Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-02
CHAPTER XIII-Continued.

A444-SOll
The next two days were terrible TO
Rachel. She endured them as she had
endured all those that went before, trying
the cases that were brought to her. keep
Ing up her appearance of distant dignity
and utter Indifference. She asked no
questions, since to do SO would be to
show doubt and weakness, although she
was aware that the tale of her vision had
spread through the land. and that the issue
of the matter was of intense interest to
thousands. From some talk which she
overheard while she pretended to be listen
ing to evidence, she learned even that two
men going to execution had discussed it,
saying that they regretted they would not
live to know the truth On the second
day she did hear one piece of news, for
although she sat by her pool and again
tried to sleep by its waters, these remain
ed blind and dumb.
The induna. Tamboosa on one of his
ceremonial visits, after speaking OF the
health of her mare, which. it seemed, wa S
improving. mentioned incidentally that the
messengers running night and day had
met the white man and called back" that
he was safe and we'll. He added that had
it not been for her vision this said white
man would certainly have been killed as a
spy.
Yes. knew that" answered Rachel,
indifferently. although her heart thumped
the Inkoos was to be brought straight
here when he arrives. If no., let it be
known that such Is my command. The
king can receive him afterward if 1t
not depart until the next day
Then she yawned, and as though by an
afterthought asked II any news had been
"called back" from Mole
Tamboosa answered, no: no system of
intelligence had been organized In the
direction In which she had gone, for that
country was empty OF enemies, and indeed
OF popula ton. However, this would not
distress the Inkosazana, who had only to
consult her spirit to see all that happened
to her servant.
Rachel replied that of course this was
SO, but as matter Of fact she had not
troubled about the matter. then waved her.
hand to show that the interview was at
an end
1t was the morning OF the third day,
and while Rachel was delivering judgment
in case. messenger entered and whis-
pered something to the induna on duty,
who rose and saluted her
what Is it?' she asked.
only this. Inkosazana: the white In
koos from the Buffalo river has arrived,
and is without"
Good" said Rachel, "let him await
there Then she went on with her judg-
iiSht. les, Bio WtIl VII, although Her
eyes were blind. and the blood beating in
her ears sounded like the roll of drums
She finished it. and after a decent interval
bowed her head in acknowledgment of the
customary salutes. and made the sign
which intirhated that the court was to be
cleared.
Slowly slowly, all the crowd melted
away. leaving her alone with her women.
Co" she said to one of them. land bid
the captain admit this white chief Say
n1
Then depart. all of you. II should need
you I will call"
The girl went on her errand while her
companions filed away through the back
round to make sure of her solitude. 1t
was complete, no one was left There
she sat In state upon her carved stool, her
wand In her hand her white cloak upon
her shoulders. and the sunlight that pass
ed over the round of the hut behind her
glinting on her hair till it shone like a
crown Of gold, but leaving her face in
shadow; sat quite still like some lovely
tinted statue.
The gate Of the inner fence opened and
closed again after man who entered.
He walked forward a few PAGES then
stood still. for the flood of light that re-
vealed him so clearly at first prevented
him from seeing her seated in the shadow.
Oh. there could be no further doubt-be-
fore her was Richard Darrien, the lad
grown to manhood. from whom she had
parted so many years ago. Now. as then.
he was not tall. though very strongly
built, and for the rest, save for his short
beard, the change in him seemed little
The same clear. thoughtful gray eyes, the
same pleasant open race, the same de-
termined mouth. She was not dsappoint-
ed in him, she knew this at once. She
liked him as well as she had done at the
first.
Now he caught sight of her and stayed
there, staring. She tried to speak. to well
come him. but could not-no words would
come. He also seemed to be smitten with
dumbness, and thus the two of them re-
manned a while. At last he took off his
hat almost mechanically, as though from
instinct, and said vaguely:
You are the Inkosazana-y-Zoola. are
you not?"
IT am so called" she answered softly,
and with effort.
The moment that he heard her voice,
with a movement so swift that it was al
most spring, he advanced to her, saying:
Now 1 am sure; you are Rachel Dove,
the little girl who Oh. Rachel! How
lovely you have grown"
Il am glad you think so, Richard" she
voice, a voice laden with the love within
her. and reddening to her eyes. Then she
let fall her wand, and rising. stretched
out both her hands to him.
They were face to face now, but he did
not take those hands; he passed his arms
about her. drew her to him unresisting
and kissed her on the lips. She slipped
from his embrace down on to her stool,
while he stood over her, trembling and
confused. Rachel looked up, her beautiful
eyes filled with tears, and whispered:
why should I be ashamed? 1t Is fate"
yes he answered. fate"
For so both of them knew 1t to be. Though
| they had seen each other but once before.
| their love was so great, the bond between
| their natures so perfect and complete that
| this outward expression of it would not
be denied. Here was a mighty truth
| wh}cl hurst through all wrappiDeS of