Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-12-24
CHAPTER XVI.

Does not the city lie very low?" I
asked OF Maya, when we had studied
the prospect on every side. ITO my
eye it seems almost upon level with
the waters of the lake"
I believe that is SO" she answered
Moreover, during those months of the
year that are coming, the level of the
lake rises many feet, so that the island
is submerged and the water stands
about the wall"
How, then, do you prevent the town
from being fooded?" asked the senior.
If once the water flowed in the place
would vanish and every soul be
drowned.''
Eyes, friend, but the waters never
rise beyond a certain height, and are
kept from flooding the city by the great
sluice gate. If that gate were to be
opened in the time OF inundation. then
we should perish, every one. But it
never is opened during those months,
for, It any would leave or enter the city
they do SO by means of ladders leading
from the summit of the wall to floating
landing stages on the moat beneath"
1t seems strange place to build q
city" answered the senior. Il do not
think that i should ever sleep sound
during the months of inundation, know
! ing that my life depended on single
| gate"
''Yet men have slept safely here for a
| thousand years or more" she said. "Le-
| gend tells us that our forefathers who
came up from the coast in ancient days
settled on the island by command of
their gods, choosing this hollow bed of
land to build in, so that, rather than
submit themselves to foes, as their
| fathers were forced to do in the country
Il hnv <ta tot \ Il
| need were, flood the place and perish in
the water.
For this reason il is that the holy
sanctuary of the nameless God, the
Heart OF Heaven, is hallowed deep in
the rock beneath us, for the waters OF
the lake would flow in upon it at a
| touch, burying it and all its treasures
| from the sight of man forever. Now,
| II you have seen enough, will take
| you to visit the public workshops where
| fish is dried, garments woven, and all
other industries carried on that are nee
| essary to our comfort" and turning she
led the way with her ladies toward the
head of the stairs.
AS we drew near to it, however, three
men appeared upon the platform, in one
of whom I knew Tikal. Seeing NAV a
| he advanced toward her, bowling as he
/ came.
Lady," he said, learning that you
were here with these strangers, have
followed you to beg that you will
speak with me alone for some few min
utes."
.sThat cannot do, cousin" she an
swered, coldly, ".for who knows what
color might afterward be put upon my
words. # you have anything to say to
me say it before us all"
That I cannot do," he answered,
.sfor what have to say is secret. Still,
for your fathers sake, and perhaps for
your own, you will do well to hear it. y
to you, Tikal."
.'Then, lady. farewell" he said. and
turned to go.
s'Stay, cousin. If you fear to speak
before our own people let this stranger
and she pointed to me, Ignatio- .be
present at our talk. He is Of our blood
and can understand our tongue, dis.
Greet man, and, moreover, one Of the
Brethren of the Heart"
Zone of the Brethren of the Heart
How can stranger be a BROTHER of the
Heart? Prove it to me, wanderer."
And drawing me aside he said Ger,
tain words which answered, giving
him the signs.
| 10 you dSreeT' asked Maya.
| Eyes, lady, since I must, though il
pleases me little to open my mind be
/ fore q stranger. Let us step apart,
and he walked to the center of the plat
form, followed by Maya and myself.
Lady" he began, "my business with
you is not easy to tell. For many years
we were affianced, and both you and
| your father promised that we should be
wed7when you returned from this jour
ney-"
surely, as things are, cousin, it is
needless to discuss the matter Of oul
betrothal," she broke in with sarcasm
Not altogether needless, lady," he
answered. II have much to ask your
pardon for, and yet make bold to ask
4 it. Maya, you know well that I have
loved, and love you dearly, and that nc
other woman has ever been near my
heart"
i Surely she said with a laugh
"these words sound strange in the
mouth of the new-made husband Of
Nahua."
Perhaps, lady, and yet are true.
am married to Nahua, but do not love
her, though she loves me. It is you
whom / love, and when saw you yes
terday all my heart went out to you, SC
that almost hated the fair bride at my
side"
"Why, then, did you marry her?"
Because must and because ! be
lieved you dead, and your father with
you, as did every man in the city. You
Zibalbay, being dead, as / thought, was
It wonderful that should wish to keeT
the place that many were plotting Il
take from me? This could be done il
one way only, by the help of Natal
the most clever and the most powerful
man IN the city; and this was Natal.
price, thai his daughter should become
Lady of the Heart.
"Well, she loved me, she is beautiful
and she has her fathers strength and
foresight, SO that among all the ladie.
in the land there was none more fitted
to be my wife.
"Wel1, and you married her, ant
there's the end. You ask my forgive
ness and you have it, seeing that it doe!
not befit me to play the part of a jeal
GUS woman. Doubtless time will softer
the blow to me, Tikal," she added
mockingly.
IT'S that your last word, lady2'
why do you ask?"
Because more hangs on 1t than yor
know. Listenl very soon all the mel
Ia the city will be gathered on thi.
place to hear your fathers words, anl
to decide whether he or shall rule
See, already they assemble in the tenn
pie square. Promise to be my wife, ant
In return / will yield to your father
and he shall rule for his life's days ant
have his way in all things. Refuse, ant
will cling to power, and matters ma,
go badly for him, for You, and, he add
| ed, threateningly, ''for these strangers
your friends"