Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 28 July 1899 — Page 11

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Orawfordsvllle, Ind. Breeder and Shi thoroughbred POLAND

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Montezuma's Daughter.

By H. EIDER HA&GAED.

fCrpyright, 1893, by the Author.]

Awniie wont by, and I saw that wo had loft tin: city and were passing up a steep hill beneath the. shadow of mighty cedar trees, Presently we halted in a courtyard, and hero 1 was bidden to alight. Then tho Prince Guatemoc led me into a wondrous house, of which all tho rooms were rool'ed with cedar wood and its walls hunt with richly colored cloths, and in that house gold seemed as plentiful ns bricks and oak are with us in England. Led by domest ic:-, who bore cedar wands in their hands, we went through many passages and rooms tiil at length wo camo to a chamber where other domostics wero awaiting 11s, who washed us with scented waters and clothed 11s 111 gorgeous apparel. Thence they conducted ustoadoor, where we were bidden to remove our shoes, and a course colored robe was given to each of us to hide our splendid dress. The robes having been put 011, we were suffered to pass tho door and found ourselves in a vast chamber in which wero many noble men and some women, all standing and clad in coarse robes. At tho far end of this chamber was a gilded screen, and from behind it floated sounds of sweet music.

NOT. as we stoo(l in the great chamber, that was lighted with sweet smelling torches, many men advanced and greeted Guatemoc, the prince, and I noticed that all of them looked upon me curiously. Presently a woman came, and I saw that her beauty was great. She was tall and stately, and beneath her rough outer robe splendidly attired in worked and jeweled garments. Weary and bewildered as I was, her loveliness seized me. as it were, in a vise—never before hod I seen such loveliness, for her evo was proud and full like the eye of a buck, her curling hairfcll upon her shoulders, and her features were very nohle, yet tender almost to sadness, though at times she could seem fierce enough. This lady was yet in her first youth perchance 6ho may have seen somo 18 years, but her shape was that of a full grown woman and most royal. "Greeting, Guatemoc, my cousin," she 6aid in a sweet voice. '"So you aro come at last. My royal father has awaited you for long and will ask questions as to your delay. My 6istcr, your wife, has wondered also why you tarried."

Now, as sho spoke, I felt rather than saw that this lady was searching me with her eyes. "Greeting, Otomie, my cousin," answered the prince. ''I have been delayed by tho accidents of travel. Tabasco is far away also my oharge and companion, Teulo," and he nodded toward me, "met with an accident on the road." "What was tho accident?" she asked. "Only this—that he saved me from tho Jaws of a puma at the risk of his life when all tho others fled from me and was somewhat hurt in the deed. He saved me thus, —and in a few words ho told tho story.

Sho listened, and I saw that her eyes sparkled at the tale. When it was done, sho spoke again, and this timo to me. 'J Welcome, Teule," sho said, smiling. "You are not of our people, yet my heart goes out to such a man." And, still smiling, she left us. "Who is that great lady?'I asked ol Guatemoc. "That is my cousin Otomie, the princess of the Otomie, my uncle Montezuma's favorite daughter," ho answered. "SIK likes you, Teule, and that is well for you for many reasons. Hush I"

Aslie spolio llie scrcen at the far end of tho chamber was drawn aside. Beyond it a man sat upon a broidered cushion, who was inhaling the fumes of the tobacco weed from a gilded pipe of wood, after the Indian fashion. This man, who was no other than the monarch Montezuma, was of a tall build and melancholy countenance, having a very pale face for ono of his nation, and thin, black hair. He was dressed in a white robe of the purest cotton and wore a golden belt and sandals set with pearls, and on his head a plume of feathers of the royal green. Behind him were a band of beautiful girls somowliat slightly clothed, some of whom played on lutes and other instruments of music, and on either side stood four ancicnt counselors, all of them barefooted and clad in the ooarsest garments.

