The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-27
THE LADY OF
 THE HEAVENS Copyright. 1908, by HI. Rider Haggard
(Continued.l CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
 MT. Dove Visits Ishmael.
 When Rachel and Noie reached the tsause, which they did not do for some time, as they waited to make sure that Ishmael had really gone, it was to see the man himself riding away from its gate,
 sSe prepared,'' said Noie; ''I thinl, that he has been here before us to aour poison into your fathers ears.'
 Ns it proved to be, indeed, for on the stOop orSveranda, they found MT. Dove walking up and down, evidently much disturbed in mind.
 What is all this trouble, Rachel" :" he asked. What have you done to Mir. Smith"-for MT. Dove, in pursu- ance of the Suggestion made by the man, had adopted that name for him which he considered less peculiar than Ishmael He has been here much up- set declaring that you have used him cruelty, and that Nonha, threatened him with terrible things in the future, of which, of course, she can know nothing.'
 Well, father, if you wish to hear answered Rachel MT. Ishmael or MT. Smith, as you call him, has been ask ing me to marry him, and when I re- fused. as of course I did, behaved very unpleasantiy.'' s @
 Indeed. Rachel. I gathered from him that something of the sort had happened. only his story is that it was you. who behaved unpleasantly, speak in8 to him as thought he were dirt. Now Rachel of course. I do not want you to marry this person. in fact, l should, dislike 1t. although I have seen a great change for the better in him lately-+I mean spiritually of course and an earnest repentance for the er- TOTS of his past life All mean is that the proffered affection of an hon. est man should not be met with scorn and sharp. words"
 Up to this. point Rachel endured the lecture in silence. but now she could bear nor more.
 Father. are you deaf and blind, or only so good that you cannot see evil in cthers?. Do you know that it was this honest man who brought about the murder of all Noie's people in ord ar that he might curry favor with the Zulus ?',.
 siMr. Dove started. and turing, ask ed:
 "Is that SO. Nonha?
 .It,s is so. Teacher" answered Noie, although I have never spoken or 1t to you Afterwards I will tell you the story. if you wish.'
 And do you know" went on Ra- W ". W hfs kraai among the hills wonder? Well. will tell you. It is because this hon. est man who wishes me to marry him, keeps his Kaffir wives and chil- dren there?"
 :Rachel!'' replied her father. in much distress. tT will never believe it; you are, only repeating native scandal. Why he has often spoken to me with horror of such things"
 T daresay he has, father. Well, now. .xI~ ask you to judge for yourself. Take guide and start two hours be- fore, daybreak tomorrow morning to visit that kraal. and see if what I say IS not true"
 sI will. indeed" exclaimed MT. Dove, who was now thoroughly aroused, for it was conduct of this sort that had caused his bitter quarrel with the first settlers in Natal. "I cannot believe the story, Rachel. really cannot: but cause to do so. the man shall never puf foot in my house again" r..
 "TIcn I think that am rid of him, !" said Rachel. with a sigh of relief. "orly be careful. dear. that he does not do you a mischief. for such men do not like to be found out" Then she left the stoop, and went to tell her mother all that had happened.
 When she had heard the story. Mrs. Dove. who detested Ishmael as much as her: daughter did. tried to persuade her husband not to visit his kraal, say ing that 1t would only breed a feud. and that under the circumstances. 1t would be easy to forbid him the house upon other grounds. But MT. Dove, obstinate as usual. refused to listen to her. saying that he would not judge the man without evidence. and that or the natives could not be relied on. Also. if the tale were true. 1t was his 5,,txv o1 1,ir cy,irit11al adviser to rem onstrate with him.
 So his poor wife gave up arguing, as shc always did, and long before dawn on the following morning. MT. Dove, accompanied by two guides. departed upon his errand.
 After he had ridden some twelve miles across the plain which lay be- hird Ramah, just at daybreak, he reached pass or nek between two swelling hills. beyond which the guides said lay the kraal that was called Ma footi. Presently he saw 1t. place situated in 9 .cup-like valley. chosen evidently because the approaches to It were easy to defend. On knoll in the center of this rich valley stood the kraal. small native town surrounded by walls and stone enclosures full of cattle As they approached the kraai. from it's main entrance issued four or i've good looking native women. one Of them accompanied by boy. and all carrying. hoes in their hands, for they were going out at sunrise to work in the mealie fields. When they saw MT. Dove they stood still. staring at him, till he called to them not to be afraid, and riding up, asked them who they were.
 eve are of the number of the wives of Ibubesi the Lion," answered their spokeswoman. who held the little boy by the hand.
 ~Do you mean. the Umlungu (that is. the white man.) Ishmael?" he asked again.
 "Whom else should we mean% she answered "I am his head wife. now that he has put away old Mani. ano this is his son. If the light were stronger you would see that he is al- most white,'' she added with pride.
 MT. Dove knew, not what to answer; thS intelligence overwhelmed him, and he sat silent on his horse. The wives of Ishmael prepared to pass on to the r1ealie fields then stopped. and began to whisper together. At length the mother of the boy turned and address ed him. while the others crowded be- hind her to listen.
 i've desire to ask you question, Tgacher.'' she said, somewhat shyly, fnra evidently they knew well enough who he was. 'Is it true that we are td have a new sister,"
 "A new sister, What do you mean ?' nOVa.