The Slave Sculptor — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

90 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR sciousness. She was, however, speedily restored, when their reunion was one of bliss too great fur expression. After awhile, their lips found words to relate their wonderful ex- periences, the strange priest sat a silent listener; and not until the gray tinge of morning was visble in the east, did Maxtla and the riest prepare to depart. Urging Mazina to be cheerful, the two rave men stepped out into the morning twilight, and were soon gone toward thecity, where the great battle for life and country and glory was so soon to be fought and won and lost again forevermore. Another step! A noise in the outer chamber. Now it was in the passage-way. Was one of her friends returning? She had thrilling thoughts of a kiss from Maxtla, as the step drew near, and stood with open arms to welcome her beloved. The curtain She sprang back with an exclamation of alarm, for the detested To- luca stood before her ! ** So, so ! my pretty bird,’’ he said with a sneer; ‘‘ you are caught at last.’’ Toluca came boldly forward, and laid his hand upon her shoul. der, when she darted away as from the touch of a leper, and cried : ** Oh, leave me! Why are you here, hated man? Leave me to myself !”? ar ** Indeed ! ’? he replied; ‘* 1 could not think of it. I have sworn that you should be mine, dead or alive, and [ meant what I said. This night I will fulfill my oath, so you may as well be quiet. You are now in my power, beyond interference.’’ The blood had almost ceased to throb in her veins, and her heart lay still in her breast. Horror stared her boldly in the face. She strove to nerve herself for the unequal struggle. ** T shall not submit to any insult,’ she firmly said; “I shall de. fend myself as best I can, from your polluting touch. Wretch, I scorn you |”? ‘“*So I suppose,’’ responded the villain, indifferently. * I have , already, suflicient experience to convince me of that; but, submit you shall. These walls are strong and thick; and, if they were not, it would make no difference, as no one is near to hear. I could not have asked, nor planned a more fitting place to compel you to my purposes.’’ ** Tuluca !’’ and Mazina was deathly calm. ‘‘ So sure as the geds give me life, I will strike you down. Away with you, Lsay, or by the great sun, I will let out your heart’s vile blood ! ”” ‘*} like your spirit by the gods!’’ he remarked, with a hatefal smile. ‘* [faney your courage, indeed I do;’’ and he stepped for- ward with extended arms. ‘¢ Back! villain! ’’ she cried in agony of spirit. ‘ Back! I say, ponder one moment, ere you move another step.”’ ‘¢ Ponder? ’’ he answered, in u mocking tone, while his eye burned with its hellish fire. ** Ponder? I did that monthsago. Then you scoffed at my professions of love, and laughed at my discoinfiture, Now the scales have turned. “Tis for me to sneer and seoff; but comicbooks.com