So soon as the scrcen was drawn all the company in the chamber prostrated themselves upon their knees, an example that I hastenocl to follow, and thus they rcmain-

A man sat upon a broidered cushion in. haling thej nines of the tobacco. ed till tho emperor made a sign with tho gilded bowl of his pipe, when they rose to their feet again and stood with folded hands and eyes fixed abjectly upon the floor. Presently Montezuma made another signal, and thrco aged men, whom I understood to bo embassadors, advanced and asked somo prayer of him. Ho answered them with a nod of tho head, and they retreated from his presence, making obeisance and stepping backward till tlicy mingled with the crowd. Then tho emperor spoko a word, to one of tho counselors, who bowed and came slowly down the hall, looking to the right and to tho left. Presently his eye fell upon Guatemoc, and indeed I10 was easy to see, for ho stood a head taller than any there. "Hail, prince," ho said. "Tho royal Montezuma desires to speak with you, and with the Toulo, your companion." "Do as I do, Teulo," said Guatemoc, and lod tlx: way up the chamber till we reached the placo where the wooden scrcen had been, which, as we passed it, was drawn behind us, shutting us off from the hall.

Here we stood awhile, with folded hands and downcast eyes, till a signal was made to us to advance. "Your report, nephew," 6aid Montezuma in a low voice of command.

l'I

went to the city of Tabasco, O glorious Montezuma. I found the Teulo and brought him thither also I caused the high priest to be sacrificed according to tho royal cowmandt ,&nd jiQBLiiaad book the

imperial signet," and he gavo the ring to a counselor. "Why did you delay so long upon tl»e road, nephew:" "Because of tho chances of tho journey. While saving my life, royal Montezuma, tho Teule, my prisoner, was bitten by a puma. Its skin is brought to you as an offering."

Now Montezuma looked at 1110 for tho first time, then opened a picture scroll that ono of tho counselors handed to him and read in it, glancing at 1110 from time to time. "The description is good," ho said at length, "in all savo ono thing—it does not say that this prisoner is tho handsomest mail in Anahuao. Say, Teule, why have your countrymen landed onmy dominions and slain my people?"' *'I know nothing of it, O king," I answered as well as I might, with tho help of Guatemoc,"and they aro not my countrymen. "The report says that you confcss to having tho blood of theso Teiiles in your ve,ins, and that you came to theso shores, or near them, in ono of their great canoes." "That is so, O king, yet I am not of their people, and I came to tho slioro floating on a barrel." "I hold that you lie,"answered Montezuma, frowning,"'for tho sharks and crocodiles would devour one who swam thus." Then ho added anxiously, "Say, aro you of tho descendants of Quetzal?" "I do not know, O king. I am of a white race, uul our forefather was named Adam." "Percharco that is another namo for Quetzal," he said. "It has long been prophesied that his children would return, and now it seems that tho hour of their coming is at hand." And he sighed heavily, then added: "Go now. Tomorrow you shall toil me of theso Teules, and tho council of the priests shall decido your fate."

Now, when I hoard tho names of the priests, I trembled in all my bones and cried, clasping my hands in supplication: ''Slay mo if you will, O king, but I bo secch you deliver 1110 not again into tho hands of tlie priests." "Wo aie all in tho hands of the priests, who are the mouth of God," ho answered coldly. Besides I hold that you have lied to me.''

Then I went, foreboding evil, and Guatemoc also looked downcast. Bitterly did I curse tho hour when I had said that I was of the Spanish blood and yet no Spaniard. Had I known even what I knew that day, torture would not liavo wrung those words from 111c. But now it was too late.

Now Guatemoc led 1110 to certain apartments of this palace of Chapoltepcc, where his wife, tho royal Princess Tecuichpo, was awaiting him, a very lovely lady, and with her other ladies, among them tho Princess Otomie, Montezuma's daughter, and some nobles. Hero a rich repast was served to us, and I was seated next to the Princoss Otomie, who spoko to mo most graciously, asking mo many things concerning my land and tho peoplo of the Teules. It was from her that I learned first that tho emperor was much disturbed at heart beeause of theso Teules, or Spaniards, for ho was superstitious and held them to be tho children of the god Quetzal, who, according to ancient prophecy, would come to talco tho land. Indeed so gracious wa3 she, and so royally lovely, that for tho first time I felt my heart stirred by any other woman than my betrothed whom I had left far away in England, and whom, as I thought, I should never see again. And, as I learned in after days, mino was not tho only heart that was stirred that night.

Near to us sat another royal lady, Papantzin, the sister of Montezuma, but she was neither young nor lovely, and yet most sweet faced and sad, as though with tho presage of death. Indeed sho died not many weeks after, brut couiu not rest quiot in her grave, as shall bo told.

