The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-04-22
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY H. RIDER HAooARD.
A Strange Story, Taken From Manuscript Be-
queathed by an Old Mexican Indian to His
Friend and Comradc, IN English'
man Named Jones.
copyrighted, 1894. by H Rider Haggard.
CHAPTER xlx.-coNT1NuED,

That day-it was the day previous to
the night ofthe rising of the waters on
which we were to appear before the
Council of the Heart, in the sanctuary
Tikal came to visit us. To Maya he
bowed low, but on the senor and my
self he looked with an angry eye, with
the eve, indeed, of one who would have
killed us if he dared.
First, he offered her his sympathy
upon the death of her father. For this
she returned her thanks, quoting, how
ever, with O flash of her old spirit, q
certain proverb of her own people, Of
which the meaning is that the death OF
one man is the breath OF another,
"My father was your foe, Tikal," she
added, "and now that he is gone you
will be able to sleep and reign in peace"
"Not altogether so, lady" he an,
swered, "seeing that he had left behind
him more dangerous rival TO my
power, namely, yourself. will not
hide from you, Maya, what yea soon
must learn, that large portion OF the
people, and with them many OF the no
bles accusing me OF your fathers mur-.
der. clamor that should be deposed
and that YOU should be set up in my
place as cacique of the City OF the Heart
"Some few days ago l might have
stilled their outcry by commanding you
to be put to death, but now it is too
late, for since that time has fought for
YOU. and your death would doubtless
be followed by my own. When last we
met asked you a certain squestion, to
which YOU promised me an answer
when your father was dead or re-
covered, and to-day have come to hear
that answer.
"While Zibalbay lived had much to
offer him and you in exchange for your
hanSl | offered it freely. So high a
valTf aid / place upon it, now that 1t
SEQ fed lost to me, that was prepared
toylay down my power, to suffer your
Lather to violate the laws and to incur
the internal hate and active enmity oi
Mattai, his daughter and his party
Now / must make you lower bid, that
of equal power for yourself and for your
friends here, whatever they mayslesire
''Should you refuse me, this is the al
ternative:. Civil war in the city till ono
of us is destroyed, and instant death as
the portion of your friends,
'sBut, Maya, pray you not to refuse
me, for I have something more to offel
YOU, and it is my undying love. From
q child have always loved you, Maya
although YOU have treated me coldlI
enough, and now day by day love yol
more. Indeed, believed that you ant
your father were dead yonder in the will
derness, for then had faith in Natal
whom now | know to be rogue, ant
Mattai swore that it was written in tn
stars. Even so would not have marrle'
another woman, for my heart bled a
the loss of you, had not Natal mad
marriage the price of his support, with
out which l could not hope to b
anointed cacique, seeing that l ha
MANY Jealous enemies"
you have spoken, cousin" she ar
swered ''and your words have bee
pentle, and vet if l understand yo
right, some days since you were in tw
minds as to whether it would not b
better to murder me here in this darl
some hole where you placed us.
"If policy put any such thought int
nv mind. Mava, love drove it out again
he answered with confusion,
$50 you admit that this was so" sf
said HWell. day might come whe
policy might breed the thought an
love, grown weary, prove not war
enough to wither it. Also it seen
that even now, you threaten these, n
companions, with death, should refu
YOU your desire"
IF you should refuse me my desir
Maya, perhaps it will be for seer
reason of your own," and he scowled
the senior angrily, "a reason that Il
death of these men, or one OF them, wi
remove"
'sRe sure OF thing, Tikal, she brol
In sharply, shat such wicked de-
would put an end forever to your mop
Of making me your wife. Now liste
/ have heard your words and they ha
touched me somewhat, for think tn
~ although you have broken your oath
nv father, and your troth with me,
heart you are honest in your love. st
/ can give you no answer now, and I
this reason, that the answer does n
lie with me, but rather with the gods
.To-morrow night we appear beto
the High Court of the Council OF !
Heart, and you yourself shall set t
several portions Of the talisman in t
symbol that is on the altar in the sal
tuary, when the god shall declare
purpose. BY that will and not by
o,ss / must be guided in this and in
other thingsl" Tilxal thought awh
and answered;
And If nothing follows this ce
monv and tho oracles of the gods
ailept, what then?" :,
Z .'then, Tilral," she answered, soft