The Slave Sculptor — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

THE WHITE-HAIRED STRANGER. 25 “Gh, Maxtla! you are surely mistaken. There could no person be more kind to me than she has been.”’ **I trust you may not be deceived, yet 1 would caution you not to confide in her too far until you have thoroughly tested her fidelity.’’ ** Maxtla ! if we were alone, far away from these scenes, entirely alone — in a wilderness — in the mountains, anywhere, utterly alone — we should be happy. It seems that I have no friend in the world but you. All others are enemies;’’ and leaning her head against his shoulder, she gave way to her grief. ‘* We shall, dear Mazina,”’ he replied, “ some day realize the full extent of our hopes. We shall triumph over enemies, and 0! Ma-— zina, will we not be happy? For years we have struggled against fearful odds. We have been slaves together. Our past is a deep mystery, yet our hearts, from the first, appeared to draw toward ‘each other by strong cords — sometimes they seemed stronger than mere love. Oh, that I could raise the vail from the past— that I could ag jae to our childhood — our infancy, yea, birth and pa- ren , TS A tation in the bushes interrupted them. The white-haired stran- ger stepped into the opening. One moment his gaze rested upon the lovers; then quickly raising his right hand he pointed, with a significant motion to the pal- ace; a silent yet imperative command which caused Maxtla and Ma- zina to spring to their feet. The stranger passed on, and disappeared among the bushes. Maxtlaand his companion quickly left the retreat, and hurried toward the palace. As they passed along, Maxtla’s quick eye de- tected the forms of three men, crouched on the earth close to where they had been seated; yet, not desiring needlessly to frighten his already trembling ion, the young man hurried forward, with- out communicating to her his discovery. Reaching the entrance to the palace, Maxtla bade her good night, promising to see her again on the following evening. He then off across the park toward his studio, little dreaming that he parted with her for many 4 of trialand torture. As Mazina drew near the doorway, Meztli came running up, and, issing her hand, requested her company to a short ride in a boat. It was early in the evening, and Mazina consented. Meztli -expert with the oar, and loved to be on the water, While Mazina, having often accompanied her on similar expeditions, had no fears. They were soon gliding slowly down the canal, through the park, teward the wider channel which led into the open Meztli appeared in high spirits. Mazina was so amused that she forgot herself, and before she was aware of it they had passed from the channel, out upon the smooth waters of Tozcuco. At that moment, another boat, bearing three men, was discovered pursuing them. Mazina beeame frightened, and urged immediate eA comiclbooks.conn