The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-12-12
AN AFRICAN ROMANCE.
CHAPTER XIV.
FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER.


Both Stella and Tota were too weary
to be moved, so we camped that night
in the balloons home, but were troubled
by no balloons. Stella would not sleep
in the cave; she said the place terrified
her, so made her up kind of bed un-
der a thorn tree. AS this rock-bound
valley was one of the hottest places I
ever was in, l thought that this would
not matter; but when at sunrise on the
following morning saw vail of MAS
matte mist hanging over the surface of
the ground, 1 changed my opinion.
However, neither Stella nor Tota
seemed the worse, so as soon as was
practicable we started homewards. 1
had already on the previous day sent
some of the men back to the kraals to
fetch ladder, and when we reached the
cliff we found them waiting for US be-
meath. With the help of ladder the
descent was easy. Stella simply got out
of her rough litter at the top of the cliff,
for we found it necessary to carry her,
climbed down the ladder, aud got into it
again at the bottom.
Well, We reached the kraals safely
enough, seeing nothing more of Hen
drika, and, were this story, doubtless 1
should end it here with-''and lived
happy ever after" But alasl it is not
so. How ami to write it?
My dearest wife's vital energy seemed
completely to fail her now that the dan
ger was past, and within twelve hours
of our return saw that her state was
such as to necessitate the abandonment
of any idea of leaving Babyran kraals at
present. The bodily exertion, the an
guish of mind and the terror that she
had endured during that dreadful night,
combined with her delicate state of
health, had completely broken her
down. To make matters worse also, she
was taken with an attack of fever, con-
tracted, no doubt, in the unhealthy at
mosphere of that accursed valley. In
time she shook the fever off, but it left
her dreadfully weak and quite unfit to
face the tria, before her.
think she knew she was going to die;
she always spoke of my future, never of
our future. 1t is impossible for me to
tell how sweet she was; how gentle,
how patient and resigned. Nor, indeed,
do wish to tell it, it is too sad. But
this Twill say, l believe that if ever a
woman drew near to perfection while
yet living on the earth, Stella Quater-
main did so. ....
The fatal hour drew on. Ny boy
Harry was born, and his mother lived
to kiss and bless him. Then she sank.
We did what we could, but we had little
skill, and might not hold her back from
death. All through one weary night 1
watched her with breaking heart.
The dawn came, the sun rose in the
east His rays falling on the peak be-
hind were reflected in glory upon the
bosom of the western sky. Stella awoke
from her swoon and saw the light. She
whispered to me to open the door of the
hut. / did so, and she fixed her dying
eyes on the splendor of the morning
sky. She looked on me and smiled as
an angel might smile. Then with 4 last
effort she lifted her hand, and pointing
to the radiant heavens, whispered:
There, Alan, there"
1t was done and was broken-hearted,
and broken-hearted must wander till
the end. Those who have endured my
loss will know my sorrow; it can not be
written. In such peace and at such an
hour may also die!
Yes, it is a sad story, but wander
where we will about the world we can
never go beyond the sound of the pass
ing bell. For me, as for my father be-
fore me, and for the millions who have |
been, and who shall be, there is but one |
word of comfort. 1.-The Lord hath |
given, and the Lord hath taken away" |
Let US, then, bow our heads in hope, |
and add with an humble heart: Blessed |
be the name of the Lord"
buried her by her fathers side, and
the weeping of the people who had
loved her went up to heaven. Even In
daba-zimbi wept.
On the second night from her burial 1
could not sleep. rose, dressed myself,
and went out into the night. The moon
was shining brightly, and by its rays /
shaped my course towards the grave
yard. l drew near silently, and as /
came l thought that heard a sound of
on the further side of the
wall. / looked over it. Crouched by
Stslla's grave, and tearing at its sods
with her hands, as though she would
unearth that which lay within, was
He7sdr7kG. Her face was wild and bag
gard, her form was so emaciated that
when the pelts she wore slipped aside
the shoulder-blades seemed to project
almost through her skin. Suddenly she
looked up and saw me. Laughing a
ireadful maniac laugh she put her hand