The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-01
THE FARMER: MARCH 1, 1909. !,
THE LADY OF THE HEAVENS.


How can I go away" he went on eXcitedly, just when all the seed that I have sown is ripening to harvest :? If did SO, my work would be utterly lost, ard my people relapse into bar Darlsm again. I am not afraid of this man, or of anything that he can do to my body, but if I ran away from him 1t would be injuring my soul and what account should I give of my cow ard1ce when my time comes? Do you go, my love, and take Rachel with you if you wish, leaving me to finish my work alone.''
 But now, as before, Mrs. Dove would not go, and Rachel, when she was ask ed, shrugged her shoulders and an- swered laughing that she was not afraid of anybody or anything, and, care whether she went or stayed. Certainly she would not leave her, nor, she added, did she wish to say good bye to Africa.
 piled vaguely that she had grown up there, and it was her home. But her mother watching her, knew well enough that she had another reason, although no word Of it ever passed her lips. In Africa she had met Richard Darrien as a child, and in Africa and nowhere else she believed she would meet him again as a woman.
 The weeks and months went by, bringing to the Ramah household no sight or tidings of the white man, Ishma%l. They heard through the kaffirs, indeed, that although he still kept his kraal at Mafooti he himself had gone away on some trading jour ney far to the north, and did not ex- pect to return for a year, news at which everyone rejoiced, except Noie, who shook her wise little head and said nothing.
 So all fear of the man gradually died away and things were very peaceful and prosperous at Ramah.
 In fact this quiet proved to be but the 1ull before the storm.
 One day, ,abOut eight months before MT. Dove had visited the kraal Ma footi, another embassy came to Rachel from the Zulu king, Dingaan, bringing with it a present of more white cat tie. She received them as she had done before, at night and alone, for they refused to speak to her in the presence of other people
 In substance their position was the same that it had been before. namely, that she would visit Zululand, as the king and his indunas desired her coun- sel upon an important matter. When asked what this matter was they either were, or pretended to be, ignorant. saying that it had not been confided to them Thereon she said that if Dingaan chose to submit the question to her by messenger, she would give him her opinion on it, but that she could not come to his kraal. They
 
 tion would guard her, and no hair of her head be harmed.
 Because I am child in the house of my people, and they will not allow me to leave even for a day" she an- swered, thinking that this reply would appeal to race who believe absolute [y in obedience to parents and every authority.
 'Is it SOP" remarked the old induna who spoke as Dingaan's Mouth-not Mopo. but another. ''Now. how can the Inkosazano-y-Zoola, before whom B whole nation will bow. be in bonds to white Umfundusi. a mere sky doctor? Shall the wide heavens obey 3 cloud?'
 If they are bred of that cloud" re- torted Rachel. cloud the heavens" answered the in- duna aptly.
 Now it. occurred to Rachel that this thing was going further than it should. spirit to the Zulus had seemed very good joke, and naturally appealed to the love of power which is common to But when it involvedi at any rate in the eyes of that people. domin- ion over her own parents, the joke was. she felt, becoming serious. So she determined suddenly to bring it to m end.
 What mean you. Messenger of the King?" she asked. 'I am but the child of my parents. and the parents are greater than the child, and must be obeyed of her"
 ''Inkoszana." answered the old man with deprecatory smile. 'if it p'eases listen. as if it pleased you to order us to be killed. we must be killed. But learn that we know the truth. We know how as a child you came down these white people with whom you dwell found you lying in the mist on the mountain top. and took you to their home in place of a babe whom they had buried"
 t'Who told you that story?" asked Rachel amazed.
 ''It was revealed to the council of the doctors Lady, not true. I was born as other women are and my name of Lady of the Heavens came to me by chance, as by chance I resemble the Spirit of your people,
 'sWe hear you." answer the Mouth politely. You were born as other women are. by chance you had your nigh name. by chance you are tall and fair and golden-haired like the Spirit of our people. We hear you.''
 Then Rachel gave it up.
 Bear my words to the King" she said. and they rose. saluted her with I3ayete. that royal salute which never before had been given to woman. and 1eparted.
 When they had gone Rachel went in .o supper and told her parents all the | story. MT. Dove. now that she seemed to take a serious view of the matter. affected to treat it as absurd, all l hough when she had laughed. his atti- l Jude. it may be remembered, was diff l ferent. He talked of Sthe silly Zulu | showed how they had twisted up the story of the death of | Ter baby brother. and her escape from | he flood in the Umtavuna river. into | hat which they had narrated to her l hing was nonsense. part of some poli- | -ical move to enable the King. or l party in the state. to declare that they l lad with them the word of their tradi- | .ional Spirit and oracle.
 Mrs. Dove. however. who that might l vas strangely depressed and uneasy. far otherwise. She pointed put that they were playing with vast md cruel forces. and that whatever | hese people exactly believed about Rachel it was a dreadful thing for | yirl to be put in a position in winch |