The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-22
KALIKAI OF HILO.
By NARY WOOD.

Again he must sing. AS he began the Ha-
waiians turned in surprise. Lstlessness and
hesitancy were forgotten with the audience.
He sang for her, and his eyes never left her
face His voice was vibrant with tenderness
rs he sang of the weary search, glad and tri-
umphant as he sang of the JOY OF meeting
The last notes swelled into silence But a
wonan's cry of terror rang out above the
applause Kalikai had fallen forward on his
face, and there was splash of scarlet on the
white of his blouse. AS they rang the curtain
down the golden haired girl heard voice
say That's the way all the poor fellows go
when they come over here. Consumption gets
them sooner or later"
She had risen and was speaking softly, I'M
7 petuously: Father, don't you recognize
him? 1t is Kalikai, the young Hawaiian who
was so good to us at Hilo. And years ago he
taught me that very song. He was so kind
to us there when we were strangers in his
land, and here he knows no one, and he Is
ILL.," Her voice choked. but she went on
eagerly I'VE must go to him. We may be
able to do something for him. No. no! We
won't wait. We must go at once, or We may
be too late. l.. ---.
She always had been spoiled child, and 80
at last they yielded to her wish.
Ind that is why when Kalikai woke rs
from a troubled sleep and murmured ..Alce.!
her face bent over him. She pressed glass
to his lips she said, with tremulous
SMILE Drink ...
He did not question her presence. He lay
back and looked at her, and again swift color
flashed into her cheeks. Yet even he
looked shadow fell across his face. for she
had changed woefully. 1t was no longer the
girl who had leased and played with him,
but woman whose beauty had somehow
! hardened in the ripening. There were snad-
ows under the eyes and bitter curves around
| l., Ln1r ahc in n
pictures. Unconsciously he sighed and closed
his eyes. The meeting so long prayed for
brought more sadness than joy. Lying there,
he did not see her face soften or her eyes
shine with tender feeling. With an impetu-
Gus movement she bent over and pressed her
lips against a lock Of the dark hair that lay
against the pillow As she raised her head
her face was dyed scarlet with bushes. which
faded as her glance fell on ring on her
| finger
| She was silent, her hands pressed tightly
| together.
/ When at last he opened his eyes and looked
at her, she smiled bravely, while he: finger
, motioned him not to speak. Her voice was
| low but steady as she said
This is q strange meeting, my friend, after
| many days, and we have both changed. 1
have learned many things since We parted.
| ! am married. He started, but she went
| on hurriedly: MY husband is not here to-
| night. he seldom Is. he is 100 much ao-
| sorbed in business. American husbands often
| are that way. But am happy, quite happy.
| My father and mother live with US, and you
! know how dear they are to me. 1 am very
| fortunate woman. But you-you have changed
| too. O. why did you ever leave your lovely
! island?"
| His eyes told her the reason, but she gave
! no sign that she could read them.
| You were always happy there. I was
! happy. Every one was happy. But 1t is Eot
| too late for you. You go back. Promise
| me that you will go back, and the warm sun
| shine will make you strong again, and you
| will forget this country Of cold and mist
| He could not the storm raging beneath
! her forced composure. He did not guess why
| she spoke almost CURLY. He only thought
that she had grown cold and hard. His
| dream was shattered.
! So he went back to Hawaii and the dark
eyed girl who waiting for him. With
her he learned to forget even the pang of
| lost illusion, and the golden haired American
became but a pretty memory.