The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-11-05

IN EH9FE anu WNiGu iTuiH tIlN RfAAhN AtN
unfolding buys and tiny settlements Of
that lost paradise, and then, dipping
his fing to bis vanished youth, be
would sink over the horizon, bis mem
ory thrilled and bis sentiment unim-
paired, 10 act his face for England.
Dawn was breaking m he slowed
down to lecward of the island md
watched the shadows melt away. y
was Sunday, day Of heavenly calm,
fresh yet windless, with sen 50
smooth that the barrier reefs for once
were silent and one could hear from
across the bushcd and shining water,
tho COO OF pigeons In the forest. I'm
der bare steeragc way, with the leads
man droning In the forechains, the
ship Rugged tho shore and steamed nt
d snnil'y pace round the island. On
the lofty bridge. high above the won
dering faces Of bis command, the
white haired captain. fmpassiye, 50.
preme and solitary, gave no sign OF
those inner emotions that were de-
youring him. Along the shore the
sight OF the battleship brought out
here and thers startled figure or O
group. A couple OF laughing girls,
astride on ponies. raced the InHexible
for mic, and then, their road end.
Ing In n precipicc, threw kisses with
their snucy hands. Little children ran
out Into the lagoon. shouting with JOY;
old men, In Sunday clothes and Win
black Bibles under their arms, turned
their solemn eyes to seaward and for.
got for moment the road to church.
A white man, In striped pajamas. was
surprised at morning coffee on the ye-
randa Of his little house. He darted
inside and rcappeared with q maga-
zine rifle, which he emptied In the air
and followed up his courtesies by rails
ing and lowering union jack the
size OF a handkerchief. The battle
ship dipped her stately white ensign
IN acknowledgment, as swan might
salute gnat. and swept on with
majesty.
with every mile the bays and
wooded promontorics grew increasing
IL familiar as Sir John was boNe to-
ward Llhua. the scene Of his boyish
folly. He looked ashore IN wonder.
surprised at the vlvidness and exact
ness OF his recollection. He might
have landed anywhere and found his
way through those tangled, scented
paths, with no other guide but mem
ory.
There was papaloloa, with its roar
ing falls: there, the IL n Peau. where
he had shot his first goat; yonder the
misty heights OF Tiarapu, where TIE
hea and he had camped night in the
clouds In nm air OF English cold. Il
was like homecoming to see al
these familiar scenes spreading ou'
before him. He looked at his hands
his thin, veined. wrinkled hands, and
/ II came over him, with sort Of sur
prise, that he was IN old man.
1 .rhat was forty years ago." he sait
\ to himself. Forty years ago"
As Lihua opened out and he per
ceived, with an inexpressible pang
the matched houses set deep In tn
shade Of palms and breadfruit trees
he felt himself In the throes OF
| strange and painful indecIsion. II
fpaced up and down the bridge; be II
cigar and threw II away again: b
| twice approached Commander Still
well as though TO give an order, nm
then. still In doubt. turned shame
facedly on his heel.
by the deep nlne!" came the hoars
murmur OF the leadsman.
II lay with him TO stop the ship o
not--a word and she would come shiy
ering to standstill; word and th
boatswain would pipe away his gi
and the crew would be running I
their places. His heart ached wit
the desire TO land; but something-h
knew not withheld the order o.
his lips. Let him remain silent an
the opportunity would pass away fol-
ever. 1t was passing now with ever.
turn OF the propeller. Had he not toll
her he would return? Had he no
whispered 1t that night when the,
were torn apart? Did be not owe
to her to keep the promise Of fort
years, a promise given In the flush o
youth and hope. and sealed with scald
Ing tears?
| His resolution was taken, He ol
dered Commander Stillwell to stop th
ship and lower a boat.
II am going to treat myself to
run ashore" he said by way Of es
PLANTATION.
The vessel slowly stopped. The coy
ers were whipped of the gig. She wa
holsted out and lowered, the GREY
dropping down the ladder into thei
places at the peep-peep-peep OF tn
Wnlstie.
II leave the ship" said Sir John, nc
to convey fact patiently obvious, br
In obedience to naval formula.
He was landed at a little cove wher
In bygone days he had often while
away an hour In charge Of Hadow
boat. It gave him singular sensatio
to feel the keel CRATE against the shil
gle and to say to himself that this wa
Iihua! He drew a deep breath as b
looked about and noticed how III
changed 1t all was. There were som
new houses In new places and gras
on the sites Of others that were 81
, deared to him In recollection, but
! xyoc thua after all the TihuA Of Nj