Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-03-12

terday," she answered, setting her lips
and speaking very low; shat ! will
have nothing to do with him."
Nothing to do with him, grill Moth.
ing to do with himl Why, he's your
sfianced; you do not understand.
II understand well, father, but for
naught that can be offered to me upon
the earth will give myself in marriage
to man who has treated you and me
e my Cousin Tikal has done, a man
who could not keep his oath to you or
wait for me one single year."
"Cease TO be foolish" said Zibalbay.
"Tikal has erred. no doubt, but now he
would make atonement for bis error,
and II can forgive him SO can you.
Think no more Of the girls folly, Tikal,
but send for ink and parchment and
let us set down our contract"
II have the paper here, lord" said
Tikal, drawing roll from his breast,
"but, pardon mt, does the Lady Maya
consent2' ~
'Ay, ay, she consents"
II do not consent, father, and II you
drag me to the altar with yonder man
Twill cry out to the people to protect
me, or, failing their aid, viii seek
refuge in death by my own hand II
need be-"
Now Zibalbay turned upon his
daughter, trembling with rage, bnt,
checking himself Of q sudden, said
"Tikal, for moment this girl Of
mine Ia mad; leave Us and come back
In some few hours, when you shall find
her Of another mind. Go now, pray,
before words are said that cannot be
forgotten"
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 Zibalbay
spoke to his daughter.
Girl, he said, II know your heart,
and that your lips spoke lie when you
told us that 1t was because Of TRIALS
forgetfulness Of his vow and troth that
you will not marry him. There Is an
other reason Of which you have not
spoken. This white man is the reason.
You have suffered yourself 10 look on
him with longing, and you cannot pluck
his image from your breast Do not
peak truth?"
"You speak truth, father" she an
swered, placing her hand in that Of the
senior as she said the words. 40 you,
at least, l will not lie"
II thank you, daughter. Now, hear
me. Who and what are you that your
whims should stand between me and
the fulfllment Of my lifelong desire,
between your people and their redcmp.
tion? Must ali these things come to
nothing because OF the fancies Of a
love-sick girl, whose poor beauty, as 1t
chances by favor Of the gods, can avail
to bring them about?"
ut seems SO, father she said.
Everything else you, who are my
father, may require Of me, even to my
life, but my honor is my own"
what shall say to this headstrong
grip" gasped Zibalbay. "Speak, white
man, and say that you renounce her,
for surely your heart Is not so wicked
that 1t will lead you to consent to this
folly, and TO your own undoing, ia
stand between her and her destiny"
Now all eyes were fixed upon the
senior, who turned pale In the lamp
light and answered slowly
'Zibalbay, grieve to vex you, but
your daughters destiny and mine are
one, ner can command her to forsake
me and give herself in marriage to q
man she hates"
"Yet it seems that you could com
mand her to break her plighted trotl
for your sake, oh, most honorable white
man" said Zibalbay with a bitter
laugh.
"lIearken, friend Ignatio, for you at
least are not in love, tell your brother
there and this rebcllious girl which
way their duty lies"
"Zibalbay." ! said. II cannot plead
your cause and mine, though not to dc
so be our destruction, seeing that
have sworn that come what may will
not stand between these two. To-day
for the second time in my life, my plans
are brought to nothing by the passion
Of a woman, Well, so IL is fated, and
90 let it be-"
Zibalbay did not answer me, but
turning to the senior, said:
"Will you still cling to your purpose
white man, and take advantage Of my
daughters madness? II so, know thai
your triumph shall be short, for when
In some few hours, Tikal comes again
l will tell him all and give you over t.
his keeping to deal with as he wishes
Answer, then, and for the last time
Do you choose life or death?"
Il choose death" he answered, bold
ly, ''if the price Of life be the breaking
of my troth and the surrender Of my
bride to another man. If lgnatio herr
cannot forget his oath, how much les
can forget mine which | have sworl
with this lady? Therefore, till tn,
Lady Maya renounces me, for COON O.
evil, in death or in life, will cleave Il
her."
And in death or in life will cleav,
to you, beloved" she said Take sucl
vengeance as you wish upon us, m,
father, yes, II you wish. give over thi
man to whom my heart drew me across
the mountains and the desert, to die a
the hands Of Tikal, but know that h,
will hold me faster dead than he die
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