Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-08

know him or any one" then the sound of
dog being dragged away, whining
feebly, and then the door opened. First
Ishmael came in with an affecta:ion of
staggering holiness. but looking like a
man suffering from the effects of q long
debauch. About his eyes were great
black rings and In them was q stare Of
sleeplessness. He carried q double bar
relied gun under his arm, but the hand
with which he supported It shook visiby,
and at every unusual sound he started.
After him came Richard. his wrists bound
together behind him. and on his legs hide
shuttle forward slowly. Moreover he was
guarded by four men who carried spears.
Rachel glanced quickly at his face and
saw that it was pale and resolute; quito
untouched by fear.
Are you wsll?'' she asked quietly. TAX
ing no note of 1shmael.
Yes" he answered. land you Rachel"
Quite well bodily. Richard. but oh! my
soul is sick"
Before he could reply Ishmael turned
on him savagely and babe him be silent
or it would be the worse for him. Then
he took off his hat with his shaking
hand and bowed to Rachel.
Rachel he said, Il have kept my
promise, and left you alone for three
days. but time Is up and now this gen
tleman and 1 have come to hear your
decision, which is so important to both
of us.
What am 1 to decide?" she asked in
low voice, looking straight before
her
Have you forgotten? Your memory
must be very bad. Well. 1t is best to
have no mistake, and no doubt our friend
here would like to know exactly how
things stand. You have to decide whether
you will take me as your husband today
Of your own free will. or whether Mr..
Richard Darrien shall suffer the punish
of death f0r having tried RI byc
sentry and escape. q. crime of which he
has been guilty, and afterward I shall
take you az my wife with or without your
consent
When Richard heard these words the
veins i'll his forehead swelled with rage
and horror till it seemed as though
they would burst
you unutterable villain" he gasped.
You cowardly hound! Oh. If only my
hands were free"
We'll. they amt. Mr.. Darrien, and
it's no use your Juggling at that buffalo
hide. SO hold your tongue. and let us
hear the lady's answer" sneered Ish-
mael
Richard. Richard" said Rachel in
kind OF wall. you have heard. 1t is
a matter of your life. What am 1 to
do?
"Do?" he answered. in loud. firm
tones, do? How can you ask such a
question? The matter is not one Of nv
life but Of your-of your-ohi cannot
say it. Let this foul beast kill me. OF
course. and then, If you care enough.
follow the same road. A few years
sooner or later make little difference
and SO we shall be together again.
She thought a moment then said
quietly:
Yes. ] care enough and hundred
times more than that. Yes. that is the
only way out Listen. you Ishmael:
Richard Darrien. the man to whom I
am sworn. and l, give you this answer
Murder him if you will. and bring
Gods everlasting vengeance on your
head He will not buy his life on such
terms. and if ] consented to them I
should be false to him. Murder him as
you murdered my father and mother.
and when know that he is dead 1 will
go to join him and them
All right. Rachel" said Ishmael
whose face was white with fury. Il
think 1 will take you at your word
and you can go to look for him down
below. If you like. for If I am not to get
you here he shan't Now. then. say
your prayers. Mr. Darrien." and step
ping forward slowly he cooked the
ouole-barreled gun.
Men of Mafooti," exclaimed Rachel
In Zulu. 'lbubesi is about to do murder
on one who like myself Is under the
mantle of Dingaan. II his blood should
flow today Or tomorrow. yours shall flow
IN payment, yours. and that Of your
wives and children, for the crime of the
chlef Is the crime OF the people,"
At her words the four natives who had
been watching this scene uneasily. al
though they could not understand the
English talk. called out to Ishmael in
remonstrance. His only answer was to
lift the gun. and for an instant that
seemed infinite Rachel waited to hear
its explosion. and to see the gray-eyed,
open-faced man she loved, who stood
there like a rock, fall shattered corpse.
Then one of the kaffirs. holder than the
struck the -it
and not too soon. for whether or no he
had meant 10 pull the trigger. the rifle
went off.
Try the other barrel" said Rache!