Page:Weird Tales Volume 5 Number 1 (1925-01).djvu/60

he had no mind to let any such thing interfere with his plan.

"I understand all this," he answered steadily. "I still wish Taia for my wife."

Without another word the priest turned and left them, motioning them to await his return. Presently he came back again, followed by the two brothers of Taia and several of the Indians of the village. Joining the hands of the two, he went rapidly through a sort of ritual, of which Martin could understand only a word here and there. Then he took from around Taia's slim throat a golden chain, from which hung the familiar golden disk, and this he hung around Martin's own neck, and lifting Martin's right hand he laid it upon the girl's bowed head.

"You are now one," he said. "Walk together in the law. Take heed lest sorrow come through fault of your own, since sorrow earned is sorrow doubled."

Turning gravely, he walked out of the hut, followed by the others, and Taia and Martin were left alone. The girl was pale, and Martin kissed the heavy-lidded eyes and begged her to smile again, but the grim manner of the priest had put a chill upon her spirits which nothing but love could lift again.

The days that followed were the happiest days that Martin had ever known. Spring was well advanced in the mountains, and daily he walked abroad, leaning upon Taia's arm and drinking in the beauty and wonder of the world. Soon he had no real need of her assistance, so quickly did his own strength return, but still he leaned upon her, because he saw that it gave her such pleasure to feel herself of service to him, When they walked forth over the carpet of wild flowers that everywhere spread before them, she was as gay and happy as a little child.

But presently, underneath Martin's smiling exterior, a fever of impatience began growing. Although he was still young, he had long-ago left the days of innocence behind him, and the sweetness of this quiet life began to pall upon him. Again and again he tried to lead the conversation back to the subject of the hidden temple, for after all, that was the thing that was keeping him in this stupid Indian village.

But Taia, who was eager to anticipate his every other wish, would not speak of the one subject upon which his heart was set. As his impatience grew, his temper waxed short, and presently, before three weeks had passed from the day of their marriage, he spoke sharply to her, so that she turned away to hide the tears.

He was quick to beg her pardon for this lapse, for some instinct told him that she was not a woman who could be brow-beaten into submission. Only love could win her to his will.

One day, after Martin had definitely thrown away his cane, they walked far up the mountainside and sat down an overhanging ledge. Below them lay the high plateau with the village near its upper end, while the flocks grazed peacefully on the grassy slopes below.

Martin watched them idly; he had no interest in flocks and herds. Taia, however, was a born herdswoman, and talked incessantly of the flocks and the good pasture, which made them fat and frisky. Martin wished she would talk of something else.

"Is it not wonderful?" she exclaimed for the tenth time. "One, two, three years and everything goes well with the flocks. Plenty of grass, no sickness, no trouble, everything so happy! When you are quite well, beloved, then you will go out with the other men and watch the flocks, is it not so? I shall be so happy when you are quite as the others, only I know you are so clever and so brave,