Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-01-11
HEART O. THE WORLD.
by H. RIDER HAGGARD.
Strange Story Manuscript by an Old
Mexican Indian His
Englislman Named
Copyrighted, 1894, By h Rider Haeeara

mai having SAID no word good or pad
beyond such as the duties of his office
required, and, according to the custom
OF the country, many people, noble and
simple, came forward to congratulate
her who was about to be made bride
Weary of watching them and of hear
ing their pretty speeches, took adj
vantage of the escort of friendly
noble and went to see the ceremony Of
the closing of the foodgate, a huge
block of marble that slid down groove
into niche prepared to receive it,
where it was fastened with great bars
Of copper and sealed by certain officers,
although, as l was told, the rising
Water would not reach II Tor announcer
eight or ten days.
About midday l returned to the
apartments that had been assigned to
me in the palace, and hearing that the
senior was still in attendance ON the Lady
Maya / ate my dinner alone with such
appetite as could find, and lay down
to sleep awhile.
was awakened from my rest by the
senior, who arrived looking merry as he
used to be before ever Molas came to
lead us to the old Indian doctor and his
daughter, and full of talk about the
preparations for his wedding that night.
listened to all he had to say and strove
earnestly to fall into his mood, but, as
suppose, without effect, for in the end
he fell into mine, which was but sad
one, and began to talk regretfully of
the past and doubtfully of the future.
Now, did my best to cheer him up,
but with little avail, for he shook his
head and said:
Indian as she is, love Maya dearly,
and no other woman has been or can be
or, Il, ff,y nd ,of
ito, for this marriage is ill-omened, and
pray that what has been begun in
trichery may not end in desolation.
Also the future is black both for YOU
and me. You came here for certain
purpose and will desire to leave again
to follow your purpose, nor, although l
take this lady to wife, do l wish to
spend my days in the City of the
Heart. And yet it would seem that I'M
less we can escape, this is what we
| must do"
| "Let us hope that we shall be able to
escape" answered.
81 doubt it" he said, 'for already 1
have discovered that though we be
treated with all honor, yet we shall be
| closely watched, or ut least shall for
| l trust that this marriage will make no
| breach in our friendship, Ignatio.'
| II do not know, senior, though think
| that for weeks its shadow has lain be-
| tween us, and fear lest that shadow
| should deepen Also it has been fated
| that women and their loves should
come between me, my ambitions and
my friends. From the moment that my
eyes fell upon Lady Maya, bound to
| the altar in the chapel of the hacienda,
| felt that her great beauty would
| bring trouble upon us, and it would
seem that my heart did not lie to me. "
| Without answering the senior lay
downlon the bed, where he remained,
whether sleeping or awake do not
know, till the hour of sunset, when he
| lords and attendants, who came to lead
him to the bath. On his return other
messengers entered bearing magnifi-
cent robes and jewels, the gift of Lady
/ Maya, to be worn by Him and by me at
the ceremony Then BARRIERS, having
trimmed and scented his hair and beard
according to the fashion of this people,
he was declled out like victim for the
sacrifice. So soon as all was prepared
the doors We're flung wide, and six
| officers of the palace came through
them, bearing wands OF office in their
hands, accompanied by a troop of sing
ing girls chosen for their loneliness,
which, to speak the truth, was not
small. In the midst of these officers
and ladies the senior was placed, and,
followed by myself, who walked behind
with heavy heart, he set out for the
banqueting hall.
AS we reached it the doors were
thrown open and the singers set up a
| love song, pretty enough, but so foolish
/ that l have forgotten it. We passed
the threshold and found that the great
hall was crowded with guests arrayed
! in their most brilliant attire, whereon
! the lamplight shone bravely. Through
this company we walked till we reached
an open space at the far end of the hall,
around which, in semicircle, sat the
members of the Council of the Heart,
Tikal and his wife being placed in the
center of them, having Natal on their
right, and on their left that old priest,
| Dimas, the foster brother of Zibalbay,
who had administered the oath to us.
| AS we advanced, with one exception
| all the council rose and bowed to the
senior. That exception was Til1al, who
stared straight before him and did not
move. Scarcely had they resumed their
seats when the sound of singing was
heard again, mingled with that Of
music, and far away, at the foot of the
long hall, appeared band of musicians
| playing upon pipes of reeds, clad in the
royal livery of green AMI crowned with
oak leaves. After the musicians
marched, or, rather, danced, number
of young girls robed in white only. and
carry ing white lilies in their hands,
which they threw upon the floor to be
trodden by the feet of the bride.
Next came Maya herself, sight of
beauty such as stirred even my cold
heart and caused me to think more
gently of the senior, who had become
| party to trick to win her. She also
was arrayed in white, embroidered with
! gold, and having the symbol of the
Heart blazoned on her breast; about
her waist and neck We're a glrdle and
collar of precious emeralds; on her head
was set tiara of perfect pearls taken
in past ages from the shellfish of the
| lake, and round her wrists and ankles
We're bangles of dead gold. Her wav-
ing hair hung loose almost to her san
daled feet, and in her hand, as token of
her rank, she bore little golden scep-
ter, having at one end great pearl
and at the other heart-shaped en-
| era1d.
Now the bridegroom and the bride
/ stood together in the open space sur
| rounded by the half circle Of the Coun-
ell Of the Heart, among whom l was
| given seat, while behind them were
arranged the musicians and singing
girls, and behind these again pressed
the glittering audience of marriage
| guests.