The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-31
(Continued.l

| Sn0 aIS SW6TGQ. Wa l sending certain orders to the slave peoples who still know me as Mother or the Trees. and obey my words. Per haps thou dost not believe that while sat upon wonder wall talked across the desert to the chiefs of the marches upon the far border of the land of the Umkulu. and that by now at my bid ding they have sent out men upon ar errand of mine."
 What was the errand, MOther?' ? asked Rachel curiously.
 'I said the errand was mine, not thine, Maiden It IS not pressing, but as do not know how long my strength will last, I thought it well that it words she coiled herself up on her mat and seemed to go to sleep.
 It was after this incident of the drums that Rachel experienced the
 life. Nya sent her into no more frances, and to all outward seeming
 nothing happened. Yet within her
 much did happen. Her madness had
 as other women are, or as she herself
 had been in health!\ Her mind seemed
 to wander and she knew not whither
 it wandered. Yet for long hours. all
 though she was awake and, so Noie
 said, talking or eating or walking a. usual, it was away from her. and aft
 erwards she could remember nothing.
 Also this happened at night as well as during the day. and ever more and
 more often.
 She could remember nothing, yet out
 of this nothingness there grew upon her a continual sense of the presence of Richard Darrien, a presence that seemed to come nearer and nearer, closer and closer to her heart. It was the assurance of this presence that made those long days so happy to her, though when she was herself. she felt that 1t could be naught but dream. e1 1v~<xrn h on strangely and why should a dream weary her so much? Why, after sleep ing all night, should she awake feeling as though she had journeyed all night? Why should her limbs ache and she grow thin like one who travels without cease? Why should she seem time aft CT time to have passed great dangers, to have known cold, and heat and want and the struggle" against waters and the battling against storms? Why should her knowledge of this Richard, of the very heart and soul of Richard. grow ever deeper till 1t was as though they were not twain. but one?
 She could not answer these questions. and Noie could not answer them, and when she asked Nya the old Mother shook her head and could not. or would not answer. Only the dwarf mutes seemed to know the answer. for each other, and grinned and thrust their little woolly heads together star ing several of them. into one bowl. But if Noie and Nya knew nothing of them stirred them both. for the saw that Rachel, the tall and strong, grew faint and weak and began to fade away as one fades upon whom deadly sickness has laid its hand.
 Thus three weeks or so went by, un- til one day in some fashion of her own Nye. caused to arise iK the mind of Eddo knowledge of her desire to speak with him. Early the next morn ing Eddo arrived at the Holy Place accompanied only by his familiar Hama, and Nya met them alone in the mouth of the cave.
 CT see that thou art very white and thin. but still alive. old woman" sneered Eddo. adding: All the thou sands of the people wonder thought that long ere this thou wouldst have passed within the Fence. May take back good tidings to them?"
 The ancient Mother of the Trees looked at him sternly.
 'It is true. thou evil mocker." she said, '.that am white and thin. It is true that grow like to the skeleton veins without substance. It is true that my round eyes start from my head like to those of a bush blower, or the tree lizard, and that soon l must pass within the Fence, as thou hast so long desired that should do that thou mayest reign alone over the thousands of the People of the Dwarfs and wieid their wisdom to increase thy power. things are true, Eddo. yet ere go have a word to say to thee to which thou wilt do well to listen"
 Speak on." said Eddo. Without doubt thou hast wisdom Of sort; honey thou hast garnered during many years, and if is we'll that should suck the store before 1t is too late" WEddo." said Nya, "I am not the only dne in this Holy Place who grows other" atEi she nodded towards Ra- chel, who walked past them aimlessly with dreaming eyes. attended by Noie. upon whose arm she leant.
 'I sec" answered Eddo, "this haunt ed death-prison presses the life out of her., also think that thou hast sent her Spirit travelling, as thou knowest how to do. and such journeys sap the strength of flesh and blood"
 ssPerhaps; but now before it is too late I would send her body travelling also; only thou who hast the power for while. dost bar the road"
 'I know" said Eddo. nodding his head and looking at his companion. .'We all know. do we not. Hama? we who have heard certain beatings of drums in the night. and studied deY drops beneath the trees at dawn. ThoH send her to meet another 
 "Yes. and if thou are wise thou wilt let her go.''
 .sWhy should I let her go?" asked the priest passionately. ''and with her all my greatness? She must reign here after thee. for at her feet thy Tree fell. and 1t is the will of the peo- ple. who weary of dwarf queens and desire one that is tall and beautiful and white. Moreover when my blood has been poured into her. her wisdom will be great. greater than thine or that of any Mother that went before thee, for she is fWensi,' the Virgin, and her soul is purer than them all. [ will not let her go. If she leaves this Holy Place where none may do her harm. she shall die.- and then her Spirit may go to seek that other traveller"
 sThou art mad. Eddo, mad and blind with pride and folly. Let her be, and choose another Mother. Now, there IS Noie."
 ''Thy great-niece. NYa. who thinks as thou thinkest. and hates those whom thou hatest. Nay, will have none of | that half-breed. Wonder white Inko-