The Slave Sculptor — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FRUITLESS SEARCH. 17 “* Your command shall be obeyed. He stands too much in my way for me to remain inactive.’’ **« Is Mazina less obstinate, since my last interviews with her? ”’ “‘ Not a particle,’ and there was a sudden contracting of the muscles upon his face. ‘* She asserts boldly that she cannot love me, and she will not marry me.”’ “* She shall, Toluca! or she shall feel the vengeance of my power I will not allow the heartless ingrate to trample upon my authori ty. Toluca! she shall be your bes Lond SO pre ine old no bleman grew red in the face, as he gesticulated fiercely. A low, suppressed laugh startled them. They searched the apart — ment; but discovered nothing near. After a short silence, during which they listened in vain for a repetition of the sound, Lord Ahu- “* Go and say to Mazina, that I would see her.’’ ** I will do so,’ and the young man left the saloon. That moment Meztli glided cautiously away from under the open Pee oy ae among the shrubbery, and immediately en- Toluca soon returned stating that Mazina was in the , that she had dismissed her attendants at the bower. A flash o suspicion shot across his mind. He started suddenly as if some quick impulse moved him, and, without waiting his father’s reply, hastily left the palace. Taking a slave with him, he was soon seated ina barge, gliding swiftly over the water of a narrow canal, toward the arbor. The result oat spnedition has been narrated. P The slaves pitately, on the first apy of the white- haired man, and even Toluca himself, could but wonder at the un- and efficient interruption, ithout visiting Lord Ahuitzol on his return, Toluca repaired di- rectly to the eastern balcony of the palace, overlooking the park, in the di of the scene, where soating himself in a thick Lower of vines, he endeavored to ease his perturbed mind. At the same time cape ada “3 5 ies ab peoerio cian reac moments he was a light 1, and Meztli stood before him. | areas She leaned her arm familiarly upon his shoulder, bowed her head ibang her lips almost touched his cheek, then, in a low whis- per, said : ‘*T thought you would be lonesome here alone, and I came to see you, Toluca. You used to ask me to accompany you, but now I am of little account. Your thoughts have turned toward another, and the old one has been cast away as worthless. Say, is it not 80? *’ é ‘- young man made an impatient gesture, yet, she quietly con- inned : ‘* Toluca, did you make those fair promises only for purposes of your own? Did you promise to give me my freedom, and make me your hovored wife, when no such puryose was ever settled in your heart ? comicboolks.com