's CHILD
he appeared before Maya, the senor
and myself, as we sat together . me t!e
palace looking out: :pRgn r. know a;oH b;m.
For never before hsl 1 seen sight so
dreaolui. FRS .h94y was hloated, one
arm, his left, was swathed ia bandages,
his head shook necessarily, and the .lep:
rosy had seized his face, which was of
a liFid hue. " - r. 81
ssDo not shrink from me, ne began
in low, quivering voice, as he gazed
upon as with his whitening eye; "surely
YOU should not shrink, seeing that all
of you are partners in the crime that
has made Of me the loathsome thing
am Aye! deny it, if You will, but
know it. The vengeance of the god has
fallen upon me, his false servant, and it
has fallen justly. Moreover, be assured
that on You also shall that vengeance
also fall, for the Eye has seen. the.
Mouth. has. told. and the Heart has
thought upon your doom:
''Look upon me and learn how rich
are the wages of HIM who works in
EQUITY, and by my sufferings strive to
count the measure of your own. Per-
chance your cup is not yet full, per-
chance you have still greater sins to
work, but vengeance shall come, ! tell
you that vengeance shall come here and
hereafter. z.s gig 8. W
81 did this thing for my daughter'a
sake-yes, for love Of her, my only
child. She was ambitions and she dez
sired this man, and I thought to assure
prea tness to her and to her children after
her. But see her wine has been turned
to vinegar and her pleasant fruits to
ashes. Her husband hates her. with an
ever.growing hate. Now they scarcely
speak, or speak only to shower bitter
words upon each others heads.
more, not for long will he be caeiaue
of the City of the Heart, for his Jealous
rage has sopred all his mind; his deeds
are deeds of oppression and injustice;
already he is detested by the people,
and even those who loved him turn
from him and plot against him. Doyou
know what they plot? They. plot to
make that child that shall be. bprnof
you, Maya, cacique in his room, and to !
set you and Your ontland husband mp
as regents till it shall be Of an age TO
govern. ,5@... s8z.49s. .s..z.sss .s.4.z
30, you have planned cunningly, and
things look we'll for yop, but I say that
they shall not prosper. ;, 49,.
And, shaking his Withered arm il
our faces, he turned and limped from
the chamber.
Now we sat gazing at each other in
horror, for Though we none Of ns had |
any faith in the god he wprshiped, IN
our hearts we felt that this nan'spake
truth, and that the evil would evertake 4
us. For moment Maya hid her face
In her hands and wept, and then she |