The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-03-17

ny n. RIDER HAooARD.
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Msxisaa . Prissd ard Coursde
Ensashsaa ksssd Josss-


X
Tikul having said no word good or bad
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 WINS about to be made a bride.
Weary OF watching them and of hear
ing their pretty speeches, / took adj
vantage of the escort of friendly
noble and went to sec the ceremony of
the closing Of the foodgate 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 it for another
eight or ten days.
About midday ] 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 us | could find, and lay down
to sleep awhile.
was awakened from my rest by tn,
senior, who arrived looking merry as he
used to be before ever Molas came t.
lead us to the old Indian doctor and his
daughter, and full OF talk about tn,
preparations for his wedding that night
listened to all he had to say and strovs
earnestly to fall into his mood, but, as
snpposc, without effect, for in tho end
lie fell into mine, which was but sad
one, and began to talk rcgretfully o.
the past and doubtfully of the future.
Now. did my best to cheer him up.
but with little avail, for he shook hi
head and said:
Indian as she is. love Maya dearly
and no other woman has been or can b,
30 much to me, and yet am afraid, lgna-
ito, for this marriage is ill-omened, and
! pray that what has been begun il,
rickery may not end in dcsolation
Also the future is black both for you
and me. You came here for certain
purpose and will desire to leave again
10 follow your purpose, nor, although
taic 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.
Il doubt it, he said, for already l
have discovered that though we be
treated with all honor, yet we shall be
closely watched, or at least | shall for
certain reasons. Still come what may,
| trust that this marriage will make no
breach in our friendship, Ignatio."
II do not know, senior, though think
that for weeks it's shadow has lain be-
tween us, and l 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
falf hot
bring trouble upon us, and it would
seem that my heart did not lie to me-"
Without answering the senior lay
down on the bed, where he remained,
whether sleeping or awake l do not
know, till the hour of sunset, when he
was aroused by the arrival of several
lords and attendants. who came to lead
him to the bath. On his return other
messengers entered, bearing magnifi-
eut robes and jewels, the gift of Lady
flnya. to be worn by him and by mc a;
ne ceremony. Then BARRIERS, having
imnncd and scented his hair and bcart
ccording to the fashion of this people
was decllcd out ike n victim FOR tn,
.eTificc. So soon ms all was prepared
g doors were flung wide, and six
iiicers of the palace came through
hem, bearing wonds of Office in then
Nnnds. accompanied by a troop Of sing
ng girls chosen for their loneliness,
vhich, to speak the truth, was no.
,aa1. In the midst of these officers
md ladies the senior was placed, and,
ollowed by myself who walked behind
With heavy heart, he set out for the
5anqueting hall.
AS we reached it the doors were
thrown open and the singers set up
love song. pretty enough, but SO foolish
hat | have forgotten it. We passed
The threshold and found that the great
hall WAS crowded with guests arrayed
IN their most brilliant attire, wherein
the lnmplight shone bravely. Through
this company we walked till we reached
in open space at the far end of the hall,
around which, in scmicircle, sat the
members of the Council of the Heart,
TilSal and his wife being placed in the
enter of them, having Natal ON their
right, and on their left that old priest,
'Di,nns, 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 TilSal. who
,tarcd straight before him and did not
move. Scarcely Ind they resumed their
cats when the sound of singing was
lcard again, mingled with that of
iusic. and far away, ut tic foot of the
ing hall, appeared u band of musicians
laying upon pipes Of reeds, clad in th..
oyal livery of green AMI crowned with
ak leaves. After the musicians
larched. or. rather danced, number
young girls ROBBED in white only. and
AIRY ing white lilies in their hands
yhich they threw upon the floor to be
roddcn by the feet of the bride.
Next came Maya herself, sight Of
cauty such as stirred even my cold
cart and caused me to think more
entity OF the senior, who had bocom
arty TO trick to win her. She ais
'as arraycd in white, embrt idcrcl witl
old, and having the symbol of tn,
icart hlazoncd on her breast: abou-
'cr waist and neck were q girdlc anf
,llnr of precious cmcraldS; ON her head |
as set tiara of perfect pearls tclsc:,
4 past uges from the shcllfish Of the
AXE. and round her wrists and ankle.
~crc bunrles of dead gold. Her wav.
lg hair hung loose almost to her san
alcd feet, and in her hand. as token OF
scr rank, she bore little golden scep-
cr. hnving at one end great pearl |
md at the other hcart-shapcd en-
raid.
Now the bridegroom and the bride |
TODD together in the open space, sur |
sounded by the half circle of the Coun- |
IL of the Heart, among whom | was |
'ivcn n seat, while behind them were |
arranged the musicians and singing |
Girls. and behind these again pressed |
he glitteripg audience Of marriage
guests.