The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-07-09
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)6Y FRANK BARRETT K
Copyright 1895, by Macmillan b Co.
Continued.
CHAPTER XXX.

daughter in his arms and hugEing hel |
to his breast, when tho first shock of sur
prise was past. MY own sweet Moll, |
come hither to warm hcr old fathers |
hearth
"And my own" says she tenderly,
(which fear hath grown little want
ing in love for ye since / have been
mated. But, though my dear Dick draws
so deeply from my well of affection,
there is still somewhere down here
(clapping her hand upon her hearth "a
source that first sprang for you and can
never dry"
AYE, and it's a proof" says he
"your coming here where we may speak
and act without restraint, though it be
but for five minutes ="
Give minutes !" cries she, springing
up with her natural vivacity. why,
I'll not leave you before the morning,
unless you weary of me-" And then,
with infinite relish and sly humor, she
told of her device for leaving the court
without suspicion.
I do confess was at first greatly
alarmed for the safe issue of this esca-
pade, but she assuring me twas dirty
night, and she had passed no one on the
road, l felt a little treasured To be
sure, thinks 1, Mr.. Goodwin, by some ac-
cident, may return, but finding her gone
and hearing Captain Evans keeps me to
my house he must conclude she has come
hither and think no harm of her for that
neither, seeing we are old friends and
sobered with years, for it's the most
natural thing in the world that, feeling
lonely and detected for the loss of her
husband, she should seek such harmless
diversion as may be had in our society.
However, for the sake of appearances,
thought it would be wise to get this
provision of ham and birds out, for fear
of misadventure, and also took instant
precaution to turn the key in my street
door. Being but two men, and neither
of US overnice in the formalities, had
set cheese, loaf and bottle betwixt
us on the bare table Of my Office room,
for each to serve himself as he would,
but now proposed that, having lady
in our company, we should pay more re-
gard to the decencies by going up stairs
to my parlor, and there laying table
cloth and napkins for our repast.
faye, certainly !" cries Moll, who had
grown mighty fastidious in these par
ticulars since she had been mistress of
Hurst Court. ''This dirty table would
spoil the best appetite in the world.
So carried fagot and some apple
logs up stairs and soon had brave fire
leaping up the chimney, by which time
Moll and her father, with abundant
mirth, had set forth our victuals on a
clean white cloth, and to each Of us a
clean plate, knife and fork, most proper.
Then, all things being to our hand, we
sat down and made most hearty meal
Of Mrs. Butterby's good cheer, and all
three of us as merry as grigs, with not
a shadow Of misgiving.
There had seemed something piteous
to me in that appeal of Moll's that she
might be herself for this night, and in
deed marveled now how she could have
so trained her natural disposition to an
artificial manner and could no longer
wonder at the look Of fatigue and wea-
riness in her face on her return from
London.
For the old reckless, careless, dare
devil spirit was still alive in her, as
could plainly see now that she aban-
doned herself entirely to the free sway
of impulse. The old twinkle of mirth
and mischief was in her eyes, she was
no longer fine lady, but merry vaga-
bond again, and when she laughed twas
with her hands clasping her sides, hel
head thrown back and all her white
teeth cleaning in the light.
"Now," says I, when at length oul
meal was finished, 81 will clear the ia
ble"
"Hoopp' cries she, catching up the
corners Of the tablecloth and flingine
them over the fragments. IT'S done
Let us draw round the fire and tell ole
tales. Here's pipe, dear dad. l low
the smell Of tobacco, and you, " to me
"do fetch me pipkin that I may brew
good drink to keep our tongues go
ing. ;"
About the time this drink was brew
ed Simon, leading Mr.. Goodwin by cir
cuitous way, came through the garden
to the back Of the house, where was {
door, which had never opened for lacl
of a key to fit the lock This key wa
now in Simon's hand, and putting i
with infinite care into the hole he softl,
turned the wards. Then, with the ik
precaution, he lifts the latch and gentl.
thrusts the door open, listening at ever.
, inch to catch the sounds within. A
length it's opened wide Then, turn
ing his face to Mr.. Goodwin, who wait
behind, sick with mingled shame ant
creeping dread, he beckons him to fol
low.
Above Dawson was singing at the to-
of his voice sea song he had learne'
! of mariner at the inn he frequented a
! Greenwich, with troll at the end, TAX
en- up by Moll and me, and to hear hi
wife's voice bearing part in this rud
song made Mr. Godwin's heart to sin
within him. Under cover of this nois
Simon mounted the stairs without hest