The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-15
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 THE LADY OF THE HEAVENS.
Copyright, 1908. by H. Rider Hageard

(Continued.l

l SA -C, tcOh fOl HIS 1dC Wltn d HOur1Sn and bowed. Then as she made no an- | swer to these salutations. but only i searched him with her gray eyes, he i began to speak in jerky sentences.
 T hope you have slept well. Rachel: l am glad to see you looking so fresh. ! I was afraid that you would be over tired after your long day. You rode i many miles. Of course what you found shock to you.~ I want to explain to you quietly that I am not in the least to blame about that terrible business. i It was those accursed zulus who ex- eeeded their orders.'
 l So he went on. pausinR between each remark for an answer. but no answer came. At length he stopped. confused. and Rachel. lifting the assegai. exam ined it's blade. and asked him sudden
 'twhose blood is on this spear !? Yours?"
 | "A little of it. perhaps" he answer l it about after your father shot him and cut me with it accidentally" and he pointed to the wound, on his face. Rachel bent down and began to rub as though to clean it. He did not know ] what she meant by this act. yet it | frightened him.
 What are you doing?" he asked. | She paused in her task and said. looking up at him:
 tI do not wish that your blood should dehle mine even in death" and went I on with her cleansing of the spear. then broke out:
 "Curse it aiIl I don't understand you. What do you mean?" Ask the Zulus." she answered. tell you. Or if there is no time. ask my father and mdther-afterwards.' Ishrnael paled visibly. then recover ed himself with an effort and said: H. AI-f k~I- doctor nonsense. and come to business had nothing to do with the death of your parents. indeed was wounded in trying to protect them- s@rhen why do I see both of them behind you with such accusing eyes?" she asked quietly.
 He started. turned his head and stared about him.
 he went on. T am not a silly kaffir. so give 1t up. Look here. Rachel. you kr I have loved you for a long wh -4e, and though you treat me so badly love you more than ever now VIII you marry mel"
 "E told you last night that you would be dead in a few days. Do not waste your time in talking of marriage. Sit in the dust and repent your sins be- fore you go down into the dust
 All right. Rachel. know you are good prophet-''
 "Noie. too. is a good prophet" she ". \ zulus to kill her father and mother also. did you not? Do you remember message that she gave you from Seyapi one evening down by the sea. before you kidnapped me to be a bait to trap me in Zululand ?'' "Remember!' he answered. scowling. "Am I likely to forget her devilries? If you are the witch she is the fami- whispers in your ears. Had she not gone should never have caught you"
 But she will come back--although fear not in time to bid you farewell
 "You tell me that I shall soon be dead" he exclaimed. ignoring this talk of Noie. sWell. I am not frightened. don't believe you know anything about 1t. but if you are right the more cording to you. Rachel. we have no time to waste in a long engagement. When is it to be ?''
 '.Never!" she answered. contemptu- Never! why, you are hateful to me: when see you. shiver as though snake crawled across my foot. and when I look at your hands they are ents and of Noie's parents. and of many others. I will not be touched by hand that is red with blood. That is my answer"
 You seem to forget that I am only asking for what I can take. No one can see you or hear you here. except my women. You are in my power at last Rachel Dove.'' Ns
 Look" she said. pointing to an eagle that circled so high in the blue heavens above them that 1t seemed no larger than hawk. '.that bird is more I am. Before you laid a finger on me would find dozen means of death, but that tell you again you will new CT live to do.r
 r1- al ciI weighing her words in his mind Ap- parently he could find no answer to them. for when spoke again it was Of another matter. If so. 1t is because of that accursed fellow, Darrien-whom you don't hate Well. he. at any rate is in my power Now look here. You've got to make your choice Either you stop all th-s nonsense and become my wife. or your friend Darrien dies. Do you hear me?"
 Rachel made no answer Now for the first time she was really friRhten- ed. and feared lest her speech should show 1t.
 You have been through a lot" he and don't know what you say. and you believe that I killed the cid people. which didn't. and. of course. that has set you against me. Now. I don't want S es as nave plenty sa ef ihnss 9e
  about before we are married. So give you three days. If you don't change your mind at the end of them. the young man dies. that's all. and afterwards we will see whether or no you are in my power. Oh! you needn't stare. I've gone too far to turn back and T don't mind few extra risks Meanwhile make yourself easy. deaf Richard shall be well looked after. and I won't bothe', you with any more love-naking. That can wait-''
 Rachel rose from her seat and point ed with the spear to the door in the wall.
 "Gor' she said.
 "All right, I am going, Rachel. Good bye till this time three days. I hope my women will make you as comfort able as possible in this rough place. Ask them for anything you want. Goodbye, Rachel" and he went, bolt ing the wall door behind him.
 CHAPTER XVI