When tho feast was done and we had drunk of tho cocoa or chocolato and smoked tobacco in pipes, a strango but most soothing custom that I learned in Tabasco, and of which I have never been able to break myself, though tho weed is still hard to como by here in England, I was led to my sleeping place, a small chamber, paneled with cedar boards. For awhile I could not sleep, for I was overcome by the memory of all tho strango sights that I had scon in this wonderful new land, which was so civilized and yet so barbarous.

Then my thoughts flew to tho vision of that most lovely maid, the Princess Otomie, who, as I believed, had looked on me so kindly, and I found that vision swoet, for I was young, and tho English Lily, my own love, was far away and lost to me forever. Was it then wonderful that I should find this Indian poppy fair? Indeed where is tho man who would not have been overcome by hor swecetnoss, her beauty and that stamp of royal grace which comes with kingly blood and the daily exercise of powor? Liko tho rich wonders of the robo sho wore, her very barbarism, of which now I saw but the better side, drew and dazzled my mind's eye, giving her woman's tenderness somo now quality, somber and strange, an eastern richness which is lacking in our well schooled English women, that at one and the same stroke touched both tho imagination and the senses and through them enthralled the heart.

For Otomie seemed such a woman as men dream of, but very rarely win, seeing that tho world has few such natures anil fewer nurseries where they can be reared. At onco pure and passionate, of royal blood and heart, rich naturcd and most womanly, yet bravo as a man and beautiful as tho night, with a mind athirst for knowledge and a spirit that 110 sorrows could avail to quell, over changing in her outer moods, and yet most faithful and with the honor of a man, such was Otomie, Montezuma's daughter, princess of tho Otomie. Was it wonderful then that I found her fair, or, when fate gave 1110 her love, that at last I loved her in turn? And yet there was that in her nature which should have held mo back had I but known of it, for, with all her charm, her beauty, and her virtues, at heart she was still a' savage, and, strive as sho would to hide it, at times her blood would master her.

But as I lay in tho chamber of tho palace of Chapoltepcc tho tramp of tho guards without my door reminded mo that I had little now to do with lovo and other dolights, I whoso lifo hung from day to day upon a hair. Tomorrow tho priests would decido my fate, and when tho priests wero judges tho prisoner might know tho sentence beforo it was spoken. I was a stranger and a whito man, surely such a ono would prove an offering moro accoptablo to tho gods than that furnished by a thousand Indian hearts. I had been snatched from the altars of Tabasco that I might grace tho higher altars of Tenoctitlan, and that was all. My fato would bo to perish miserably far from my home, and in this world never to bo heard of more.

Musing thus sadly, at last I slept. When woke, the sun was up. Rising from my mat, I went to tho wood barred window _an&- leaked- tliRmglv tho palace

whonco I gazed was placet! oil the crest of a rocky hill. On one sldo this hill was bathed by tho bluo waters of Teacuoot 011 tho other, a mile or 1110ro away, roso tho temple towers of Mexico. Along tho slopes of the hill attd in some directions for a milo from Its baso \v hugo ccdar trees, ir\i hung a gray and

from tho bought ghostly looking 1 lnruo that the sin, than he best I Ingham, while paces round! theso marvc tho gardens strange and

Theso trees aro so st of them is bigger !.i this parish of Ditchgreatest measures 22 e. :!eyond and between ap.il ancient trees were* ntemmia, that wit,h their oiis ''lowers, their marble

baths, their aviaries end wild beast dens were, as 1 believe, the most wonderful in the whole wnrid. L'ho gardens Montezuma have been long destroyed, but somo of the cedars still flourish at Chapo!topee, though the Spaniard.* cut down many. One of them, which tradition V.. was a favorite treo of the great emperor's, measures—according to a rough calculation the author of this book made upon tho spot— about 00 foot round tho bole. It is strange to think that a few ancicnt conifers should alone survive of all lie glories of Monte zuma's wealth and state.] "At the least," thought I to myself, "oven if I must die, it, is something to have seen this country of Anahuao, its king, its customs and its people."

CHAPTER XIII. THOMAS 1SUCOMES A GOD.

