The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-05-24

house, gentle, Drown creatures with
soft voices, calling "Aloha! Aloha"
IN Christmas greeting. III honor vt
this day that the missionaries had
taught them wns the greatest in all the
year, they had decorated the house
with branches Of hibiscus, aud woven
wreaths of smilux aud jessaminc
around tho windows; even the mas
tcr's breakfast table was strcwn with
red pomcgranate blossoms.
Roger aud a pile OF necklaces, gew-
gaws aud print gowns that he had
hoped Mary would have saved him the
embarrassment of distributing.
"rm in for it now" he thought, as
he carried them down stairs aud
calt,l to the steward to collect
the woman servants. They came
slowly and timidIy with downcast
eyes, their freshest garments donncd
for the festival aud their long black
hair bound aud plated with gay
lauhala buds. What picture they
made, q onped together against n
| background of huge cactus; their man
ncr, always gentle. was as different
from nm English servants strong ac-
ceptancc of Christmas tip, ~ their
loose garments aud tlower-bound hair
ditlerc from trim cap and apron.
They kissel Rogers hand again and
again with gratitude aud affection.
"Alohal Nelly Kismas, haoe"
"Ke lolc mnilii."
axe luole mniki lon."
"Alolia! Aloha! Nelly X ismas!
Nelly Kismas!" they called back in
their soft. pa'tering speech, as they
ran away t, lhclr quarters TO exhibit
aud examine their treasures, leaving
hun in peace to his strange break fast
of taro cukes. bak cd brcadfruit and
mullet.
Roger forgot his healthy appetite
and swallowed the food mechanically
as he watched a small figure that wa,
coming down the narrow, dusty road
from Honolulu. Th ere was no mis-
taking the long, loping gait of the
professional messenger.
"a ship is signalled! English flag !"
called the uativc, and scarcely stop
ping he was gone, to carry the news
OH to the next plantation. For at
this time the arrival of aship was an
event, aud the arrival of this one
doubly so. laden a, it would DO
with Christmas presents and messages
from home.
The man was scarcely gone before
Roger was OH his way TO the town.
Could il be Mary's shipp There were
several vessels overdue. so he must
not be too sanguine. lie hurried
along trying to keep down his excite
mcnt, and repeatedly telling himself
that he would not be bit disup-
pointed il the sighted ship was not
the "Andromcda."
On the quay were gathered most of
the inhabitants of the little town, a
motley aud picturesque crowd; mis-
sionaries and their wives in the gar
ments of cviliz uion; royal personagcs
and natives with flowcr-bound hair
and flowing robes; swarthy half-nude
bearers and divers, their smooth
brown skins cleaning in the sunlight; /;
Cinnamon and vendcrs of wrcaths and
lauhala buds for tho hair, all JostIing
each other in common curiosity.
The ship had just dropped anchor
outside the reef to wait for the rising
time; it was the "Andromcda!"
Roger could scarcely, believe his eyes
and good luck. A sudden dcicrmina-
ton seized him. Why delayp Why
could not Mary first set foot OH the
island as his wife?
Explaining his plan quickly to II
good old missionary, who was con-
venicntly Oh the spot, Roger soon pro-
cured a boat aud six stalwart rowcrs
to take them out to the ship. From
the quarterback the captain watched
the littlo boat put out.
"Go and tell Miss Jameson a boat
is coming" lie called to his wife
for the pretty English girl had
won the hearts of every one OIL
sbipboard, and lie did not doub,
that the approaching boat contained
her lover ats Mr.. Barring, sure"
he called in another few minutes; and
his wife rushed down the companion