Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-05-23
The Strange Story
ALLAN UATERMAIN'S WIFE
BY Il. RIDER HAGGARD.
A NEW AFRICAN ROMANCE.

A NEW AFRICAN ROMANCE.
"Oh, father" said Stella, don't have
her killed. 1t is all dreadful enough, but
that would be more dreadful still have
been very fond of her, and, bad as she is,
she has loved me. Don't have her killed
on my marriage day"
NO" her father answered. "she shall
not be killed, for though she deserves to
die, will not have her blood upon our
hands. She is a brute, and has followed
the nature of brutes. She shall 20 back
whence she came"
No more was said on the matter at the
time, but when breakfast-which was
rather n iarce-was done, Mr.. Carson sent
for hia head man and gave him certain
orders.
We were to be married after the service
which Mr. Carson held every Sunday
morning in the large marble hut set apart
for that purpose. The service began at
ten o'clock, but long before that hour all
the natives on the place came up in troops,
singing as they came. to be present at the
wedding Of the Star"
1t was pretty sight to see them, the
men dressed in all their flncry, and carry.
Ing shields and sticks III their hands and
the women and children bearing green
branches of trees, ferns and flowers. At
length, about half past nine, Stella rose,
pressed my hand, aud left me to my re-
Elections. Az few minutes to ten she re-
appeared again with her father dressed in
white veil a wreath Of orange flowers on
her dark curling hair, bouquet of orange
flowers In her hand. To me she see med
like a dream of lovelness. With her
came little Tota in high state Of glee and
excitement. She was Stella's only brides
maid
Then we all passed out towards the
church hut. The bare space in front Of
IT was filled with hundreds Of natives.
who set up song as we came. But we
went on into the hut which was crowded
with such OF the natives as usually wor-
shipped there. Here Mr. Carson, AS usual,
read the service, though he was Obliged to
sit down in order to do so. When IL was
done-and TO me IL seemed interminable-
Mr.. Carson whispered to me that he meant
TO marry outside the hut in sight Of all
the people, so we went out and took our
stand under the shade OF large tree that
grew near tho hut facing tho bare space
where the natives were gathered.
Mr.. Carson held up his hand to enJon
silence. Then, speaking in the native
to make us man and wife after the Chris
tian fashion and in the sight OF all men.
This done, he proceeded to read the mar
riage ser zee over US, and very sOlemnly
aud beautifully he did it. We said tho
words, placed the ring WAS her faith
er's siRnet ring, for we had no other--upon
Stella's fingers, and it was done.
Then Mr. Carson spoke ALLAN and
Stella" he said, II believe that the cere-
mony which has been performed makes
you man and wife in the sight of God and
man, for nil that is necessary to max
marriage binding is, that it should be
celebrated according to the custom of the
country where the parties to it reside.
IL Is according to the custom that has
been In force here for fifteen years or more
that you have been married in the face OF
all the people, and in token Of il you will
both sign the registry that | have keeps OF
such marriages, among hose of my PEG
pie that have adopted the Christian faith
Still, IN case there should be any legal
flaw again demand the solemn promise
OF you both that on the first opportunity
you will cause this marriage 60 be rc,..le-
bratcd in some civilized land, Do you
promisc2"
I'VE do" we answered
Then the book was brought ont and we
signed our names. At first my wife signed
hers "Stela" only, but her father bade
her write it Stella Carson for the first aud
last time in her life. Then several of the
indunns, or head men, including Old In
dabaHumhi, put their marks In witness
ludaha zimbi drew his mark In the shape
of "A little star, in humorous allusion to
Stella's native name
That register IS before me now as |
write. That, with lock of my darlng's
hair that lies between its leaves, is my
dearest possession. There are all the
names aud marks AS they were written
many years ago beneath the shadow Of the
tree on Bah an KraaIs I'm the wilderness,
but, nlasi aud alasl where are those who
wrote them7
My people" said Mr. Carson when the
singing was done, and we had kissed each
other before them all-"My people, Ma.
eumnzahn aud the Star, my daughter, are
now man and wife, 10 live I'm one kraal
to eat of one bowl, to share one fortune
till they reach the grave Hear now,
INV people, you know this woman" and
turning lie pointed to IIcndrka, who, I'M
seen by us, had been led out of the prison
hut
Yes. yes, We know her." said a little
ring Of head men, who formed the primI.
tive court Of Justice, and after the fashion
Of natives had squattcd themselves in a
eirClc ON tho ground in front OF us I'VE
know her; she is the white babyRn- woman:
she is Heudrika, the body servant OF the
Star"
You know her" said Mr. Carson, "but
you do not know her altogether. Stand
forward, lndaba ztmbi and tell the people
what came about last night in the hut Of
MacumnZahu."
Accordingly old Iudiha zjmbi came for
ward, aud, squattinS down. told his NOV
ing tale with much descriptive force and
many gestures; finishing up by producing
the great knife from which his watchful
ness had saved me.
Fhcu was called upon, and in a few
brief words subStautiatcl his story; in
deed, my face did that IN the sight OF all
mcu
Then Mr. Carson turned to Hrndrika,
who stood in sullcn silence. her eyes fixed
upon tho ground, aud asked her il she had
anythinL t. say.
She looked up boldly and answered
"Macumazahn has robbed me OF the
love or my mistress would have robbed
him OF his life. which is u little thing COM
pared To that which | have lost mt his
hands. have failed and am sorry for
II. for had killed him aud left no trace
the Star would hsve forgotten him aud
shone on me again"
Never murmurcd Stella in my ear:
but Mfr. Carson turned white with wrath.
My people, he said. ''you hear the
words Of this woman. You hear how she
pays yne back, ms and my daughter
whom she swears she loves. She SAYS
that she could have murdered man who
has done her no evil, the man who Is the
husband OF her mistress We saved her
from the hahyans. we tanned her we fed
her, we taught her, and this is how she
pays us back Say, my people, what re
ward shall be given to herr"
Death" said the circle of iudunas,
pointing their thumbs downward, and all
the multitude beyond echoed the word
death"
Death" repeated the head induua, add
ing, "lf YOU save her. my father. we will
STAY her with our own hands. She is a
babyan woman, y devil-womau; ali. YES,
we have heard OF such before; let her be
slain before she works more evil"
Then 1t was that Stella stepped forward
and begged for Hcnuriks's life in moving
terms, She pleaded tho savagery Of the
woman's nature, her long service, and the
affection that she had ALWAYS shown to-
wards hcrs<lf. She said tha: |. whose life