Littlo did I, plain Thomas Wingflcld, gentleman, know when I rose that morning that before sunset I should bo a god, and, after Montezuma, tho emperor, tho most honored man, or rather god, in the City of Mexico.

It came about thus: When I had breakfasted with the household of tho Prince Guatcmoc, I was led to tho hall of justico, which was named tho "tribunal of God." Hero on a gulden throne sat Montezuma, administering justico in such ponp as I cannot describe. About him woro his counselors and great lords, and beforo him was placed a human skull crowncd with emeralds so largo that a blazo of light went up from theij^ In his hand also ho held an arrow for a scepter. Certain chiefs or ctvziques wore on their trial for treason, nor were they left, long in doubt as to their fate, for when somo ovidenco had been heard they wero asked what they had to say in their defonso. Each of them told his talo in few words and short. Then Montezuma, who till now had said and done nothing, took tho painted scroll of their indictments and pricked it with tho arrow in his hand where tho picturo of each prisoner appeared upon tho scroll. Then they were led away to death, but how they died I do not know.

When this trial was finished, certain priests entered tho hall clothed in sablo robes, their matted hair hanging down their backs. They were fiercc, wild eyed men of great dignity, and I shivered when I saw them. I noticed also that they alone made small reverenco to tho majesty of Montezuma. Tho counselors and nobles having fallen back, these priests entered into talk with the emperor, and presently two of them oaino forward, and taking mo from tho custody of tho guards led mo forward beforo tho throne. Then of a sudden I was commanded to strip myself of my garmonts, and this I did, with no little shame, till I stood naked before them all. Now the priests came forward and examined every part of me closoly. On my arms wero tho scars left by Do Garcia's sword, and on my breast tho scaroely healed marks of tho puma's tooth and claws. These wounds they scanned, asking how I had como by thorn. I told them, and thereupon they carried on a discussion among themselves and out of my hearing, which grew so warm that at length they appealed to the emperor to decido the point. He thought awhilo, and I heard him say: "Tho blemishes do not 001110 from within the body, nor were they upon it at birth, but have been inflicted by tho violcnoo of man and beast.''

Then tho priests oonsulted together again, and presently their leader spoko some words into the oar of Montezuma. Ho nodded, and rising from his throna canto toward 1110, who stood naked and shivering beforo him, for tho air of Mexico is keen. As I10 advanced he loosed a chain of emeralds and gold that hung about his neck and unclasped tho royal cloak from his shoulders. Then with his own hand I10 put tho chain about my throat and tho cloak upon my shoulders, and having humbly bent tho'knoo before mc, as though in adoration, ho cast his arms about 1110 and embraced me. •'Hail, most blessed," he said, "divine son of Quetzal, holder of tho spirit of Tezcat, soul of tho world, creator of tlie world. What have wo done that you should'lionor us thus with your prosenoo for a season? What can wo do to pay tho honor back? You created us and all this country behold, while you tarry with us, it is yours, and we aro nothing but your servants! Order and your oommands shall 1)0 obeyed think and your thought shall bo executed lie fore it can pass your lips. O Tezcat, I, Montezuma, your servant, offer you my adoration and through 1110 the adoration of all my people," and again lie bowed tho knee "Wo adoro you, O Tezcat!" chimed 'n the priests.

Now I remained silent and bewildered, for of all tliis foolery I could understand nothing, and while I sfood thus Montezuma clapped his hands and women entered, bearing beautiful clothing with them and a wreath of flowers. The clothing they put upon my body and tho wreath of flowers 011 my head, worshiping me tho while and saying: •'Tezcat, who died yesterday, is come again. Bo joyful Tezcat has como again in the body of the captivo Toulo."

Then I understood that I was now a god and the greatest of gods, though at that moment within myself I felt more of a fool than I had ever been before.

And now men appeared, grave and reverend in appearance, bearing lutes in their hands. I was told that these were my tutors, and with them a train of royal pages, who were to bo my servants. They led me forth from tho hall, making music as they went:, and beforo me marched a herald, calling out that this was tho god Tezcat, soul of tho world, creator of tho world, who had como again to visit his peoplo. They led 1110 through all tho courts and endless chambers of tho palaco, and whorever I went man, woman and child bowed themselves to tho earth before mo and worshiped me, Thomas Wingflcld of Ditchingham, in tho county of Norfolk, till I thought that I must bo mad.

