The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-12
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 THE LADY OF THE HEAVENS.
Copyright, 1908, by H. Rider Haggard
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that it is the Kings will that none should dare to tnwart thee. even if they could Yet think that very soon thou wilt return to thy children. There fore, why not abide with us until to- morrow. when the waters will be low?"
 ''Tamboosa,'' said Rachel. leaning forward and looking him in the eyes, "why did Ibubesi cross this river with soldiers but few hours ago-Ibubesi, who fled from the Great Place when the moon was young that now is full? Look, there goes their spoor in the mud"
 'I know not he answered. looking down. Inkosazana. tomorrow I will bring on the white OK to Ramah, and l will bring it alone.'
 50 be it. Tamboosa. but if by chance you should not find me. ask where Ibubesi is. and if need be. seek for me with an impi. Tamboosa-for me and for this white man, Dario," and again she bent forward and looked at him.
 "I know not what thou meanest. In- kosazana." he replied. "But of this be sure. that if I cannot find thee. then I will seek for thee. if need be with every spear n Zululand at my back
 Farewell, then, Tamboosa.' and to the regiment farewell also. Say to the captains that it is my will that they ing my greetings to the K.ng and those of the white lord. Darlo. Look for me tomorrow at Ramah.'
 Then. followed by Richard, she rode
 
 water. As she went Tamboosa drew himself up and gave her the Bayete the royal salute.
 Although it was red with earth and hecked with foam and the roar of it was loud as it sped towards the sea the river did not prove very difficult to ford. But once, indeed, were the horses swept off their feet and forced after which they regained them and plunged to the further bank without accident.
 Free at last, Rachel. with our lives before and nothing more to fear" called Richard in his cheery voice, as he forced his horse alongside of hers. Then suddenly he caught sight of her face and saw that 1t was white and drawn as though with pain; also that she leaned forward on her saddle. clasping it's pommeI as though she were about to faint.
 What is it?" he exclaimed in alarm. Did the flood frighten you, Rachel are you ill?''
 For few moments she made no an- swer, then strengthened herself with sigh and said in low voice:
 Richard, I have been so long among those Zulus playing the part of a spirit that I begin to think am one, or that their magic has got hold of me. I tell you that in the roar of the water I heard voices-the voices of my father and mother calling me and speaking Of you-and, Richard, they seemed to be in great fear and pain. For a minute or more I heard them. then dreadful cold wind blew on me-not this wind. it seemed to come from above-and everything passed away. leaving my mind dumb and empty so that I do not remember how we came out of the river. Don't laugh at me, Richard; it is so. The Kaff1rs are right: have some power of the sort. Remember how I saw you travelling towards me in the poo1.'
 why should I laugh at you, dear est?" he asked anxiously for snrne- thing of this uncanny fear passed from her mind into his, with which it was in tune. Indeed, I don't laugh who know that you are not quite Ike other women But, Rachel, the strain of those two months has worn you out, and now the reaction is too much. Perhaps it is nothing."
 Perhaps she answered sadly, "I hope so. Richard, what is the time?"
 About a quarter to six, to judge by the sum-" he answered.
 :'Then we shall not be able to reach Ramah before dark"
 'No. Rachel, but there is a good moon.'
 ''Yes. there is a good moon; wonder what it will show uS,'' and she sf1iv- cred.
 Then they pressed their horses to a canter and rode on, speaking little, for the fount of wofds seemed to be frozen in them, although Richard recollected with a curious sense of wonder how he had looked forward to this oppor- tunity of long, unfettered talk with Rachel and how much he had to tell her. Over hill and valley, through bush and stream they rode, till at last with the short twilight they reached the plain that ran to Ranah. Then came the dark in which they must ride slowly, till presently the round edge of the moon pushed itself up above the shoulder of a hill and there was light again-pure, peaceful light that turn ed the weld to silver and snone whitely on the pale face of Rachel.
 Ranah was before them. They had met no living thing save some wild game trekking to the water, and heard no sound. save the distant roar of some beast of prey. RaInah was before them. The moon shone on the roofs of the Mission-house and the little church and the clusters of Kaffir huts beyond. But, or! it was silent; no cattle lowed, no child cried, nor did the bell of the church ring for even ing prayer as at this hour it should have done. Also no lamp showed in the windows of the Mission-houSe and no smoke rose from the cooking fires of the kraals
 ''Where are all the people, Rfchard7'' whispered Rachel There is the place unharmed but where are the people?" head; the terror of something dreadful had got hold of him also, and he knew not what to say.
 Now they had come to the wall of the Mission-house and sprang from their horses which they left loose. AS they advanced side by side towards the open gate, something leapt from the stoep and rushed through it. It was 9. striped hyena; they could see the hair brisItle on it's back as it pass ed them with a whining growl- Hand in hand they ran to the house across the little garden patch-Rachel, led by instinct pr1lidjnG her cOlnD4niOn straight to her parents room whereof the windows, that opened like doors, stood wide as the gate had done.
 One more moment and they were there; another, and the moonlight showed them all.
 For a long while-to Richard it seemed hours-Rachel said nothing; only stood still like the statue of a wo-