The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-10-16
THE LADY
or THE
IRIS
By NORA HOPPER

ers,
And white flowers for delight.
They're rooted flowers In daylight
hours,
But mortal maids by night
And fair are they by night or day,
And slim and tall they standI
But they rob the rest from an In
dams breast,
And the strength from an Indians
hand. '4'
"But do not sing of them, my hus-
band" pleaded Juana, as she and
her newly-taken husband went out
together from the little village In the
least known part Of Yucatan, where
they had both been 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 Lady of the Iris has long arm
and long ears"
"Ohl but that Is not so, mi alma"
said laughing voice, ASA young In
dian girl came out from the last hut
in the village, and fell into step be-
side Juana. "for my father saw her,
and said that she was fair to see,
straight and slim as rush, with yell
low hair, and eyes purple as her
darkest iris flower. Have you ever
seen her, friend?"
mo-" said Luis shortly.
Maybe you will see her, If you de-
sire It, Do you, amigo9"
"No-noi" Juana said hurriedly.
mo, indeed, we desire no such thing.
We go to new life in the village of
Todos, where my husbands brother
is head man"
"But 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 I
have met her, Matshi Skoneon!"
The Indian girl looked at him and
laughed softly.
"Oh! but you are bold, Luis. son
of Luis" she said. How did you
guess that I was the Lady of the
Iris?"
II saw devil looking out Of your
eyes, Matshi Skoneon," Luis answer
ed frankly, "and SO knew. Hush,
my hearth" as Juana stopped short,
sobbing and trembling. and entreat-
ing him to turn back. "Hushi I ran
my races, and trained my arms, and
welded thee for this thing alone,
Juana; that / might lift from my
people the curse Of the Iris woman"
"Ah! but am 1 not fair to see /.
fairer than your Juana, LuisY Look
at me now"
The Lady of the Iris walked on his
right now, and her semblance had
changed from that of young Indian
girl to the appearance of tall. slim
white woman, with long, loose yell
low hair, half hiding her naked bo-
som, and deep blue eyes cleaning
mischievously under loose wreath
of f1ag-fiowers.
."And you are beautiful, yes" Luis
said resolutely. but I have come
here to slay you, Matshi Skoneon."
"You must walk far, them" the
Lady Of the Iris said. with wicked
smile, "for my home Is In the middle
of the marshes"
II 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, whore the thorns
were thick along the way, and scar
let 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 horny, but the Indian pa
tience Is endless. and when Juana's
feet gave out Luis carried her; and
presently. when the stars were out,
there came to Luis's weary eyes the
CLEAN of wet marshes and the glitter
of many wandering ights-possibly
lost souls of the witch's many vic
Tins.
Here Is my house." the Lady Of
the Iris said, "and you are welcome.
I must go and see how my children
the irises have done without me the
four days"
Husband and wife waited in ST.
lence till she had been gone some
minutes, then Luis lifted his half
fainting wife from the ground and
kissed her on lips and forehead with
grave, gentle kisses that had In them
something of farewell.
"You shall rock no child of mine,
Juana." he said, softly, "and shall
not see you wither, and then have to
take to myself younger wife, and
swear to me that you will obey me,
Juana--no, not by San Domingo or
Santa Maria; you shall swear by the
devil who is Matshi Skoneon's mas
ter"
81 swear by 81 Diablo," Juana
muttered that / will obey you, my
husband; and crossing herself
hastily-"may San Domingo stand
between me and my oath. What am
to dor Luis, you will not send me
from Won 2"