Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-10
THE PEOPLE
 OF THE MIST.
ICopyright, 1898. by the Author.l
 CH PTFR XXVI
By H. RIDER HAGGARD.


 with her eyes. Nothing was to be read there, for it was impossible to pierce the mask of solemn calm beneath which, in common with all his race, the king was accustomed to hide his thoughts. He leaned on the shaft of his broad spear his head slightly bowed, as though in humili ty, his dark eyes fixed upon her face with q amingled look of wonder and supplication, immovable, impasSive, picture of savage dignity.
 Speak, Olfan," said Juanna at length.
 But a few hours since thought you dead, for with all the thousands in the temple believed that it was your fair body which Nam hurled at dawn from the brow of the statue, and I tell you that when saw it l, who am warrior, wept and cursed myself, because, though was king, 1 had no power to save you. After ward this man, the high priest, came to me, telling me the truth and a plan that he had made for his own ends, whereby you might be saved alive and lifted up among the people and he also might be saved and my rule as king be made sure in the land" And he ceased.
 "What is this plan, Olfan?' asked Ju- anna after pause
 "Qucen, it is that you should wed me and appear before the people no longer as a goddess, but as a woman who has put on l the flesh for her loves sake. know well | that 1 am all unworthy of such honor, and, moreover, that your heart must be sore 1 with the loss of one who was dear to you l and little Set upon the finding of another 1 husband; also I remember certain words i that passed between US and a promise that 1 I made. All these things I told to Nam, , and he answered me, saying that the mat fCr hot nf Ir ! hid away for long, and that if I did not take you to wife then you must die." And once more he bowed his head, i leaned upon his spear and was silent. Juanna considered the position rapidly. It was hopeless and cruel. Nam and Soa | wcrc on either side of her, the latter stand | ing near the door with the siding panel beyond which Leonard lay bound, and she | knew we'll that did she speak O single | word of the truth to Olfan 1t would be the signal for her lovers death. It was possible that the king might be able to | protect her own person from violence, but 1 if Leonard died it mattered little what be- | came of her. There was but one thing that she could do-declare herself willing to become the wife of Olfan. and yet it seemed shameless thus to treat this hon. orable man, the only friend that they had found among the People of the Mist But of a truth such necessities as hers cannot | wait while those in their tolls weigh scru- l pies or the law of honor.
 | "Olfan," she said, Il havc heard you and this is my answer I will take you as my husband. You know my story. You know that he who was my lord is but this l day dead'-hCre Son smiled approvingly | at the lic-"and that l loved him. | Therefore of your Gentlcncss you will ac- | cord mo some few weeks before I pass l from him to you, in which I may mourn my widowhood. I will say no more, but surely you can guess the sorrow of my heart and all that have left unsaid." It shall be as you wish, queen, " re- | piled Olfan, taking her hand and kissing 1t, while his somewhat sad face grew ra- diant with happiness. You shall pass into my keeping at that time which best pleases you, yet fear that in one matter you must be troubled. now, this very hour. ''
 What may that be, Olfan!" asked Ju- anna anxiously.
 'Only this, queen-that the rite of mar riage as VIC practice 1t must be celebrated I between us. It is necessary for many reasons that will be made clear to you to- morrow. Moreover, such was my bargain with Nam, sealed by an oath sworn upon the blood of Aca, an oath that l do not dare to break. '"
 'Oh, no, no"' said Juanna in acute dis tress Think, Olfan, how can I, whose husband is not dead six hours, VOW my self to another man upon the altar of his grave? Give me some few days, pray you
 "Most willingly would do this, queen, but I may not. It is against my oath. Also what can it matter: You shall re main alone for so long as it shall please you
 Then Nam spoke for the first time, say ing:
 "Shcpherdess, waste no breath in words for learn that, though this garment O mOdesty is becoming to one now widow ed, yet you must put it from you. Nor hangs upon this ceremony than you know of. The lives of many hang upon it, ou own pcrchancc among them, and moro i'm mediatcly the life of one of whom it doe not become me to speak, " and as thougl by accident he let his eyes rest upon tn door of the adjoining cell.
 Of his auditors Olfan thought that h. was alluding to his own life, but Juanni and his daughter knew well that he spok of that of Leonard, which would be sacri feed did the former persist in her objec tions to the instant celebration of tn marriage.
 You hear his words, queen, |" said Ol fan, ''and there is weight in them. Tn times are very dangerous, and If our plo is to be carried through before midnight . must make oath to the captains and tn council of the people that you have com back from death to be my wife" Maybe" answered Juanna, catchin at a straw in her despair, but must who shall be set over this people as queen be married thus in secret: At the least = will have witnesses. Let some of the caI tains whom you trust, Olfan, be brough here to see us wed; otherwise the tim may come when shall be held to be n true wife and there are none to establis my honor by their words. y
 ''There is little fear of such thing queen," answered Olfan. with 6 fair smile, "yet your words arc just. wi
 lead three of my captains here. men wh il will not betray us, and they shall Do wi | ness to this rite, " and he turned as thoug
 he would go to seek them.
 = Do not leave me, " said Juanna, catcl
 ing him by the wrist. II trust you. bI
 these two do not trust. fear to be le ,; alone"
 5, "There is no need for witnesses, king, f exclaimed Nam in threatening voice. "The Shepherdess has asked for wi h nesses, and she shall have them, " answe
 ed OIfan flercely. "OId man, you ha'
 PlaSSu "ltH AlS AchS SHOuSA. 1AsAotSo
 have been your servant. Now l will
 your master. Some few hours ago yol life was forfeit to me, for the white daw
 had turned to red, and I meant to take
 but you bribed me with this bait, " ar
 he pointed to Juanna. Nay, do not Il "a your hand upon your knife. You forg If have my spear. Your priests are wit
 out, know it, but so are my captain
 and I have told them where I am. If
 vanish as many vanish here, my life wi
 be required at your hands, for, Nam, yo
 spell is broken. Now obey me. Bid tn
 woman summon him who guards withou , No; you do not stiri' And he lifted t ), spear till its keen blue point Quivsred ov
 the high priests naked breast. Bid b
 go to the door and summon the guard,