Middletown transcript., 1911-07-01
TO THE GODS OF TOOUAY-TO
-
BY LEoNoRA BECK ELLIS

plan gr6aG LnlngS, Dub WOulu
they make as good kings as coun-
cillors? doubt.me. Years back I
one of your brothers stayed with
me twenty moons. l had bought
him and his family from people
l was trading with. His wife
taught the Princess your tongue
you see how well.
You bought them-they we're
slaves? Esmond questioned quick.
ly, repugnancein in his tones.
If buying them made then so,
yes, returned his Majesty, quite
calmy. They had gone to the
other people freely, and with q
message the chief words Of
which I remember as Peace and
good will. But they were facing |
worst than death when l offered
a cargo Of spices from the royal
groves for the three. thought |
it might please the Princess, who
was sorrowing in her earliest
WidoWhood. And it did.
Levering weighed all this in
silence, and found several things
growing clearer to his inner Wis
ion.
Did they deliver their message here2 be
asked at last, when the king seemed to
expect him to speak.
would none of it-for myself or my |
people. But I listened sometimes to the
man, when he must needs talk Of other |
things, at my behest. Finding him some |
wise clever, / gave him better work for |
while than his message. The Princess
never seemed to tire Of the little White
One and the yelloW-haired woman with |
the birds voice.
Where are they noWP the young man
found himself unable to refrain from ask.
ing, although fearfully.
He is asleep under the almond trees
over there. Edmond looked, with shad.
owing eyes, where the fat brown hand in |
dicated, then back at the monarch boldly. |
No, did not have it done, Matazino
continued placidly, facing the distrust in |
the others gaze. For, be added with
royal nsivete, be never gave me cause. II |
was fever. The woman grieved without
comfort, until the Princess would send |
her and the little white man back where |
they could reach their own. I might not
have had it so-but her Highness has |
ways.
The royal eyes shot look, keen, search.
ing, in Lovering's direction but it was
lost, for the aliens thoughts we're full Of
the queer, sad little story.
Long ago, in bis College-town, there had |
been a girl in whose power it lay, be told |
her, to shape his life to large ends and |
measureless happiness. But she could not
see it with bis vision. Work in the mis-
sion.felds of the Orient was calling to her
even then. What if
Matazino began to talk again, and Es-
mond followed with half attention, the
other half straying after the memory Of
an elm mshsped street, where boy, ardent
passionately in earnest, was walking, and
at bis side girl like the neW.bloWn lilies
in bis mothers garden.
Prime minister you would call it, Mata-
Zinc was saying when Esmond came fully
back To the present.
Prime minister, yes? Esmond repeated
with vague questioning, when the kings
emphatic pause indicated expectation OF
some reioinder.
But the king did not proceed at once.
When he did, the American sat up very
straight. look Of amaEement blazing sud-
denly blazing in his fine eyes.
My kingdom needs such vizler as you
might make, Matazino was measuring it
studiedly. A white mans hand can point
q course well. That is not all. To render
you secure in your high place, steadfast-
rooted in my peoples honor and fealty,
will publicly bethroth you, at Moon Of
May, to I'll Princess Wiyuna, tole daugh-
ter of our royal house.
l Under other circumstances, Emond
Coverings very American thought v Would
have been: Where did the old scoundrel
learn his art? But not now. His strange
plight absorbed every other consideration.
Unmindful Of court etiquette be arose
and stroYe across to easement giving on
] to the wide, sunIit bay. Mstazino, watch
ing the foreigner, drew bis beetIing broWs
down low.
At this moment Of strain, a messenger
with tidings Of deep moment was announ.
ce1, and speedily entered, abasiDg him
self at the royal feet.
Good news, my Sovereign We have
conquered Cruziamia. The larger boats
follow, with the prisoners and rich spoils. j
There are white eaptives, also pair OF
them. The male will no doubt prove
l eulbADl6 ODiAblOu III buo bCLuplc'Lit6e bOOu
to be, while his mate our king may be.
stow upon the unworthy servant at bis
feet, if no other shall offer to relieve him
of her.
4 Swept along by his desires, Aguerrio
had poured out too much for the first an
nouncement. The king, pleased in the
beginning, was seowling darkly when the
messenger ended. With gestsr towards
LeYering, be dismissed the victorious
chief, with no sign Of royal favor further
than the first gleam of the eye shown him.
The young man gazing from the easement
had been too wholly wrapped up In bis
own thoughts to note the chiefs tumble
Of news and petition.
In the Toquay-to year there one isuni-
que celebration, festival designated in
The language OF the Isles as Moon Of
May" The population of the whole
realm then pours into the capita !, adorned
with Wondrous splender. Stately Eesti-
vities ilI the day; and by night, with the
i Nav moon at full meridian, ber food Of
violet light Illuminating the palace, the
great temple, and even the meaneF dwell
IinRs, there can be only ioyanee and
gayety. When noon Of the last day OF |
Il kha festival cornaa q procession moves