The free press., 1893-06-22

bhN SUI WhtcI tihb WAS 80 tieAu anu
clear that he could see the pebbles
lying at the bottom.
A vigorous young man of twenty
five, however, cannot live on scenery
aud "reminiscences alone, and by the
time Roger was dressed he could have
seen no more welcome sight than the
little table on tho veranda that was
being made ready for breakfast. The
servants were running around the
house, gentle, brown creatures with
soft voices, calling "Aloha! Aloha
in Christmas greeting. In honor of
this day that the missionaries had
taught them was the greatest in all the
year, they had decorated the house
with branches of hibiscus, and woven
wreaths of smiax and jessaminc
around the windows; even the mas
ter's breakfast table was strewn with
red pomegranate blossoms.
Roger and pile of necklaces, gew-
gaws and print gowns that he had
hoped Mary would have saved him the
embarrassment of distributing.
"Pm in for it now," he thought, as
he carried them down stairs and
called to the steward to collect
the woman servants. They came
slowly and timidly with downcast
eyes, their freshest garments donned
for the festival and their long black
hair bound and plated with gay
lauhala buds. What picture they
made, grouped together against q
background of huge cactus; their man.
ner, always gentle, was as different
from an English servants strong ac-
ceptance of a Christmas tip, as their
loose garments and flower-bound hair
differed from trim cap and apron.
They kissed Rogers hand again aud
again with gratitude and affection.
"Alohal Nelly Kismas, haolel"
Ike lole maik."
axe haole maiki loa."
"Aloha! Alohai Nelly Kismasl
Nelly Kismas!" they called back in
their soft. pattering speech, as they
ran away to their quarters to exhibit
and examine their treasures, leaving
HIM in peace to his strange breakfast
Of taro cakes, baked breadfruit and
mullet.
Roger forgot his healthy appetite
and swallowed the food mechanically
as he watched small figure that was
coming down the narrow, dusty road
from Honolulu. TIL ere was no mis-
taking the long, Looping gait of the
professional messenger.
"a ship is signalled! English flag!"
called the native, and scarcely stop
ping he was gone, to carry the news
OH to the next plantation. For at
this time the arrival of ship was an
event, and the arrival of this one
doubly so. laden as it would be
with Christmas presents and messages
from home.
The man was scarcely gone before
Roger was on his way TO the town.
Could it be Mary's ship? There were
several vessels overdue. so lie must
not be too sangune. He hurried
along trying to keep down his excite
ment, and repeatedly telling himself
that he would not be bit disap-
pointed if the sighted ship was not
the "Andromeda.
On the quay were gathered most OF
the inhabitants of the little town, a
motley and picturesque crowd; mis-
sionaries and their wives in the gar
ments of civilization; royal personages
and natives with fower-bound hair
and flowing robes; swarthy half-nude
bearers and divers, their smooth
brown skins cleaning in the sunlight;
Cinnamon and vendors of wreaths ana
lauhala buds for the hair, all Jostling
each other in common curiosity.
The ship had just dropped anchor
outside the reef to wait for the rising
time; it was the "Andromeda!
Roger could scarcely believe his eyes
and good luck. A sudden delermi''a-
ton seized him. Why delay? Why
could not Mary first set foot on the
island as his wife?
Explaining his plan quickly 10 Il
good old missionary, who was con-
veniently on the spot, Roger soon pro-
cured boat and six stalwart rowers