The God of Civilization: A Romance by Mrs. M. A. Pittock - HTML preview

CHAPTER XXIII.

The day after the arrival of the Eliza Judd, Captain Gray left for New York, where his former home had been. His long exile from his native land and the loss of his family had embittered him. He felt no desire to return to Kaahlanai, where his daughter had defied his commands, following the promptings of her own heart. Life seemed to Captain Gray, a battle to be fought anew. He was no longer young, and it was a hard trial, at his age, to face the loss, not only of his family, but also his vessel, and, with her almost all his worldly possessions; therefore, we need not be surprised that he appeared a broken old man, as he boarded the train bound eastward.

“Lucy,” said Mabel one morning, about six months after the arrival of the Eliza Judd at San Francisco, “Ahleka and I have been talking over our intended return to Kaahlanai. We, both of us prefer the free life there, to that which is led here. We have chartered the Eliza Judd for the trip. Captain Harris says that he will be ready to leave in about a week.”

“Oh! Mabel,” exclaimed Lucy, “how am I going to exist without you? It seems dreadful to think of your leaving me again; but Mabel, after all, why need you leave me behind? Cannot my little Mae and I go with you? There, among those people, whom you have already taught me to love, I may still be happy; there I can bring my darling child up according to the dictates of nature, and need not follow the false ideas that are adhered to among our own people. May we go with you?”

“Indeed you may; we will be only too glad to take you to that paradise where all are so happy. But your husband, will he not object? And will not your mother place obstacles in your way?”

“My husband has passed out of my life entirely. Why, do you know, it has been over two months since I have seen him, or even heard from him. I know he is travelling somewhere in the east accompanied by that creature, Rosie Hastings. As to my mother, I cannot help it, if she does not like it. I shall not let pass this opportunity of securing happiness for myself and Mae.”

“Lucy, you do not know how glad I am that you have decided to accompany us. I did so want to ask you to go, but thought it best to wait until your own heart made you speak.”

That same afternoon Mabel had a long talk with Mr. Faxon, her lawyer, in regard to money matters, the result of which was, that Mabel set aside a certain sum of money for the use of her aunt, Mrs. Maynard. The residue of her property was to be divided amongst deserving people of the middle class; that class, whose whole existence is one struggle to get on in life without letting outsiders know how hard the battle is, in which they fight.

“For theirs is the hardest lot of all,” said Mabel; “they cannot ask help, and cannot take it without lowering their self esteem. The very poor ask, and receive help, but these, never; they must suffer in silence.”

The money was to be sent to them in such a manner, that none of the recipients should ever know whose hand had relieved them of the heavy burdens they had borne so long and patiently.

On Wednesday morning, the 16th of April, 1890, there was a wedding at Mrs. Maynard’s home, which was unique, to say the least of it. The few friends who had assembled to witness the ceremony, were astonished beyond expression, to see the bride and groom enter the room clad, not in the conventional bridal array, but simply wearing the grass skirts, shell bracelets and necklaces belonging to the native land of the groom. Mrs. Maynard felt that she could never get over the disgrace of such an unheard-of performance.

After the wedding, the happy pair, accompanied by Lucy and little Mae, left for the Eliza Judd. An hour later the Judd was towed clear of her wharf, and Mabel looked for the last time on the land of her birth. The departure was watched by a curious crowd of acquaintances, who all wondered if Mabel were not a little affected, mentally. Little did the departing voyagers care what was thought of them; they were content to know that they had chosen the better part.

The trip to Kaahlanai was uneventful. Day after day being passed in the same lazy manner, until one morning Captain Harris at the breakfast table, said: “We shall see Kaahlanai to-day and, if the wind keeps fair as it is now, we shall land there to-night.”

His words proved true. It was not long before they sighted the island. From that moment, until they landed in the evening, the excitement of the little party was intense. The ship had been seen by the inhabitants of the island, so that by the time they landed, there was an expectant crowd on the beach. Imagine the delight of the assembled throng, on beholding in the approaching boat, Ahleka, their beloved king, and Mabel, whom they loved almost as dearly. The meeting was touching in the extreme; there was feasting and merry making for days after their arrival. Mabel and Ahleka tried in vain to induce Captain Harris to remain for a few days with them, but he answered, “No. As you know I came considerably out of my way to bring you here, and now I must be on my way to Australia. I hope I shall never have to come into such a dangerous neighborhood again.” So, bidding them good-bye, he departed, leaving them happy and content, to be again united with their loved ones on this isle of the sea, and there we will leave them also.

THE END.