Then all is silent in a holy hush of expectancy. My whole being seems changed by the strange power of this hour of calm repose. Night! how divine is thy beauty beneath these southern skies. But we seldom have positive night; every time we say what a beautiful night we speak of a rift in the night through which comes to us more or less light. Many a night is but a low, starry day, a softened background against which shines the far-off suns of millions of other days. The world lies in a deep silence, and on fairy-like wings of sombre hue comes sleep to drug the world into happy repose.”
“Why, Mabel, I had no idea you were so poetical. Where did you get all your romantic ideas? I feel what you say, but could not give utterance to it as you do.”
“Well, my dear, there was a time when I would have shrunk from giving voice to the deep, true feelings of my heart, because I felt they would have been ridiculed. But here, among this people, I find that the best and most beautiful of their thoughts are freely given expression to, and the study of nature awakens the heart to beauty, truth and love.”
The two girls were still talking in this strain when a bevy of joyous, singing maidens broke in upon them with the request that they should join in a swimming contest. Gladly assenting to the proposal, the two girls joined their darker friends and soon all might be seen disporting themselves gaily in the water.
CHAPTER XIV.
The village of Nahua is again decked for the yearly festival of the maidens, but as yet no sounds of gaiety are heard; but if we bend our steps toward the shining beach we shall find it a scene for a painter. Beautiful children lie on the sand, or in childish play half bury themselves, heaping the bright sand high on their little bodies. Older children search for shells or bits of delicate coral. Young men and maidens may be seen in the water, some going far out to the reef on surf boards. Among these latter are Ahleka and Mabel, Ahleka guiding with skill the lightly floating board, while Mabel lies almost her full length upon it. It is not by any means the first time since her residence on the island of Kaahlanai that she has been surf riding, a pastime of which she is very fond, enjoying the excitement of it as keenly as any native girl.
“See!” she cried at length, to Ahleka, “every one has gone up to the village but ourselves. Shall we not go back?”
“Yes we will go back,” came the reply, “but only to the beach, not to the village.” He had noticed before she spoke, that the happy throng had left the beach while they were enjoying their ride, but had said nothing as he was glad to be alone with her. They were swiftly carried in shore on the crest of a rolling breaker which soon landed them on the beach.
As Ahleka stopped to draw in the surf board, Mabel started up to the beach in the direction of the village, but Ahleka called after her: “Mabel, will you not stay and walk in the sun until your hair is once more dry, and like the rays of the morning sun for brightness?” She returned, her damp hair clinging about her shoulders and bosom. They paced slowly up and down the silvery sand, and continued to do so long after her skirts of sea grass, and her hair were dry; but it was so pleasant to walk there in the fresh balmy morning air. Ahleka looked down at the little figure beside him, his eyes filled with the tenderest love. Mabel, glancing up, encountered his impassioned gaze, “Ahleka, my Ahleka,” she softly murmured, hardly knowing what she said.
In an instant, as his ear detected the tenderness in her voice, he caught her in his arms, holding her so closely as actually to hurt her.