The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-06-04

You can see right down the harbOr, 4
which is prottier again. Would'ee like
to see it now? o. course you would, an
it'll be so much handler for answerin
the door too. There's back door at tho
end O. the passage You've only to slip
a bolt an you'm out i'll the garden-out
to your boat, if you choose to keep one.
But the gardens a tidy little spot to
walk up an down in an make up your
sermons, wi nobody to overlook you but
the folk next door, an they IN church.
goers -
After supper that evening the young
minister unpacked his books and was
about to arrange them, but drifted to the
window instead. He paused for minute
or two with his face close to the pane,
and then flung up the sash. A faint
north wind breathed down the harbor,
scarcely ruffiing the water. Around and
above him the frosty sky flashed with
inuumcrable stars, and behind the banks
masts, behind the long chine Of the east
ern hill, a soft radiance heralded the ris.
ing moon 1t was the new moon, and
while he waited her thin horn pushed
up, as it Were, through the furze brake
on the hills summit, and she mounted
into the free heaven. With upturned
eyes the young minister followed her
course for 90 minutes, not consciously
observant, for he was thinking over his
ambitions, and at his time of life these
are apt to soar with the moon. Though
possessed with zeal for good work in this
L., lao ,,,t,nln1 hoe
Troy should be but stepping stone in
his journey. He meant to go far And
while he meditated his future, forgetting
the chill in the night air, it was being
decided for him by a stronger will than
his own. More than this, that will had
already passed into action. His destiny
was actually launched on the full spring
tide that sucked the crevices of the gray
wall at the garden end.
A slight sound drew the minister's
| gaze down from the moon to TIE quay
door. Its upper flap still stood open, al
| lowing square of moonlight to pierce
the straight black shadow Of the garden
wall.
In this square of moonlight were now
framed the head and shoulders of hu.
man being.
The young man felt a slight chill run
down his spine He leaned forward out
of the window and challenged the ap-
partition, batting his tone, as all people
bate it at that hour.
"Who are you?" he demanded, land
what is your business here?"
There was no reply for moment
though he felt sure his voice must have
carried to the quay door. The figure
| paused for a second or two, then unbar-
red the lower flap of the door and ad-
vanced across the walls shadow to the
center of the bright grass plot under the
window. 1t was the figure Of young
woman. Her head was bare and her
sleeves turned up to the elbows. She
wore no cloak or wrap to cover her from
the night air, and her short skirted,
Coarse frock was open at the neck. As
she turned up her face to the window
the minister could see by the moons
rays that it was well favored.
"Be you the new preacher" she ask.
ed, resting a hand on her hip and speak.
ing softly mp to him.
81 am thenew Independent minister. I"
Then I've come for you"
Come for me?"
''lss. My names Nance Trewartha,
an you 'en wanted across the water
quick as possible, Old Mrs Shades
a.dyin tonight over yonder"
"She wants me?"
"She's one O. your congregation an
can't die easy till you've seen her. l
reckon she's got something pom her
mind, an l was to fetch You over quick
as | could. "
As she spoke the church clock down
in the town chimod out the hour, and
Immediately after ten strokes sounded
OH the clear air
The minister consulted his own watch
and seemed to be considering.
Every well" said he after a pause.
"I'll come. l suppose must cross by
the ferry?"
Ferry closed this two hours, an you
needn't wake up any in the house. I've
brought fathers boat to the ladder be-
low, an I'll bringfyou back again,
You've only to step out here by the back
door. An wrap yourself up, for tits a
brave distance.
VERY well, suppose it's really Sc
rious"
Mortal. I'm glad you'll come" she
added simply.
The young man nodded down in q
friendly manner, and going back into
the room slipped on his overcoat, picked
up his hat and turned the lamp down
carefully. Then he struck match, found
his way to the back door and unbarred
it, The girl was waiting for him still in
the center of the grass plot
I'm glad you've come, " she repeat
ed, but this time there was something
like constraint in her voice As he pull
ed to the door softly she moved and led
the way down TO the wnterside.
From the quay door a long ladder ran
down to the water, At low water one
had to descend 90 feet and more, but
now the high tide left hut three of its
ruugs uncovered At the young minis
ter's feet a small fishing boat lay ready,
moored by a short painter to tho ladder.
The girl stepped lightly down and held
up her hand.
"Thank you," said the young man,
with dignity, "but do not want help. "
She made no answer to this, but as
he stepped down went forward and I'M
moored the painter Then she pushed
gently away from the ladder, hoisted
the small foresail, and returning to her
companion stood beside him for mo-
- with hey band ON the tiller.