The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-02-10
HEART OF THE WORLD.
Strange Story Manuscript Bequeathed by
ndi to Comrade,
Engiishman


you NONth NAY NpflSc.l lTO--l INC uOOu
of sacriicgc. Living or dead, the day
of Zi5albay IS d m. for the Council of
the Heart has set his crown upon the
brow of Iil,al, and, whether for good
or i'll. their decree cannot be changed. y
"Ayl' said Iilial, whose courage had
como bae,; - him. 1.-The lady Nahua
speaks ti-,th. Touch me not if you
would live 70 look upon the sun
But all the while he spoke his eyes
were fixed upon Maya, whose beautiful
face he watched rs though it were that
of some lost lc7c risen from the dead.
Now, n Zibalbay was about to speak
again, Natal. the astronomer, bowed
before him and said:
'I}c not wroth, but hear me- my lord
You have Travelled far and you are
weary, and a weary man is apt at wrath.
Non think that Won have been wronged,
and doubtless all this that has Glanced
is strange to you, but now is not the
time for II TO rive count Of our acts and
stewardship, or for you TO hcar5en.
Rest this night, aal Tomorrow on the
pyramid, in the presence of the people,
all things shall be made clear to you
and jus,ice done to all"
Now Iibalbav paused awhile. look
ing round out of The corner of his eyes
like a.wolf in trap. for he sought to
discover the temper of the mobiles. Then
finding that there were few present
whom he could trust to help him, he
lifted his head and answered.:
You are right, Natal. | am weary,
for age, travel, and the faithlessness of
| men have worn me out Tomorrow
these matters shall be dealt with in the
presence of the people, and there before
the altar it shall be made known
whether | am their lord, or you, Tilsal.
There, too, | will tell you who these
strangers are, and why have brought
them across the mountains. Until then
isayc them in your keeping, for your
Own aal.cs charging vol % keen them
wei. Nay. here | will neither eat nor
ir.ci,. ID you come with me- and he
@llch to certain lords b. name, whom
he knew to be faithful to him
T zen witho-t more words he turned
and LETT the hall. followed by anumber
OF mobiles.
1T scans thai my father has for
gotten mo- said Maya. with laugh,
when he had gone. directing to you
all friends, and to You, my cousin
Ti!sal. and to your wife Nahua, who,
once my waiting lady. has now by the
| gift of fortune been lifteu up to take
my place and title. greeting. What
ever may be the issue of these broils,
may you be happy in each others love,
Tileal and Nahua."
Now Tiisal came down from the
throne and bowed before her, saying:
81 swear to You, Maya"
mo. do not swear" she broke in,
"but give me and my friends here a cup
of wine and some fragments from your
we lding feast, for we arc hungry. l
| thank you. How beautiful is that
brides robe which Nahua wears, and
surely those cmeralds were once my own.
| We'll, let her talSe them from me as a
wedding gift. Make room, | pray you.
TilSal, and suffer these ladies 60 tell mo
of their tidings. for remember that |
have wandered far, and it is pleasant to
see faces that are dear to me-
There were two who took small note
of the senior or of me and these were
Tilsal, who gazsd at Maya as he stood
behind her chair serving hcr like some
waiting slave, and Nahua, his wife,
who sat silent and neglected on her
thorone. sullenly noting his every word
and gesture. At length she could bear
this play no lonye.', hit rising from her
seat began to move down the chamber.
Make room for the bride, ladies'"
SAID Maya. cousin, good night, It
grows late and YOU wife awaits YOU"
Then mutterinG | know not what,
TilIal turned and went, and side by
side the pair walked down the great
hall. followed Nv the g,a~d of soldiers
How beautiful is the bride and how
brave the groom" sold Maya rs she
watched them TO. 'and vet | have seen
couples that looked happier on their
wedding day. Well, it i time to rest
Friends. good night. Natal, / leave
these strangers in your keeping. Guard
thcm well-and stay, bring them to my
apartments tomorrow after they have
eaten, for If it is my fathers will |
would show them something of the city
before the hour of noon, when we meet
upon the temple top
When she had gone Natal bowed to
us with much ceremony ana begged US
to follow him. which we Gid across the
courtyard and through many passages
to beautiful chamber, dinly lighted
with silver lamps that had been made
ready for us. Here were beds covered
with sillSen wrappings. and on table
in the center of the room cool drinks
and many sorts of fruits, but so tired
were we that we took little note OF these
things
bidding good night to Natal. who
looked at us curiouslv and announced
that he would visit us early in the
morning, we made fast the copper bolts
upon the door and throw ourselves upon
the beds and were soon asleep.
In the morning we were aroused by
knocking at our door. / arose and un-
did the bolt, whercon attendants en-
tered bearing goblets of chocolate and
little cakes upon IA tray. After we had
eaten they led us to the baths. which
were of marble and very beautiful. one
of them being filed with water from a
warm SPRING, and then to IL chamber.
where breakfast was made ready forus.
While we sat at table Natal came TO
us, and | saw that he had not slept that
night, for his eyes were heavy.
Il trust that you have rested well.
strangers?' he said, courteously.
"Yes."
We'll, it is more than | have done.
for 1T Is my business to watch the stars.
especially my own star. which ia t now
is somewhat obscured." and he smiled
IF You have finished your meal. my
comrades are to lead you 10 the apart
ments Of the Lady Maya. who wishes to !
show You something of our city. which,
being strangers, may interest Won. Bv |
the way. If do not ask too much. per- |
haps you will tell me to what race Won |
belong" and he bowed toward the |
senior. I'VE have heard OF white men
here, though we have learned no good
OF them. and tradition tell us that our
iirst ruler, Cucurna.z. WIS one. Are |
You of his blood. strangcr?"
Il do not know" answered the senior.
laughing. Il come from cold coun- |