Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-12-17
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CITY OF THE HEART.

ment OF vapor while the light of heaven
gathered upon its surface, tinging It
with lines and patches of color. 1t
seemed as though a map Of the world
was unrolled before us; continents,
seas, islands, and cities formed them
selves only to disappear in quick sue
cession and assume new and endless
shapes
ut is beautiful, is It not?" said MAYA.
"But wait until the mist breaks. Look,
it is beginning"
AS she spoke, of sudden the sea Of
mist grew thin and opened In its CEN
ter, and through the gap thus formed
showed first the pyramids and temple
tops and then the entire panorama of
the city Heart of the World floating as
1t were upon the face Of che Holy
Waters. 1t was far away, but now the
night fog no longer thickened it, so
clear was the atmosphere and so high
were we above it that it seemed to be
at our feet.
II stood upon q heart-shaped island,
and round about the shores Of this
island, stretching further than the eye
could reach, sparlkled the blue waters
of the holy lake.
"There lies my country" said Maya,
with proud wave Of her hand. "Does
~ plcdSe you, WlllIe uduf
1T pleases me so well, Maya" he an
swered, 'sthat now less than ever can I
understand why you wish to leave it."
Because, though lakes and noun
tains and cities full of wealth are fine
things, 1t is not to these but to the mon
and women among whom we live that
we must look for happiness."
Some people might think otherwise,
Maya. They might say that happiness
must be sought for in ourselves. At
least / could be happy in such a land as
this"
"You think so now" she answered,
meaningly, tbut when you have been
awhile in the city yonder you will think
otherwise. OhI' She went on passion
ately, 'if indeed you care for me we
should never have crossed that noun
tain behind us.
Here am great lady, and you will
see the people in the streets bow Them
selves to the ground before me; and If I
say that a man shall die, you will see
that man killed. Also here have
wealth more than any white woman,
and you will be fond Of me for
that"
"You are very unjust" he broke in,
angrily; sit is shameful that you should
"PerhapsI am unjust" she answered
with sob, "but there are SO MANY
troubles before us. First there Ia
Tikal-"
"What does Tikal want?" asked the
senior.
He wants to marry me, or to become
cacique OF the city in my right, which
is the same thing; at least he will not
give me up without a struggle. Then
there Is my father, who serves two mas
ters only, his gods and his country, and
who will use me like piece in a game
II 1t suits his purpose; yes, and you, too.
Our good days are done with, the evil
ones have to come, and after them-the
night. Henceforward we shall find few
opportunities Of speaking even, for l
shall be surrounded by officers and
waiting ladies, who will watch my
every action and hear my every word,
and my father will watch me also"
Snow begin to be sorry that l did
not take your advice and stop on the
further side OF the mountain answered
the senior, '.Do you think we can
escape there?"
No, it is too late; they would track
us down. We must go on now and meet
our fate, whatever 1t may he. Only
swear to me by my gods or your own, OF
whatever you hold dear, that YOU viii
cleave to me till / am dead as I will
cleave to you," and taking his hand in
hers she looked up appealingly into his
face.
At this moment Zibalbay, who was
walking In front, lost in his own
thoughts, CHANGED to turn and see
them.
"Come hither, daughter, and YOU,
white man." he said in a stern voice.
Listen, both of you. am old, but nv
sight and hearing are still keen, though
yonder in the wilderness 1 took no heed
OF much that saw and heard. Here In
my own land it is otherwise. Learn,
white man, that the Lady of the Heart
is set far above you, and there I think
she will remain. Do you understand
my meaning?"
Perfectly" answered the senior,
striving to control his anger, "but,
chief, it is a pity, that you did not see
well to tell me this before Had it not
been for what we and one dead were
able to do to save you, to-day your
bones would have been whitening in
the forest. Why did you not tell me
there that / was no fit company for
your daughter?"
Because you were sent by the gods
to do me service, and because there |
had need of you, white man." answered
Zibalbay,. quietly, as maybe shall
have need of you again. Had it not
been for that chance we should have
parted company on the further side OF
the mountain y
SIN truth wish we had!" exclaimed
the senior.
AS / walked on side by side with III
balbay spoke to him, saying: "You
use sharp words toward him who is my
brother, chief, and therefore toward
me-"
81 speak as 1 must" he answered
coldly. MANY troubles await me at
the city. Did you not hear what that
knave said last night, that Tikal, my
nephew, whom l left in charge, rules
in my stead? Well. this girl Of mine,
who is affianced to him, and through
whom he hopes to govern in after years
may be the only bait that will tempt
him from his place, for he looks upon
me as one dead, and it will not please
him to lay down the rod Of power. How
should 1t please him, then. and those
who follow him, to see white stranger
holding that daughters hand and whis.
pering in her ear?
made no answer, for at that mo.
mont we turned q corner and came. face