The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-04-02

always burned there were out. Noie, who was seated nearby, heard her stir, and spoke.
 .sIf thou art rested, zoo1o," she said, "I think that we had better carry the white lord from this place. for the two witch-women have gone, and can ma no more oil to fill the lamps"
 So they felt their way to Richard purposing to lift him between them, but at RachePs touch he awoke, and with their help walked out of the cave In the open space beyond they saw strange sight, for across it were stream ing all the dwarf-mutes carrying their aged and sick and infants, and bearing on their backs or piled up in filters their mats and cooking utensils. Evi- dently they were deserting the Sanctu- ary; ,., o.,-.a ,a chel.
 ''I do not know" answered Noie. "but I think it is because no food has been are hungry. You remember that Eddo said we should starve. Only fear Of death by hunger would make them leave place where they and their
 Presently they were all gone. Not living creature was left within the Wall except these three, nor were any more dwarfe brought in to die beneath the Holy Tree. Now, at length Rich ard seemed to awake. and taking Ra- chel by the hand began to ask ques- tions of her in a low stammering voice, since words did not seem to come readily to him who had not spoken his own language for so long.
 .Before you begin to talk, Sister," broke in Noie. '1et us go and see if we can close the cleft in the Wall. for Eddo and the dwarfs might creep in by night and murder us.'
 T do not think they dare shed blood in their Holy Place." answered Ra- chel. Still. let us see what we can do; it may be best-''
 So they went to the cleft, and as the stone door was open and they could not shut it, at one very marrow spot side of the ancient wall above in such a fashion that it would be difficult to pass through or over them from with out. This hard task took them many hours: moreover. it was iabour wasted. since, as Rachel had thought robable the dwarfs never tried to pass the Wall, but waited till hunger forced them to surrender.
 Towards evening they returned to the cave and collected what food they could find. It was but little. enough for two spare meals, no more; nor could they discover any in the town of the dwarfs behind the Tree. Only of water they had plenty from the stream that ran out of the cave.
 They ate a few mouthfuls, then took their mats and cloaks and went to camp by the opening in the wall. so that they might guard against sur prise. Now for the first time they found leisure to talk, and Rachel and Richard told each other little of their wonderful stories But they did not tell them all, for their minds seem ed. to be bewildered. and there was much that they were not able to ex- plain. It was enough for them D know that they had been brought together again thus marvellously, by what pow hot ,fi iryir1c they who for long weeks had deemed the other dead, were able to hold each others hands and gaze into each oth- CT eyes Moreover, now now re .nas thrs t5rsa nao so tired that they could scarcely speak above a whisper. The end of it was that they fell asleep, all of them, and so slept till morning. when they awoke somewhat refreshed, and. ate what re- mained of the food.
 The second day was like the first, only hotter and more sultry. Noie climbed to the top of the wall to wandered about among the little, ant heap-1ike graves. and through the dwarf village, talking and wondering, happy even in their wretchedness. But before the day was gone hunger began to get hold of them; also the terrible. stirling heat oppressed them so that their words seemed to die between their lips, and they could only sit against the wall. IoOk1ng at one dI1- other.
 Towards evening Noie descended from the Wall and reported that large numbers of the dwarfS were keeping watch without, fitting to and fro be- tween the trunks of the trees like shadows. The stifling night went by and another day dawned. Having no food they went to the stream and drank water. Then they sat down in the shadow and waited through the long hot hours. Towards evening. when it grew a little cooler, they gath cred up their strength and tried to find some way of escape before it was too late. Richard suggested that as flight was impossible they should give themselves up to the dwarfs, but Ra- cheI answered No. for then Eddo would certainly kill him and Nose, and take her to fill the place of Mother of the Trees until she became useless to him. when she would be murdered all so.
 'NThen there is nothing left for us but to die,'' said Richard.
 CTo be Continued.l