The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-13
THE LADY OF
 THE HEAVENS
Copyright, 1908, by H. Rider Haggart
CQQtiuued

 Copyright, 1908. by HI. Rider Haggard
 (Continueda
 Now Rachel. whose wits were made keen by doubt and anguish looked at the faces of the natives about her. and even in that dim moonlight read them ike a. book. as she could always do. She saw that they were afraid of her, and that if she commanded them they would let her go free. whatever their master might say or do. But she saw also that sIshmael spoke truth when dread of Richard. and might even be- neNe that he was doing her some vio- ience If she escaped therefore it would be at the cost of Richards life. Instantly in her bold fashion she made up her mind. It was borne in upon her that she had declared the truth: that Ishmael was doomed. that he had no power to work her any hurt. how s ever sore her case might seem. Since Richards life hung on it she would go with him.
 Servants of Ibubesi.'' she said. "lfft the white chief Dario to his feet. and listen to my words
 They obeyed her at once. without even waiting for their master to speak. only holding Richard by the arms.
 T go. with you to the kraal Mafooti, not because must. but that a doom which is decreed may be accomplished. and with me go the white chief Dario and the spirits of my dead. Me. you cannot harm. but remember what l have told you. that if you harm him. or suffer him to be harmed" and she pointed to Richard. "my pee the Znlus. will kill you every one. and send you to. bear company with Ibubesi in the world of ghosts Let us ride hence.''
 Now the most of the men went into the garden followed by Ishmael. and taking Richard with them. but a few remained to watch her. From this garden presently arose a sound of great Quarrelling. Rachel was too far off to understand what was said. but from the sounds she judged that Ish- mach was giving orders to his ~eople which they refused to obey. for she could hear him cursing them furfouSiy. Presently she heard something else the loud report of a gun followed by groans Then Raff1r ran up tp them and whispered something to those who surrounded her: it was that head man whom fShmael had struck on the mouth in the bush when he told him that a dog had howled upon his hut. and his face was very Frightened
 Rachel leaned against the wall and looked at him for she could not speak. she who thought that Richard had been murdered.
 Have no fear, Inkosazana." said the man. answering the question in her eyes. 'sIbuoesi has Killed one of us because i've do not like this business and would clean 1t of our hands. that is all The chief Darfo is safe. and swear to thee that no harm shall come to him from us. We will care for him and protect him to the death. and If we lead him away a prisoner 1t is be- cause we must. since otherwise 1bubesi will kill us all Therefore be merciful to us when the spear of thy power is lifted.''
 Before Rachel could answer Ish- maePs voice was heard asking why they did not bring the Inkosazana as fhn
 'sI pray thee come. Zoola," said the man. hurriedly. GOT he will shoot more of us.''
 So Rachel walked down the steps of the stoep in front of them. holding her head high. leaving behind her the house of Ramah and it's dead. At the gate of the garden stood the horses on one of which his own; Richard was al ready mounted, his arms bound. his feet made fast beneath it with a hide rope Her path lay past him. and as ehel-svent by hezsaids in a voice that was choking with rage
 'I am helpless: cannot save you: but our hour will comet"
 tfYes. Richard she answered quiet 1y; "our hour will come when his has gone" and with the spear in her hand once more she pointed at Ishmael. who stood by watching them sullenly. Theh she mounted. her horse-how she could never remember-and they were sepa-
 After this she seemed to hear Ish- 1nael talking to her. arguing. explain ing but she made no answer to his words Her mind was blank for all she knew was that they were riding on for hours. Her tired horse stumb- led up a pass and down it's further side. Then she heard dogs bark and saw lights. The horse stopped and she slid from it. and as she was too ex- hausted to walk. was supported or car ried into a hut, as she thought by women who seemed very much afraid of touching her. after which she seem- ed to sink into blackness.
 Rachel woke from her stupor to ind her self lying on bed in great Kan1r hut that was furnished like < European room. for in it were chairs and a table also rough window places closed with reed mats that took the place of glass. Through the smoke hole at the top of the hut struck straight ray of sunlight, by which she judged that it must be about midday She began to think. till by degrees everything came back to her. and In that hour she nearly died of horror to die. There at her side lay means of death-the asseEai which she had found by the body of the Zulu in Ran1ah, and none had taken from her. She lifted it and felt it's edge. then laid it down again Into the darkness of her despair some comfort seemed to creep. She was sure that Richard lived, and if she died. he would die also While he lived. why should she die? Moreover, it would be a crime which she should only dare when all hope had gone. and she stood face to face with shame.
 Fhrusting aside these thoughts she rose On the table stood curdled milk and other food of which she forced herself to eat. that her strength might return to her. for she knew that she would need it all. Then she washed and dressed herself, for in corner of the hut was water in wooden bowls. and even a comb and other things. that apparently had been set there for her to use. This done. she went to the ddbr which was made like that of a hdi1se, and finding that it was not se- cured, opened it and looked out. Bs- yos1d was a piece of ground f1oore