Then tlioy placed 1110 in a litter and carried me down tho hill Chapoltepeo and along causeways and through streets till wo came to tho great square of tho temple. Beforo mo went heralds and priests, after me followed pages and nobles, and ever as wo passed the multitudes prostrated themselves till I began to understand how wearisomo a thing it is to bo a god. Next they carried 1110 through tho wall of serpents and up tho winding paths of the mighty tcoc&lli till reached tho summit, where tho temples and idols stood, and hero a ftreftt drum boat, and tho priests

sacrificed victim after victim In my honor, and I grew sick with the sight of wickedness and blood. Presently they invited 1110 to descend from the litter, laying rich carpets and flowers for my feet to trend on. and I was much afraid, for I thought that they wero atxmt to sacrifice me to myself or some other divinity. But this was not: so. They led me to tho ediie of the pyramid, or as near as I would go, forT shrank back lot they should seize mo suddenly and cast me over the edgv. And there the high priest called out my dignity to the thousands who were assembled Ix'noath, and every one of them bent the knee 111 adoration of me, the priests above and the multitudes below. And so it went on till I grew dizzy with tin- worship, and the shouting, and the music, and tlie sights of death, and very thankful was 1 when at last, they earned me back to ('hapoltopoe.

Hero new honors awaited me, for I was conducted to a splendid range of apartments next to those of the emperor him self, and 1 was told that all Montezuma's household were at: my command and that I10 who relayed to do my bidding should die.

So at last I spoke and said it was my bidding that I should be suffered to res awhilo till a feast was prepared for me ir. tho apartments of Guatcmoc tho prince, for there 1 hoped to moot. Otomio.

My tutors and tho nobles who attended 1110 answered that .Montezuma, my servant, had trusted that 1 would feast with him that night. Still my command should b. dona Then they left me, saving that the\ would come again ill an hour to lead Ine to the banquet. Now 1 threw otf the emblems of my godhead and cast myself down 011 cushions to rest and think, and a cotain exultation took possession of me. for was I not a god, and had I not power ,'Umost absolute? Still, being of a cautious mind, I wondered why I was a gixl and how long my power would last.

Beforo the hour had gone by, pages and nobles entered, bearing new robes, which wero put upon my body, anil fresh flowers to crown my head, and I was led away to tho apartments of Guatemoc, fair women going before 1110 who idayvd upon instruments of music.

Hero Guatemoc tho piinoe waited to roceivo mo, which ho did as though I, his captive and companion, was the first of kings. And yet I thought that I saw merriment in his eye, mingled with sorrow. Bending forward, I spoko to him in a whisper: "What docs all this mean, prince?" I said. "Am I befooled, or am I indeed 11 god?" "Hush!" ho answered, bowing low and speaking beneath his breath. "It means both good and ill for you, my friend Toulo. Another timo I will tell you." Then I10 added aloud: "Does i't plcaso you, O Tezcat, god of gods, that wo should sit at meat with you, or will you eat alone?" "The gods liko good ooir.pany, prinoo," I said.

Now, during this talk I had discovered that among tlio.se gathered in tho hall was tho Princess Otomie. So when we passed to tho low table around which wo woro to sit 011 cushions I hung back, watching where sho would placo hersolf, and then at onco seated myself besldo her. This causcd somo littlo confusion among the company, for tho placo of honor hail been prepared for 1110 at tho head of tho table, tho scat of Guatcmoc being to my right and that of his wife, the royal Tocuichpo, to my left. "Your scat is yonder, O Tczcat," she said, blushing beneath her olivo skin as sho spoke. •'Surely a god may sit where I10 chooses, royal Otomie," I answered. "Besides," I added in a low voice, "what better placo can I10 find than by tho sido of tho most lovely goddess 011 tho earth?"

Again she blushed and answered "Alas, I am 110 goddess, but only a mortal maid! Listen. If you desire that I should bo your companion at our feasts, you must issue it as a command. None will dare to disobey you, not even Montezuma, my father."

So I rose and said in very halting Aztec to tho nobles who waited 011 me, "It is my will that my placo shall always bo set by the sido of the Princess Otomie."

