Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-10-12
CHAPTER vII-THE WARNING.

CHAPTER VII-THE WARNING.
Mary Rath was lovely picture as she
leant against the doorpost, with her
showing the dimple in her rounded
elbows, where the loose sleeve fell back;
with her chin raised sufficiently to give q
glimpse of the whiteness of her throat.
She looked drearpiIy out of the half
closed eyes, not upon the familiar stretch
of country, which seemed intolerably
empty of interest, but upon the pictures
and fanoies weaved by q restless mind.
She was of late growing discontinued.
The war had suddenly overthrown her
peace of mind. The gay, restless.
laughter provoking soldiers, who had
called at the house to see and to wonder
at the charms of the young hostess, her
self alone unconscious of the object of
their visits, had awakened her to new
life. They were so different to the pom
derous old Dutchmen, and bashful young
Beers with whom she had been familiar,
and their visits had touched the idle
chords of her nature and set them vibrat-
ing with new emotions.
Capt. Dalston's insulting words had
been the first Jar, and she had reproached
herself bitterly for her disloyalty to the
old order of life, which had flowed on
peacefully with scarcely ripple. But
that unruffied calm could not return-a
stormy brook had shot into its course.
She dismissed her reflection with
Sigh. and with returning consciousness
to outward things, her eyes rested upon
q moving object far away. A tiny speck
of black that came steadily on, and set
Ting down to watch its progress, she
saw it grow and take human shape.
Then she noticed the swing of an arm
now the left, now the right-as the other
was raised to steady some burden carried
on the head.
at is Pala. -
There was no doubt about that, for
while still q long way off-the Zulu girl
raised her voice in greeting. With
rapid swinging gait that sent her short
kirtles of braided skin swishiug right and
left, Pala approached, straight as a dart,
with rounded limbs and bust of Venus;
her only ornament ,sthe famous necklet
from the young chief, and deep edging
of varied colored beads to her kIrtle.
From her head she lifted heavy earth
enware pot of native make, filed with
amasi Chick milk. Then she stood
with hands clasped and eyes downcast.
news that you have forgotten to smile?'
"My heart is heavy said Pala. in
melodious Sesuto tongue.
'What is it, little one? Tell me.
Pala looked up into The white girls
face, then, with preliminary sweep of
her arm round the horizon, she began
her story, emphasizing every point with
graceful gestures and pausing to let her
words sink deep.
81 found two old women shelterless on
the hill side. The white man had burnt
their huts and left them in the cold of
the night wind. 1 gave Them food; it is
not that which Expresses me.
81 went on lamenting, but sorrow
awaited me at the kraal of Inanda. The
mealie pits were opened in the cattle
kraal, and the baskets that the women
had woven for the crops were torn asun-
der. The place was empty, and dog
howled because of the desolation. 1t is
war. 1t is not for that am sad.
al went on, weeping, up to the
caverns in the krantz beyond. There [
found the women and children. They
were hungry; they cried aloud that their
focks were scattered and their homes
destroyed. Iii war"
"War IS cruel,' said Mary gently,
"but happiness will come again. -
Pala shook her head.
"Have you lost your chef?'' added
Mary, with swift insight into the others
trouble.
alt is true. found him and behold
he is goue.'' She drew herself proudly
up and her eyes flashed. 'He was
Sirayo, the great chief, the fighter, the
leader OF the army. 1t was he who gave
me this necklet-now he is dead.''
She showed no sign of grief. est is
war; she added after a long pause.
'sHe has washed his spear in the blood |
of his enemies and his name is a terror. |
II Is not for that 1 am sad
81 sorrow for you, Pala,'' said Mary |
gently.
"Grieve not for me, white girl. 1t Is
for yourself 1 MOURN
"For me?'
"lt is so mistress. Did you not give |
shelter to a white man?'
"Surely-he went but this morning,
bet what has that to do with me?''
sit was he who slew Sirayo,'' said |
Pala, fiercely. "But it was not a fair |
fight, for BY his arts he called to his aid |
the bodies of dogs. -
the white man himself was torn by the |
dogs.''
"Then where is Sirayo? They found |
his gun, the blade of his assegai-but no |
sign of hIm-not the least. 1t was I'M
pagati (witchcrafD.
Nonsense, Pala! you are still child. |
But what has this to do with me?''
'sAh! his people traced the white man |
here. They would have slain you in the
night, but that the dog howled and the
spirit of the dead walked.''
"You must fly, mistress! You must |
fly, fly, fiy!" Pala's forced calmness
gave way to excitement. Her eyes
flashed, her body writhed, she gesticu-
lated. They are coming-men with |
spears, fierce, relentless as tigers. They |
will destroy everything here, even my be-
loved sister,
Ono Pala. they would not touch me.
l am safe.''
"No-no-do not shut your eyes. They
are no longer men, 1 tell you. They are
Mary looked pityingly at the excited
girl. escrow has made you weak, sit |
down and rest while 1 prepare the even
ing meal.
''Talk not to me of eating. 1 would |
not cry down my own people, and my |
own sorrow I have subdued to keep my |
mind clear to warn you. Hearken to me |
what I say ia true -