Keawe arose and stood watching. His heart beat tumultuously. No other
woman had so strongly moved him, and now he would speak and not run again.
A movement startled her, and rising with the dripping pitcher in her hand,
she turned and saw him. That she knew him was instantly evident; but her
eyes modestly dropped and she moved as if to go. But he was in the path,
and seeing that, she hesitated and turned to go through the woods, but
could not and stood again, looking at her feet which just peeped from the
gown. Keawe stepped towards her and said, “Do you remember the shark?”
“Yes, I know you,” she replied. Her eyes said more and he saw it again. As
he stepped nearer she said. “Why did you not let me thank you? I thought
you might come.” It flashed through his mind that he wasted two months
pursuing an ignis fatuus, only to have nothing but bitterness at the end,
when it might have been——! “I was afraid to come,” he replied. “I wanted
to work for Hawaii and our people.” “Yes, I know,” she said. “You have
spoken bravely. All Kona trusts in your words!” “Did you believe them?”
he quickly asked. “Do you believe in me?” A look was her reply. “Will you
believe in me if I say that I am done with ‘Hawaii for the Hawaiians,’
under such leadership?” “I will always believe in you. But come, you are
tired. My father will be glad to meet you,” she said quickly. “May I
drink?” he said, and held out his hand. She gave him the pitcher, which he
held and looked at the pretty figure standing near the spring. “You are
Rebecca at the well.” “And are you Abraham’s servant?” “No, I am Isaac
himself,” he replied and tried to take her hand. “Oh! but Isaac did not
meet Rebecca at the well!” And, laughing merrily, she ran down the path
towards her home. He followed but though he wanted, the opportunity for
other words did not come; she was so very coy. But that was not the only
visit. Very often business calls took him along that lovely mountain road
and there was always a welcome at the home of Lilia. He told her of his
love, and in April they were married.
They built a little cottage which nestled snugly in a quiet valley on the
mountain side, and there they passed a few months of perfect happiness.
All loved them. He was regarded as the wise adviser and friend of the
country-side. She became the gentle sister of those who were ill, or
suffering or wayward, and their home was the center of an influence which
helped and lifted.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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