The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-05
THE LADY OF THE HEAVENS.
Copyright, 1908, by IT. Rider Haggard
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what if it is in a cage, Zoola?'
 'I am queen here, Noie; the bars will burst at my word.''
 ''It may be so, zoola, but what if the bird should find that it has no nest to fly to?''
 .swhat do you mean?" asked Rachel paling.
 "Only that it seems best that you should not anger these Zulus, Lady, lest it should come into their minds to destroy your nest, thinking that so you might come to love this cage. No, no, I have heard nothing, but I guess their thoughts. You need rest; bide here where you are safe day or two, and let us see what happens"
 Speak plainly, Noie. I do not un- derstand your parable of birds and cages"
 say you will go, none, not the King you would have to go on foot, for then that horse would die. But an impi would go with you, or before you, and woe betide those who held you from returning to Zululand! Do you un- derstand me now?"
 ''Yes," answered Rachel "You mean!-oh! I cannot speak it. I will remain here a few days"
 So she arose and bathed herself and was dressed by Noie, and ate of the food that had been brought to the door of the hut. Then she went out, and in the little courtyard found a lit ter waiting that was hung round with grass mats.
 enter the Htter," said Noie-
 She did so, whereon Noie clapped her hands and girls in bead dresses ran in, and having prostrated them selves before the litter, lifted it up and carried it away, Noie walking at its side.
 Rachel, peeping between the mats, saw that she was borne out of the frNxr InI lsrfo by guard of hundreds of armed men. Presently they began to ascend a hill, whereon grew many trees, and after climbing it for a while, reached a large kraal with huts between the out CT and inner fence, and in it's centre a great space of park-like land through which ran a stream.
 Here, by the banks of the stream, stood large new hut, and behind at a little distance two or three other huts. In front of this great hut the litter was set down by the bearers, who at once went away. Then at Noie's bidding Rachel came out of it and looked at the place which had been given her in which to dwell. E It was a beautiful spot. away from the dust and noises of the Great Kraal, and so placed upon shoulder of the hillside that the soldiers who as it was called, could not be seen or heard. Yet Rachel looked at it with diStaSte, feeling that it was that cage of which Noie had spoken.
 A cage it proved indeed. a solitary cage, for here Rachel abode in regal seclusion and in state that could only be called awful. No man might ap proach her house unbidden, and the maidens who waited upon her did so with downcast eyes, never speaking, and falling on their knees if address ed- On the first day of her imprison- ment, for it was nothing less. an un- happy Zulu, through ignorance or fol- ly. slipped through the outer guard and came near to the inner fence. Rachel, who was seated above, heard some shouts of rage and horror, and in another minute a body was being carried away upon shield. He had died for his sacrilege
 Once a day ambassadors came to her from the King to ask of her health, and If she had orders to give, but now even these men were not allowed to look upon her. They were led in by the women, each of them with a piece of bark cloth over his head, and from beneath this cloth they addressed her as though she were in truth divine. On the first day she bade them tell the King. that her misison being ended, it was her desire to depart to her own home beyond the river. They heard her words in silence, then asked if she had anything to add. She replied yes, it was her will that they should cease to wear veils in her presence. also that no more men should be kill ed upon her account as had happened that morning. They said that they would convey the order at once, as several were under sentence of death, who had argued as to whether she were really the InkoSaZana Soi she sent them away instantly, fearing lest they should be too rate, and they were led off backwards lowing and giving the royal salute. Afterwards ,I,@ .-s~ mands had arrived just in time, and that the blood of these poor people was not upon her head.
 Next day the messengers returned sired, bearing the answer of the King and his council It was to the effect that the Inkosazana had no need to ask permission to come or to go. Her could wander where it willed; all the impis of the Zulus could not hold her Spirit. But-and here came the sting of this clever answer-it was neceS> sary, until her sayings had been con- Sidered. that the body in which that Spirit abode should remain with them a while. Therefore the King and his councillors and the whole nation of the Zulus prayed her to be satisfied with the sending of her Spirit across the Tugela, leaving her body to dwell a space in the House of the InkoSa- zana.
 Rachel looked at them in despair, for what was she to reply to sucha reasoning this? Before she could make up her mind, their spokesman said that a while man, Ibubesi, who said that he had often spoken with her, asked leave to visit her in her house.
 Now Rachel thought a while. Ish- mael was the last person in the whole world whom she wished to see. Aft the interview when they parted, and all that had hapepned since, it could not be otherwise. She remem- bered the threats he had uttered then, and to her father afterwards, the bru- tai and revolting threats. Some of these had been directed against Noie. and subsequently, Noie was kidnapped by the Zu1uS- That those directed at herself had not been fulfilled was, she felt sure, due to a lack of opportunity alone.
 Little wonder. then, that she feared and hated the man. Still he was of white blood, and perhaps for this req