At theso words Otomio blushed even more, and a murmur went round among tho guests, whilo Guatemoc first looked angry and then laughed. But tho nobles, my attendants, bowed, and their spokesman answered: "The words of Tezcat shall bo oboyed. Let tho seat of Otomie, the royal princess, tlio favored of Tezcat, be placed by the sido of tho god.''

Afterward this was always done, except whan I ate with Montezuma himself. Moreover, tho Princoss Otomio became known throughout tho city as "tho blessed prinoees, tho favored of Tezcat," for so strong a hold had custom anil superstition upon this people that they thought it tho greatest of honors to her, who was among tho first ladies in the land, that he who for a littlo space was supposed to hold the spirit of the soul of lie world should deign to desire her companionship when he ate. Now tho feast went on, and presently 1 made shift to ask Otomio what all 1 i:i.might mean. "Alas!" she whispered, "you do in:! know, nor dare 1 tell you now. Hut I will say this, though you""Vvho "aro a god may sit where you wili today an hour shall come when you must lie where you would not. Listen.' When wo havo finished eat ing, say that it is your wish to walk in the gardens of the palace, and that I should accompany you. Then I may find achimei to speak."

Accordingly, when tho feast was over, 1 said that I desired to walk in tho gardens with tho Princess Otomie, and we went out and wandered under the solemn trees that are draped in a winding sheet of gray moss, which, hr.nging from every bough as though the forest had been decked with the white beards of an army of aged men, waved and rustled sadly in tho keen night air. But, :das! we might not be alone, lor after us at a distance of 20 paces followed all my crowd of attendant nobles, together with fairdaneinggirlsand minstrels, armed with their accursed flutes, 011 which they blew in season and out of it, dancing ns they blew. In vain did I command them to bo silent, telling them that it was written of old that, there is a time to pluy aril dance anil a timo to cease from dancin for in this'alone they would not obey r.:e. Never could I be at peace because of them then or thereafter, and not till now did I learn how great a treasure is solitude.

Still we were allowed to wall together under the trees, and though the clamor of music pursued us wherever we went, wo were soon deep in talk. Then it was that I learned how dreadful was the late which overshadowed me. "Know, O Teule," said Otomie, for sho would call me by the old name when there was none to hear, "this is the custom of our land—that every year a young captivo should be chosen to lie tho earthly imago of the god Tozcat, who created tho world. Only two tilings aro necessary to this captive—namely, that his blood should lie noble and that his person should bo beautiful and without flaw or blemish. Tho day that you camo hither, Teule, chanced to lffi thQ (lay_af choosing now captivo to

personate tne gou, ana you nave ucua chosen because you aro both noble and more beautiful than any man in Anahuao, and also liecause, being of the people of tho Teules, the children of Quetzal, of whom so many rumors havo reached lis, and whose coming my father, Montezuma, dreads moro than anything in the world, it was thought by tho priests that you may avert their anger from us and the anger of the gods."

Now Otomio paused as one who has something to soy that sho can scarcely find words to (it, but., I remcmbori tig only what had been said, swelled Inwardly with tho sense of my own greatness and because this lovely princess had doelaml that I \v:.s the most beautiful mail in Anahuao, 1, who, though 1 was well looking enough, had never before been called •'beautiful" by man, woman or child. But in this ease, as in many another, pride went be---. tore a fall. "It must, he spoken, Teule." Otomie continued. "Alas, that it should be I who am faled to tell you. For a year you will rule as god in this city of Tenoctitlan,and except for certain ceremonies that you must, undergo and certain arts which you must learn none will trouble you. Your slightest wish will bo a law, nnd when you smile 011 any it shall bo an omen of good to them, and they will bless you. Even my father, Montezuma, will treat yon with reverenco as an equal or more. Every delight shall bo yotir.i except that of marriage, and lids will lie withheld till tlie twelfth month of the year. Then the four most beautiful maidens in" 1 ho land will be given to you as brides." "And who will choose them?" I asked. "Nay, 1 know not, Teule, who do not meddle in such mysteries," she answered hurriedly. ••Sometimes tlie god is judge, and sometimes the priests judge for him.

