Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-11-09

THE SUMMONS
AS l walked down the street of the
village met my friend with whom
had stayed when first came to Cum
arvo
II was seeking you. The scroll has
been found, said he, handing ie to me
Good, L answered, 81 will study II
tonight" and continued my walk
thinking little more about the matter
TOR my mind was full of other things.
The air was pleasant and the even
Ing fine, so that did not return to the
house till the moon rose. AS passed
up the path a man stepped SO suddenly
from the shelter of bush in front OF
me, that l drew my machete thinkinp
that he meant to do me mischief.
Stay your hand, lord" said the man
saluting me humbly, and at the same
time giving the sign Of brotherhood
ut Is many years since we met, so per
chance you may have forgotten me
still, you will remember my name; an
Molas, your foster brother"
What brings you here, Molasq" ]
asked; when last heard Of you, YOU
were dwelling far away in Chiapas."
"a strange matter, business of the
heart, o lord of the heart, which.
deemed so pressing that l have Jour
neyed over land and sea to find YOU,
Have you place where 1 can speak
with you alone?"
Follow me-" said, wondering, and
led him to my own chamber, where ]
gave him food and drink, for he was
weary with travel.
Now set out your business" said.
First show me the token, lord. ]
desire to see 1t once more for a purpose
of my own"
l rose and closed the shutters of the
window, then l barred nv breast.
revealing the ancient symbol. For
awhile he gazed upon it, then said: cit
Is enough. Tell me, lord, what is the
saying that has descended with this
trinl1et."
The saying is, Molas, that when this
half that wear is reunited with the
half that is wanting, then the Indians
shall rule again from sea to sea, as they
did when the heart was whole"
THAT is the saying, lord. We learn II
In the ritual that is called Opening Of
the Heart, do we not? and in this ritual
that half which you wear is named
Day. since it can be seen, and that
half which is lost is named Might,
since, though present, it is not seen, and
it is told to us that the Day and the
Night together will make one perfect
circle, whereof the center is named the
Heart of Heaven of which these
things are the symbol. Is it not SOP"
1T is so, Molas."
"Good. Now listen. That which was
lost Is found, the half which is named
Night has appeared in the land, for i
have seen IT with my eyes, and it is to
tell you Of it that have travelled
hither."
s!Speals on" said.
ruined temple, and to that temple have
come man and woman, his daughter,
The man is old and fierce-eyed, terri
bic man, and the girl is beautiful ex-
ceedingly.
There in the ruins they have dwelt
these four months and more, and the
man practices the art of medicine, for
he is great doctor, and has wrought
many cures, though he takes no money
In payment, but food only.
Now it CHANGED, lord, that my wife,
whom married but two years ago,
was very sick, SO sick that the village
doctor could do nothing for her.
Therefore the fame of the old Indian
who dwelt in the ruined temple having
reached me, determined to visit him.
He was an aged man, clad in linen
robe only, very light in color, with long
white beard and hair, nose hooked
like hawks beals, and fierce eyes that
seemed to pierce those he looked upon
and to read their most secret thoughts. "
Greeting, BROTHER he said, speak
ing our own tongue, but with a strange
accent, and using many words that are
unknown to me. What brings you
here?'
'Then he looked at me awhile, and
asked, slowly:
"'Say, brother, are you sick at
heart?
"Now, lord, when heard those words
of which you know the meaning l was
so astounded that almost fell back
ward down the ruined stair, but recov-
ering myself tried him with sign, and
10! he answered it. Then I tried him
with the second sign, and the third,
and the fourth, and SO on up to the
twelfth, and he answered them all,
though not always as we use them.
Then paused, and he said:
You have passed the door of the
sanctuary; enter, brother, and draw on
to the altar
''But | shook my head, for could
not. Next he tried me with various
signs and strange words that have to
do with the inmost mysteries, but l was
not able to answer them, though at
times saw their drift.
"'You have some knowledge he
said, yet you but stand at the foot of
the pyramid, whereas watch the stars
from Its crest, warming my hands at
the eternal fire.
None of my order have more,
lord answered, 'savc the very high
est
"Then there are higher in the land?'
he asked, eagerly, but started sudden
ly, and, looking round, went on without
waiting for an answer: You are in sor-
row, child of the heart, and have come
from one who was sick to the death; to
your business, and perchance we will
speak of these matters afterwards
First, lord, I said, I have brought
an offering, and set down basket at
his feet.
Gifts are good between brethren, )
he replied; moreover, in this barren
place food is welcome. Come hither,
daughter, and take what this stranger
brings
AS he spoke lady came forward
through the archway, dressed, like her
father, In a white robe of fine fabric,
but somewhat worn. looked at her,
and 1t is truth, lord, that for tho second
time went near to falling. for so great
was the loneliness of this girl that
my heart turned to water within me.
The lady, whose name was Maya,
looked at me carelessly, and took the
basket. Follow ing her through the
archway to the terrace beyond, set out
the matter of my wife's illness to the
doctor-or rather to him who passes as
doctor, and who is named zibalbay.
or Misunderstanding that he would
come to the village and minister to
her.
:" 1t would be of little use, brother
he said, sadly, seeing that your wife is