The Globe-republican., 1890-12-10
By II. RIDER HAGGARD.
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-roubled
by no balloons. Stella would not sleep
In che cave; she said the place terrified
her, SO | made her up kind of bed IN
der thorn tree. AS this rock-hound
valley was one of the hottest places
ever was in, thought that this would
not matter; but when at sunrise on the
following morning 1 saw vail of MAS
matte mist hanging over the surface OF
the ground, l changed my opinion.
However, neither Stella nor Tota
seemed the worse, SO as soon as was
practicable we started homewards.
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, We're this story, doubtless
should end it here with-'.and lived
happy ever after But alas! it is not
so. How am | TO write it?
Ny 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 rs 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
nosphere of that accursed valley. In
time she shook the fever Off but it left
her dreadfully weak and quite unfit to
face the triai before her.
| think she knew she was going TO die:
She always spoke of my future, never of
oar future. 1t is impossible for me to
tell how sweet she was; how gentle,
how patient and resigned. Nor. indeed,
do | wish to tell il, IL is too sad. But
this | Will say, 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
l, l, / L.
skill, and might not hold her back from
death. All through one weary night
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 last
effort she lifted her hand, and pointing
to the radiant heavens. whispered:
There, Alan, there
1t was done and was broken-hearted.
Itu IIluSl "ahUtl VII
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 sad story, but wander
where We will about the world We can
never 60 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. The Lord hath