The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-02-03
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE CITY or THE HEART.

TIE CITY or THE HEART.
While it was yet dark on the follow
ing morning we were awakened by the
voice OF Zibalbay calling us.
Arise" he said; lit is time to start
upon our road"
Dressing ourselves, we went into the
common roon,whcrc we found Zibalbay
and the Lady Maya.
Eat, said the old man, pointing tc
food that was ready, and let us be go
ing"
Ten minutes later we were outside OF
the house and on our way.
BY degrees as the light grew we saw
that the country at our feet was shaped
like bowl. whereof the mountain
range upon which we stood formed the
rim, and at the bottom OF this bowl, fed
! by numborlcss streams that had their
solrccs among the surrounding SHOWS,
I lay the lake. the Holy Waters Of this
/ people. OF this, however, we could as
! yet see little, since the vast cxpanse be-
meath us lay hidden in volumes of mist
that moved and rolled like the face of
| the ocean.
Never before had we looked upon
anything 50 orange as this dense gar
rncnt Of yapor while the light OF heaven
gathered upon its surface. tinging it
with lines and patches Of color It
seemed as though map of the world
was unrollcd before us; continents.
seas, Islands, and cities formed them
selves only to disappear in quick sue
cessiOn and assume new and endless
shapes.
1T is beautiful is it not?n said MAYA.
but wait until the mist breaks. Look,
1t is beginning"
As She spoke, of a sudden the sea OF
mist grew thin and opened in its cen
ter, and through the gap thus formed
showed first tho pyramids and temple
tops and then the entire panorama of
the city Heart of the World floating as
il were upon the face of the HOLY
Waters. 1t was far away, but now the
night fog no longer thic1ened it, SO
clear was the atmosphere and so high
were we above it that it seemed to be
at our feet.
1t stood upon a heart-shapcd island.
and round about the shores of this
island, stretching further than the eve
could reach, sparl1led the blue waters
of the holy lake.
There lies my country" said Maya.
with proud wave of her hand. docs
1T please you, white man?"
III pleases me so well, Maya" he an
swered, that now less than ever can
understand why you wish to leave it,"
because, though lakes and noun
tains and cities full of wealth are fine
things, it is not to these but to the men
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
you think 50 now" she answered.
meanlngly but when you have been
awhile in the city yondcr you viii think
otherwise OH She went on passion
atcly ''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 [
say that 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
speals to me thus for no cause"
Perhaps am unjust" she answered
with sob, but there are so many
troubles before US. First there Is
what does Tikal wantqp asked the
senior
''llc wants to marry me. or TO become
caciquc OF the city in my right. which
is the same thing; at least he win not
give me up without Il struggle. Then
thcre IS my father, who serves two mas
terS only, his gods ard his country, and
who VIII use me like n piece in a game
u IL SUITS ms purpose; yes, and You, too. |
Our good days are done with, the evil |
ones nave to come, and after thcrn-the |
night. Hcnceforward we shall find few
of speaking even. for |
snail be surrounded by officers and |
waiting ladies, who will watch nv
every action and hear my every word. |
and my father win watch me also"
Now begin to be sorry that | did |
NOT take your advice and stop on the |
iurthcr SIDE o. .lc mountain" answered |
lhe senior DO You think we can
escape thcrc?"
mo, it is too late; they would track
MS down. We must go on now and meet |
our fate, whatever it may he. Only |
swear to me by my gods or your own. or
you hold dear, that You viii |
cieave to me till | am dead as | will
,leave to you. and taking his hand in
face. 80
At this moment Zibalbay, who was
walking in front, lost in his own
thoughts, CHANGED to turn and see
Them.
Come hither. daughter. and Won.
vhlte man, he said in a stern voice.
listen, both of You. | am old, but nv
'lght and hearing are still keen, though
Wonder III the wilderness l took no heed
u much that | saw and heard. Herein
ny own land it is otherwise. Learn.
White man, that the Lady of the Heart
S set far above you, and there | think
'he will remain. Do you understand
NY meaning?'
Perfectly" answered the senior.
striving to control his anger. s.but.
'hief, 1t is pity that you did not sec
veil TO tell me this before Had il not
,een for what we and one dead were
lble to do TO save you, to-day your
zones would have been whitening in
he forest Why did YOU not tell me
here that | was no fit company for
our daughter?r
Because you were sent bv the rods
o do me service, and because there |
nd need of you, white man. answered
,ibalbay, quietly, las maybe | Shall
lavc need of you again. Had il NOT
'een tor that chance we should have
,arted COMPANY on the further side of
he mountain"
I'm truth wish we hadl' exclaimed
he senior.
As l walked on side by side with III
'albay | spoke to him. savino. s.Yon
~ l. 1.