It is as it may chance. Listen now to tho end of my tale, and you will surely forget tlie rest. For one month you will live with your wives, and this month you will pass in feasting at all tho noblest houses in the city. On lie last day of the month, however, you will be placed in a royal barge, and, together with your wives, paddled across tlie lako to a placo that is namod Melting of Metais. Thenco you will bo led to tho teocalli, named House of Weapons, where your wives will bid farowell to you forever, and there, Teule—alas, that I must say it !—you aro doomed to bo offered as a sacrifico to tho god whose spirit you hold, the great god Tezcat, l'or your heart will be torn from your body, and your head will bo struck from your shoulders and set upon tho stake that is known as 'post of heads.'

Now, when I heard this dreadful doom, I groaned aloud, and my knees trembled so that I almost fell to the ground. Then great fury seized me, and forgetting my father's counsel I blasphemed tho gods of that country and tho peoplo who worshiped them, first in the Aztec and Maya languages, then, when my knowledge of those tongues foiled mo, in Spanish and good English. But Otomie, who heard somo of my words and guessed more, was seized with fear and llft-eil her hands, saying: "Curse not tho awful gods, I bosocch. you, lest somo terrible thing befall you at onco. If you are overheard, it will bo thought that you havo an evil spirit and not a good ono, and then you must die now anil by torment. At tho least tho gods, who are everywhere, will hear you." •'Let them hear," I answered. "They are false gods, and that country is aocursed which worships them. They aro doomed, I say, and all their worshipers are (loomed. Nay, I care not if I am heard—na well die now by torment as live a year in tho torment of appwxiching death. But I shall not die alone. All tho sea of blood that your priests have slicil cries oub for vengeance to the true God, and ho will avenge."

Thus I roved on, being mail with fear and impotent anger, whilo tho Princess Otomio stood terrified and amassed ut-my blasphemies, and tho flutes pi]Mjil and tho dancers ilonoixl behind us. And as I raved I saw that tlie mind of Otomio wandered from my words, for she was staging towaril tlie oast like 0110 who sees a visio Then I looked also toward tho cost and saw tho sky was alight there, for from tho edge of tho horizon to the higliost parts of heaven spread a fan of palo and fearful light powdered over with sparks of fire, the lumdle of tho fan resting 011 fi*j oarth, as it were, while its wings covered tho eastern sky. Now I ceased my cursing and stood transfixed, and as I stood a ory of terror arose from ail the precincts of the palaco, and peoplo poured from every door to gaze upon tlie portent that fla*od and blaz-od in the east,. Presently Montozuma himself 001110 out, attended by his great lords, and in tliat ghastly li{ ht I sttw that his 1 iins worked and 11 is hands writhed over ouch other. Nor was tho minn:le done with, for anon, from the clear sky that hung over tlie city descended a ball of fire, which seemed t» rest upon tlio points of the lofty temple in the g-eat square, lighting up the teocalli in with tho glare of day. It vanished, but where it luul been another light now burned, for the temple of Ouet.zal was a'iro.

TO JIB CONTINUED.

AT VICTORIA'S COURT.

The queen dislikes cold meat, suedo gloves, artificial flowers and the odor of furs, "Mrs. Wales and daughters" Is the entry made by the princess of Walea In the visitors' book at a country Inn whero she once stopped to hrnch.

The queen Is the possessor of one of tho best-toned pianos in the world —It Is a magnificent Georgiana, made of Amboyna wood. There aro In all (50 pianos in her various palaces.

When members of the queen's family or any German relatives visit London and occupy Buckingham palaco "by Invitation" they pay their board just liko common folks in a first-class hotel.

A

WHEELMAN'S

tool bag isn't com­

plete witbout a bottle r-i Dr. 1 .otnas' Ealefctric Oil. Heals cult, bruises, btingB, sprains Monarch over paiD.

ViHHlalia Line Excursions.

To Montreal, Canada, Aug. 4 and 5, good to return including Aug. 15, oua fare, $20.30, round trip. [{Account world's bicycle meet.

To Culver, {Lake Maxinkuckee)S2.(J0, 83.85, $4 35. Bass Lake, 84.05. Winona, 83.85 and 85.15. St. Joe, Mich., 87.35. Chicago, by boat, 84 85 one way, 87 90 round trip 81 10 to Shadea. Summer rates to Michigan points. Another excursion to Culver in a few weeks.

TEN thousand demons gnawing away at one's vitals couldn'tbe much worse than the tortures of itchiDg piles. Yet there's a cure. Doan's Ointment never fails.