Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-05-13
HEART OF THE WORLD.
Rv H. RIDER HA0GARD.
4 Strange Story, Taken From . Manuscript r.
questhed By an Old Mexican Indian 10 His
Friend and Comradc, an English
man Named Jones.
copyrighted. 1874. by IL Rider Hagxard
CHAPTER XxIL-cosrIsurp

ePeecneS, u NUMBER OF attendants had
Drought tables laden with every sort of
food from behind the pillars, where
they had been prepared, and at a signal
the feast began. II was long and low
Gus, though JOY seemed to have faded
from the face of Maya, who sat at the
head OF 1T, neither eating nor drinking.
but from time to time lifting the red
eye from her breast, as though il
scorched her SKIN.
At length she rose, and, accompanied
by her husband, walked bowling down
the hall to the courtyard, where bear
ers waited for them with CARRYING
chairs. In these they seated them
selves, and 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
square 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 flaming
torch, and never have l seen any sight
more beautiful than this of their wei
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 littcrs
1t was at this moment that |. who
was standing near, felt man who was
wrapped in a large feather cloak push
past me, and saw that he held some
thing which cleaned like n knife BY
instinct, as it were, cried Beware,
my friend in Spanish, and in so pierre
ing voice that it caught the senor's
ear. lie 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
Tor him. Springing To one side with
the same movement he dealt the would
be murderer a 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 be
found. Who he was or why he had at
tempted this cowardly deed, was never
discovered, but for my part have little
doubt but that either Tikal himself or
some creature of his was wrapped in
the dark feather cloak, and thought
thus TO rid him of his rival Indeed,
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
sapplng OF Tilals 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 speak
ing a few brief words of thanks he
Withdrew INTO the palace with his wife
and saw him no moro that night
Within few DAYS of the Scnor's mar
mace we heard that MaStai had been
Ii 4 ,4 al
together with lcproUS condition of the
arms that balIied all skill. For months
ne lay IL ms house, growing gradually
worse, 50 SAID the physicians: but one
night remember il was three DAYS
previous TO the birth OF Mayas child
he appeared before Maya, the senior
and myself, as we sat together in the
palace looking out upon the moonlit
garden. At first we did not know him.
for never before had | seen a sight SO
dreadful. His body was bloated. one
arm, his left, was swathcd i'll bandages.
his head shook necessarily, and the lep-
rosy had seized his face, which was of
a livid hue.
Do not shrink from me-" he began
IN low, quivering voice, as he paZcd
upon us 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 1t. The vengeance of the god has
fallen upon me, his false servant, and il
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
Iquity, and by my suffcrings strive TO
count the measure of your own Per
ehance 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.
Il did this thing for my daughters
sake-yes, for love of her, my only
child. She was ambitious and She de-
sired this man, and thought TO assure
greatness to her and 20 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 10 shower bitter
words upon each others heads.
More, not for long will he be cacidue
Of the City Of the Heart, for his Jealous
rage has sOured 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. Do you
know what they plot2 They plot TO
make that child that shall be born of
you. Maya, cacique in his room. and to
set you and your outland husband up
as regents till it shall bc Of an age 20
govern.
20. You have planned cunningly. and
things look well for you, but / say that
they shall not prosper"
ana, shaking his withcred arm in
our faces. he turned and limped from
the chamber.
Now we sat gazing at each other in
horror, for though VIC none Of us had
any faith In the god he wOrshiped. IA
our hearts we felt that this man spoke
truth, and that the evil would ovcrtake
rs. For moment Maya hid her face
IN her hands and wept, and then She
sprang up, and Gre in her eyes had
dried her tears.
so let 10 be" she cried II care
nothing At the least won YOU. Oh nv
love, and for some months. through af1
our troubles, ] have been happy al your
side, and, come good or come iIl. moth.
ing can rob me 81 my memories But
Tor you, fear. oh, my husband fear
for you
md, her passion past. sho flung hor-
SELF into his arms and aglin began -
weep.
In due course the child was born. a
beautiful boy, almost white in color