The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-02-24
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY III. RIDER HAooARD.
Old
10
Engishman Named
copyrighted. 1894. by H. Rider Haesard

lost in thought.
think it must have been in the early
afternoon of the day following that on
which we were imprisoned that Tikal
visited us, accompanied only by four
guards.
"a small band" said the senior, as he
watched them advance, but enough to
put us to death who are unarmed-for
all our weapons had been taken from
us-if such should be their will"
Have no fear, friend" said Maya.
''thcy will not do murder so openly"
BY now Tikal stood before us bow
ing, and Zibalbay, who as usual was
seated brooding at the table, looked up
and saw him. What do you seek,
traitor?" he asked, angrily, the blood
flushing beneath his withcred skin.
Would you kill us? If SO, STAY on, for
thus shall l come the sooner to the
bosom of that God whose vengeance |
call down upon you"
II am no murderer, Zibal bay" an
swered Tikal with dignity. IF you die
IL will be by the command of the law
that you have broken and not by mine
am here to speak with you, if you will
come apart with me-"
"Then speak on before these others
or leave your words unsaid," he an
swered, for not one step will | stir
with you, who doubtless seek some op-
portunity to stab me in the back"
"Yet it is important that you should
hear what | have to say, Zibalbay."
Say on, then, traitor, or CO."
Now TilSal thought for awhile, look
ing doubtfully at Maya, from whose
fair face indeed he rarely took his eyes.
us it your wish that / should with
draw" she asked, shortly.
ut is not NINE said Zibalbay, "stay
where you are, daughter"
Listen, Zibalbay," said Tilsal, yves
terday before the gathering on the
pyramid | saw your daughter, the lady
Maya, and spoke with her, telling her
that now as always l loved her, al
though believing her to be dead, had
for reasons of the state taken an
other woman to be my wife. Then l
made her this offer: that II she would
consent to become my wife, I would
put away Nahua, whom l had married.
Moreover l added this, that would
give up my place as cacique to you,
Zibalbay, whose it is by right, to hold
for SO long as you should live, and
would not oppose you or your policy in
any matter. l told her, on the other
hand, that if she refused to become nv
wife l would surrender nothing, but
would put out my strength to crush
you and her, and these strangers, your
friends.
"She answered me with contempt,
saying that | might do my worst, but
she would have naught to say to me.
What happened afterward you know,
Zibalbay, and you know also the dan
ger in which you stand to-day, now
that powe<Aas left you and your very
life trembles in the balance"
He paused, and Zibalbay, who had
been listening to his words amazed,
turned to Maya and said sternly:
Does this man lie, daughter?"
AS she was about to answer, though
what she meant to say do not know,
Tikal broke in:
This offer | made to her, and, that
1t may be put beyond doubt, now l
make it to her and you again. If she
will take me in marriage, for her sake
l will put away Nahua. l will Law
down my rule and set you in your place
again with liberty so long as you shall
live to work such follies as the gods
may suffer-"
Zibalbay heard, and, rising, lifted
his head to the vault above him and
said:
II thank thee, o God, who, in an
swer to my prayers, has shown me a
way of escape from the troubles that
beset me. Tilxal, it shall be as Won
wish, and we will swear our peace upon
the altar of the Heart. Doubtless
there will be trouble with Natal and
some of his following, but if we stand
together they can be overcome"
Your pardon, Zibalbay,' l inter
rupted; the Lady Maya has not
,'spoken!" he exclaimed. why,
what should she say?'
What | said to my Cousin Tikal yes
terday," she answered, setting her lips
and speaking very low; that l will
have nothing to do with him."
Nothing to do with him, grill Moth
ing to do with himl Why, he's your
aftianced; you do not UNDERESTIMATE
II understand well. father, but for
naught that can be offered to me upon
the earth will give myself in marriage
to man who has treated you and me
as my Cousin Tillal has done, o. man
who could not keep his oath to you or
wait for me one single year"
Cease to be foolish" said Zibalbay.
"I1kal has erred, no doubt, but now he
would make atonement for his error.
and If | can forgive him so can YOU.
Think no more of the girls folly, Tikal,
but send for ink and parchment and
let us set down our contract"
II have the paper here, lord" said
likal, drawing roll from his breast,
but, pardon me, does the Lady Maya
consent?"
"Ay, ay, she consents"
II do not consent, father, and If Won
drag me to the altar with yonder man
| will cry out to the people to protect
me, or, failing their aid, I win seek
refuge In death by my own hand if
need be-"
Now Zibalbay turned upon his
daughter, trembling with rage, bnt.
checking himself of sudden, said:
Ill<al, for a moment this girl of
mine is mad; leave us and come back
in some few hours, when YOU shall find
her of another mind. Go now, pray. !
before words are said that cannot be
Tikal turned and went, and until the
gates at the far end of the hall had
FLASHED behind him and his guards
here was silence. Then Zibalbay
spoke to his daughter.
Girl, he said, Il know your heart. !
md that your lips spoke lie when YOU
.old us that it was because of Tikal's
of his vow and troth that
you will not marry him. There is an
>ther reason of which You have not
spoken. This white man is the reason.
on have suffered yourself to look on
nm with longing, and you cannot pluck
us image from your breast Do / not
speak truth?"
You speak truth, father she an