The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-01-06

We passed the stairway and turned
the corner, Luisa still leading.
Next instant she staggered back into
my arms, murmuring: Mother of
heaven! the ghotsl the ghostsn In
deed, had not held her shewould have
fed. Still clasping her hand, pushed
forward to find myself standing in a
small recess that was placed about ten
feet above the floor of the chapel, and.
like other places in this house, SO ar
ranged that the abbot or monk in
authority, without being seen himself,
could see and hear all that passed be-
meath him.
OF one thing 1 am sure that during
all the generations that are gone by no
monk watching here ever saw stranger
sight than that which met my eyes,
The chancel of the chapel was lit up by
shafts of brilliant moonlight that
poured through the broken window,
and by lamp which stood upon the
stone altar. Within the circle of strong
light thrown by this lamp were four
people, namely: Don Pedro, his son
Don Jose, an old Indian, and girl.
On either side of the altar then, as
now, rose two carven pillars of sapote
wood, the tops of which were fash
ioncd into the figure of angels, and to
these columns the old Indian and the
women were tied. one to each column,
their hands being joined together at
the back of the pillars in such n man
ner as to render them absolutely help
less. My eyes first rested upon the
woman, who was nearest to me. and
seeing her, even as she WAS then, dis
hcvclled and worn with pain and hun
ger, with her proud face distorted by
agony of mind and inpotent rage, no
longer wondered that both Molas and
Don Pedro had ravcd about her beauty.
She was an Indian, but such an In
dian as | had never known before. for
in color she was almost white, and her
dark and waving hair hung in masses
to her knee. Her face was oval and
small-feat.lrcd, and in it shone pair
OF wonderful dark blue eyes, while the
clinging white robe she wore revealed
the loveliness of her tall and delicate
shape
Bad as was the girls plight, that of
the old man. her father, who was none
other than the Zibalbay we had como
to seek, seemed even worse. lie was.
as Molas had described him, thin end
very tall, with white hair and beard.
hawk-like eyes, and aquiline features.
nor had Don Pedro spoken more than
the truth when he said he looked like
king.
What shall we try him with now?r
said Don jose. addressing Don Pedro:
''hot strcl or cold? Make up your mind.
for ! am getting tired Well, if you
won't, lust hand me that machetc, will
you? Now friend,' he went on, adj
dressing the Indian. for the last time
ask you to tell us where is that tenn
pie full of god of which you spoke to
yoar daughter in my fathers hearing?"
"Thcre is no such place, white man, :"
he answered sullenly.
'Indccl, friend. Then will you ex-
plain where you got those little ingots
whieh VIC captured from the Indian who
had been visiting you, and whence came
this machcte?' and he pointed to the
weapon in his hand.
1t was u sword of great beauty. as
could sec, but of hardened copper. and
having for handle female figure
| with outstretched arms fashioned in
solid gold
The inachete was given to me by a
friend" said the Indian. 81 do not
know where he got it,
Really" answered Jose with a bru-
tai laugh; perhaps Won will remember
| presently. Here, father, warm the
| point of the iaachete in the lamp. will
you, while tell orr guest how we are
going to serve him and his daughter
Don Pedro nodded, and taking the
sword hell the tip of it over the flame,
while jose, bending forward, whispered
into the Indians ear, pointing from
to time to the girl.
"Arc you white men, then. deyilspr
said the old man at length, with a
groan that seemed to burst from the
bottom Of his heart, land is there no
law or iuS.ica aInonO vonp-
Mono ut all, friend" answered Jose;
I'VE are good fellows enough, but times
are hard, and we must live. Now. once
more, will you guide us to the place
whence that gold came, leaving your
daughter here as hostage for our
safety?"
"Never!" cried the Indian. sBetter
that we two should perish q hundred
times than that the ancient secrets of
my people should pass to such as you. :"
80 You have secrets aftcralll Father,
Is the sword hot?' asked Jose.
One minute more" sa;1 the old man,
turning the point in the flame.
This WAS the scene that we witnessed,
ana these were the words that as
tonished orr cars.
1t IS time to Interfere" muttercd
the senior, and, placing his hand upon
the rail, he prepared to drop into the
church.
Now n thought struck me, and drew
him back to the passage.
Perhaps the door is open" said.
Are you going in there?" asked the
girl Tulsa.
Certainly" | replied: VIC must res
cue these people or die with them.
when, senior, farewell. | have done
all can for you. and now the saints
must be your guide, for if l am seen
they will kill me, and have child for
whose sake desire to live. AGAIN.
farewell" and she glidcd away like a
shadow.
Continued next week.