The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-04-06
4 plot FOR 4 GROWN.
Tale Of Political Intrigue In Hawaii.
By JOSEPH A. ALTsHELER.
copyright. 1899, by j. A. Altsheler.l
Concluded from last week. J

Concluded from last week
They strolled gravely on, and turned
into Chinaman's shop to try on pair
of new shoes he was making for me.
ate supper late, but my appetite
was not good was thinking too much
of the midnight hour to be hungry.
drank two cups of hot coffee, which l
thought would steady my nerves and
brace me up. Then | went to my room
and arrayed myself very carefully in
evening dress, the uniform of the con-
spirators. For further adornment l
placed a rose in my buttonhole and
went forth
l found q cabman, native who ap-
peared to have no curiosity. He smiled
amiably at my evening dress, but
asked no questions. dismissed him
ct the designated corner and took my
way to the cocoanut grove. / met no
one and arrived in safety at the trees.
1t looked SO very black in the grove
that hesitated about entering. Had
there been any wild animals in Hawaii
would not have gone in at all, but 1
knew there could be no danger except
from men, and stepped softly into the
shadow, which swallowed me up at
once. 1 uttered the signal whistle, and
to my infinite gladness the ready re-
sponse came. stepped forward, feel
ing my way cautiously, and a big bulb
Of light struck me between the eyes. I
uttered a little exclamation and be-
lieved | was betrayed, but the familiar
voice of Mortimer announced that it
was all right.
.It's merely little lantern that 1
brought along for convenience" said
he. ''This place is so confoundedly
dark. All the others are here, and we
may as we'll begin our plans at once"
We found fallen cocoanut palm,
and all sat down upon it. Mortimer
put out the lantern, and we sat for
nearly minute in silence.
"We ought to begin our plans,' said
Mortimer presently. IF man under
takes a plot, he ought to carry it OUT
So / thought also; but, being an
amateur at the business, did not like
to say anything.
Il think we ought to arrange for a
division of the kingdom" said Hughes.
II don't see that there's to be any di-
vision, Hughes, said Conway, rather
sharply. ''I'm to be king, and that's
the end of it."
''Oh, don't mean that" said Hughes
hastily. Don't think I'm trying to get
up revolution against you, Conway.
| meant the distribution of authority
under you. OF course you will live at
the palace here, but should think you
would want lieutenants or deputies on
the other islands. 1t would be best for
the people to be confronted always by
some personal representative Of the
royal authority
That's very sensible Of you,
Hughes" said Conway. '.How would
you like to go down to Hawaii as gov
ernor?'
He asked the latter question of me,
but did not see the proposition favor
ably 1t is a very rough voyage from
Honolulu to Hawaii, and / am subject
to seasickness. I said I would prefer
to remain in the capital and hold some
high office there.
"Oll, we'll, it doesn't matter" said
Conway good naturedly. perhaps I'd
best keep you with me, and it might be
the wisest thing to make a Kanaka.
some chief of the old Kamehameha
family, governor of Hawaii. 1t would
please the people and attach them to
my dynasty"
"The idea is good" said Mortimer,
"and we ought to have native govern.
ors for Maui and Kauai too. We must
identify ourselves thoroughly with the
island. We must not be foreign in any
particular. All people like to think
theirrulers are the same as themselves,
only little better, and they are quick
to resent importations"
Then I'm glad they don't stick to the
old native Dress" said Hughes, II
don't think I'd look we'll as commander
In chief Of the army with feather
headdress and warclub."
"You shall have the most magnificent
uniform that can buy you in Europe,
Hughes" said Conway. "By the way.
/ think shall change the present uni.
form Of the army 1t isn't bright
enough. Mortimer, can't you light that
lantern OF yours and give us just a ray
or two? It's so deucedly dark In here
1t gives my flesh the creeps."
Mortimer obeyed and threw the light
in complete circle around us, but dis.
closed nothing save the stems of the
palms. Their spreading tops formed a
perfect canopy. A sea breeze had be.
gun to blow. and the leaves rustled
sadly. We heard whistle on the Wal
kiki road. Quick as a flash Mortimer
turned out the light, and we sat on the
log, our pulses humping. We heard
another whistle farther up the Waiki-
XII road, and Mortimer calculated:
''The spies againi We have been
watched and folloWedr'
A third time we heard the whistle.
but farther uD than ever.
''The grove is surroundedv' said
Hughes. ''Our enemies are numerousw
heard somebody's teeth chattering.
did not feel at all comfortable.
''po you think that we're really fol-
lowed?" asked Conway as we heard
the whistle again.
"I've no doubt of it, said Mortimer.
'Then,' said Conway, sit 1t comes to
the worst. you must die like men and
like king"
in the old times" I said. "when a
Roman found life no longer worth liv-
ing he fell upon his sword and died."