The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-26
THE LADY OF THE HEAVENS.
Copyright, 1908, by H. Rider Haggard
R

instance, when he came to visit the
 Doves, he discarded his garments of
 hide, including the picturesque zebra
 Skln trousers, and appeared dressed in
 smart European clothes which he had
 contrived to obtain from Durban, and
 large hat with a white ostrich
 feather, that struck Rachel as even
 more ludtcrous than the famous trou-
 sers Also he was continuously send-
 ing presents of game and of skins, or
 or rare karosses, that is, fur rugs,
 Which he ordered to be delivered to
 her personally-tokens all of them,
 that she could not misunderstood. Her rather however, misunderstood them
 persistently, although her mother saw
 something of the truth, and did her
 best to shield hen from attentions
 which she knew to be unwelcome. MT. Dove believed that it was his com pany which Ishmael sought. Indeed in this matter the man was very clev- CT, contriving to give the clergyman
 the impression that he required spirit ual instruction and comfort, which, of course, he found forthcoming in an abundant supply. When Mrs. Dove remonstrated, saying that she mis- doubted her of him and his character, her husband answered Obstinately, that it was his duty to turn a sinner from his way, and declined to pursue
 the conversation. So IShmael con- t1nued to come.
 For her part Rachel did her best to avoid him, instructing Noie to keep constant lookout both with her eyes and through the Kaffirs. and to warn her of his advent Then she would slip away into the bush or down to the seashore, and remain there till he was gone, or if he came when she could not do so, in the even- n f0rp irlc %7,o her side, and on the first opportunity retire to her own room.
 Now the result of this method of self protection was to cause IshmaeI to hate Noie as bitterly as she hated him. He guessed that the girl knew the dreadful truth about him; that it was he, and no other, who had coun- selled Dingaan to kill her father and all his family, and take her by force into his house, and although she said nothing of it, he suspected that she had told everything to Rachel More over, it was she who always thwart- ed him, who prevented him time upon time from having a single word alone with her mistress. Therefore he de- termined to be revenged upon Nofe whenever an opportunity occurred But as yet he could find none, since if he were to tell the Zulus that she still lived, and cause her to be killed or taken away, he was sure that it would mean a final breach with the Dove family, all of whom had learned to love this beautiful orphan maid. So he nursed his rage in secret.
 Meanwhile his passion increased it's continued repression until at length the chance for which he had waited so long came to him.
 Having become aware of Rachel's hahlt of slipping away whenever he appeared, he showed himself on horse back at a little distance, then waited a while and. instead of going up to the mission station, rode round it, and hid in some bush whence he could com ,nand view of the surrounding coun- try Presently he saw Rachel, who was alone, for she had not waited to call Noie. hurrying towards the sea- shore. along the edge of that kloof flown which ran the stream where the lived. Presently, when she had gone toe far to return to the house if she caught sight of him, he after her, and, leaving his horse, at last came up with her seated on a rock by the rool in which she had bathed on the morning of the massacre.
 Walking softly in his veld-schoens, or shoes made of raw hide. on the sand. Rachel knew nothing of his com ng until his shadow fell upon her. Then she sprang up and saw him. smiling and lowing. the ostrich-pIume nat in his hand. Her first impulse was to run away. but recovering her. self. she nodded in a friendly fashion, md bade him Good day." adding.
 What are you doing here, Mr. Ish- mael. hunting?'
 "Yes.'' he answered, that's it. Hunt ng you. It has been @ long chase, but have caught you at last"
 Really, I am not a wild creature. MT. Ishmael." she said Indignantly
 No" he answered, 'tyou are more beautiful and more dangerous than any wild creature"
 Rachel looked at him. Then she made as though she would pass him, saying that she was going home. Now [shmael stood between two rocks fill- ng the only egress from this place.
 He stretched out his arms so that lis fingers touched the rocks on either 5ide and said:
 You can't. You must listen to me irst. I came here to say what I have wanted to tell you for long time. owe you. and I ask you to marry me-"
 Indeed she replied, setting her ace. "How can that be? I understood l hat you were already married-several | times over.''
 "Who told you that?" he asked l angrily T know-that accursed little witch. Noie.''
 Don't speak any ill of Noie. please; l 'he is my friend
 Then you have liar for your l friend. Those women are only my ser 7ants.'' |
 Ut doesn't matter to me what they | Ire. MT. Ishmael. I have no wish to | krow your private affairs. Shall we top. this talk which is not pleasant?" |
 "No," he answered "I tell you that |
 love you and I mean to marry you, ! with your will or without it. Let it be ! with your will. Rachel" he added, | ,leadingly flor will make you good | husband. Also I am well-born, much | better than you think. and I am rich, | ich enough to take you out of this l ountry, if you like. I have thousands | # cattle. and a great deal of money ut by, good English gold that I have ,ot from the sale of ivory. You shall ome with me from among all these avage people back to England, and i've as you lf<e."
 Thank you. but prefer the savages, s you seem to have done until now. Jo. do not try to touch me; you know hat I can defend myself if I choose" nd she glanced at the pistol which he always carried in that wild land. I am not afraid of you, MT. Ishmaels