The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-05-07

creatures SnOulQ De killed., nOC kept.
She will make you mischief if she can.
But l will watch her, Macumazahn.
Look, the Star is waiting for you; go,
or she will hate me as Hendrika hates
YOU"
So went, nothing loath, for attrac-
tive as was the wisdom of Indaba-zimbi,
| found deeper meaning in Stella's
simplest word. All the rest of that day
passed in her company, and the greater
part of the two following days. At last
came Saturday night, the eve of our
marriage. 1t rained that night, SO we
did not go out, but spent the evening in
the hut. We sat hand in hand, saying
little, but Mr.. Carson talked a good
deal, telling us tales of his youth, and of
countries that he had visited. Then he
read aloud from the Bible. and babe us
good night. also kissed Stella and went
to bed. reached my hut by the COW
cred way, and before Iundressed opened
the door to see what the night was like.
1t was very dark, and rain was still fall
ing, but as the light streamed out into
the gloom fancied that I caught sight
Of a dusl1y form gliding away.
The thought of Hendrika flashed into
my mind could she be skulking about
outside there? Now I had said nothing
of Hendrika and her threats either to
Mr. Carson or Stella, because I did not
wish to alarm them. Also I knew that
Stella was attached to this strange per-
son, and did not wish to shake her con-
fidence in her unless it was absolutely
necessary. For a minute or two l stood
hesitating, then, rejecting that, if it was
Hendrika out there, there she should
stop, went in and put up the stout
wooden bar that was used to secure the
door. For the last few nights old Indaba-
zimbi had made a habit of sleeping in
the covered passage, which was the only
other possible way of access. AS [ came
to bed had stepped over him rolled up
in his blanket, and to all appearance
fast asleep. So, it being evident that
had nothing to fear, promptly dismiss
ed the matter from my mind, which, as
may be imagined, was indeed fully oc-
cupied with other matters.
I got into bed and for awhile lay
awake thinking of the great happiness in
stor., for me, and of the providential
course of events that had brought it
within my reach, A few weeks since
and | was wandering in the desert a
dying man, bearing a dying child, and
with scarcely possession left in the
world except store of buried ivory that
[ never expected to see again. And now
I was about to wed one of the sweetest
and loveliest women in the whole world
a woman whom loved more than could
have thought possible, and who loved
me back again. Also, as though that
were not good fortune enough, was to
acquire with her considerable possessions,
quite sufficiently large to enable us to
follow any plan of life we found agree
able. AS lay and reflected on all this
grew afraid of my good fortune. Old
Indaba-zimbi's melancholy prophesies
came into my mind. Hitherto he had
always prophesied truly. What if these
should be true also? l turned cold as
thought of it, and prayed to the power
above to preserve us both to live and love
together. Never WAS prayer more need
ed. While it's words were still upon my
lips dropped asleep and dreamed most
dreadful dream.
| dreamed that Stella and were stand
ing together to be married. She was
dressed in white and radiant with beau
ty, but it was wild, spiritual beauty
which frightened me- Her eyes shone