Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-09-09
THE LADY OF THE IRIS.

They rooted MOVERS III uAy AA5hh A@SN''''
But mortal maids by night
And fair are they by night or day,
And slim and tall they stand
But they rob the rest from an lhdiah
And the strength from an Indians hand
But do not sing of them. my nus
Land" pleaded Juana, as she and her
rewlv-taken husband went out together
from the little village in the least-known
mart Of Yucatan. where they had both
laon bred and born. do not sing OF
them. my heart, lest she hear and heed,
and make a song of thee. Nay, do not
cast my hand away, Luis even
the padres say that the Lady Of the Iris
has a long arm and long ears"
ooh! but that is not so, mi alma" said
4 LAUGHING voice. a. a young Indian girl
came out from the last hut in the village
end fell into stop beside Juana, for my
father saw her. and said that she was
fair to see. straight and slim as rush,
with yellow hair, ana eyes purple as her
darkest iris flower Have you ever seen
her. friend?"
NO" said Luis shortly.
"Alavbe you will see her, if you desire
it. Do you, amigo"
"No-no!" Juana said harriedly. mo,
indeed. we desire no such thing. we go
TO a new life in the village of Todos,
where my husbands brother is head
man."
But I do desire to see the Lady of
the Iris" Luis said. holding his wife's
hand closely in his strong brown fingers.
"And think that have met her, Matshi
Skoneon"
The Indian girl looked at him and
laughed softly.
con. but you are bold, Luis, son of
Luis" she said. How did you guess
that | was the Lady of the Iris?"
Il saw a devil looking out of your eyes,
Matshi Skoneon," Luis answered frank
". "and so | knew Hush, my hearth"
MS Juana stopped short, sobbing and
trembling and entreating him to turn
back. Flush! l ran my races, and
trained my arms, and welded thee for
this thing alone, Juana; that l might
lift from my people the curse of the
lris-woman."
"Ah! but am not fair to see
fairer than your Juana, Luis? Look at
me now"
The Lady of the Iris walked on his
right now. and her semblance had
changed from that of a young Indian
girl to the appearance or tall, slim
white woman, with long, loose yellow
hair, half hiding her naked bosom, and
deep blue eyes cleaning mischievously
under q loose wreath of laghowers.
and you are beautiful, yes!" Luis
said resolutcly. But | have come here
to slay you, Matsh Skoneon"
"You must walk far, then" the Lady
of the Iris said with wicked smile,
fer my home is in the middle of the
marshes"
81 have come prepared to walk far"
Luis answered her quietly. My feet are
strong, Matshi Skoneon, and You will
not tire me out"
So they went on, by tangled paths and
wet passes, where the thorns were thick
along the way, ana scarlet fungi grew
on the great trees. and still the Lady of
the Iris and Luis walked shoulder to
shoulder The way was long, and the
path was rough and thorny, but the In
dian patience is endless, and when Juana's
feet gave out Luis carried her; and pres.
emily, when the stars were out, there
came to Luis weary eyes the CLEAN of
wet marshes and the glitter of many
wandering lights-possibly lost souls of
the witch's many victims.
Here is my house" the Lady of the
Iris said, and you are welcome. / must
go and see how my children the irises
have done without me these four days"
Husband and wife waited in silence till
she had been gone some minutes, then
Luis lifted his half-fainting wife from the
ground and kissed her on lips and fore
head with grave, gentle kisses that had
IN, thor, 81 IS faraxt-nll
You shall rock no child of mine
Juana," he said, softly; "and shall not
see you withcr, and then have to take t
myself a younger wife, as i might hav,
done. Now listen, and swear to me tina
you will obey me, Juana-no, not by Sal
Domingo or Santa Maria; you shall
swear by the devil who is Matshi Sko
neon's master"
81 swear by FL Diablo," Juana NUT
tered, that l will obey you, my hus
band; embarrassing herself hastily
''may San Domingo stand between M
and my oath What am l to do? Lui.
you will not send me from you?"
"She will think that you have con
back the way we come" Luis answered
"but YOU shall lie hid in those thorn
bushes wonder and watch, Juana. an
hold your peace, if you love me-"
"And see her Kill you, Luis as she ha
killed othersg"
"Why not, Juana? Now. see. I ~
your husband" Luis whispered rapidly
'and You must obey me. Stay there an
watch, Juana, and when she falls n.yyeer
ing, 60 back to the village and hri6
the medicine men-not the padre Iuana
and then-they Will know the rest -+L,
win know what to do" He put ont hot
hands and pushed her away from hin
"She is coming back; you must y,
Juana You are not to come TO me: Va
are to wait and wateh-and then
Juana bent her head silently and gro,
back to her hiding place in the low tbc1S
bushes. She did not look at first h,
listened; then her curiosity Grew :,
strong for her prudence. and in spito ,
pricked fingers she made IttIh n,,,
IL. tl....... > -.