A ROYAL GIFT
Norman resumed his place in his father's home and began a systematic,
persistent, and enthusiastic campaign to raise the funds to purchase
the island of Ventura and establish the ideal Commonwealth of Man.
On the day of the big mass-meeting of Socialists, who had gathered
from every state of the Golden West, Elena found her guardian seated
alone on the broad veranda overlooking the Bay of San Francisco. A
look of deep trouble clouded his strong face.
"You are worried?" she said, seating herself by his side.
"Yes, dearie," was the moody answer.
"Over Norman's meeting?"
"Yes. The boy's set his heart on this big foolish enterprise. His
failure is a certainty. I don't know what may follow."
"You are sure he can't raise the money?"
"Absolutely. The disappointment will be a stunning blow to his pride."
"You know that if he did succeed in raising the money, and
establishing his brotherhood of man, the scheme would end in failure?"
"As clearly as I know I am living."
"Would you be sorry if the dream should be realized?"
"On the other hand, I'd shout for joy to find the human race capable
of such a miracle."
Elena gently touched his hand. "Then, Guardie, there's but one thing
to do," she said, with a deep, spiritual look in her blue eyes.
"What?"
"Give Norman a round million dollars to make the experiment."
The Colonel looked at her in amazement, and suddenly sprang to his
feet, pacing the floor with feverish steps. He stopped at last before
the girl and studied her.
"Don't let Norman know who gave the money," she continued. "It will be
a big, noble, beautiful thing to do--and--it will save him."
"What a wonderful woman you are, Elena!"
He paused and looked at her steadily. "I'm going to do it!"
* * * * *
When Norman returned at midnight from the mass-meeting his face was
flushed and his eyes sparkled.
"It's done, Governor! It's done!" he fairly shouted.
"You mean the half million was subscribed?" the Colonel asked.
"Yes, and more!" he went on, excitedly. "We have succeeded beyond my
wildest hopes. We had subscriptions for a hundred thousand. Fifty
thousand more was subscribed at the meeting by the delegates, and just
as we were about to adjourn Judge Clark, a famous lawyer, rose and
announced the gift of a round million to the cause by a group of
friends whose names he refused to make known."
"And what happened?" Elena asked.
"It's hard to tell exactly. The first thing I did was to jump over
three rows of seats, grab the lawyer, and yell like a maniac. We
carried him around the room, and shouted and screamed until we were
hoarse. The scene was indescribable. Strong men fell into each other's
arms and cried like children."
"And you could get no hint of the identity of the men who gave the
money?" Elena inquired.
"Not the slightest. The deed of gift was made to me through the lawyer
as trustee. I don't like one or two conditions, exactly, but it was no
time to haggle over details."
"What were the conditions?" Elena interrupted, with a glance at the
Colonel.
"That the title to the island of Ventura should be vested in me
personally for two years. And five hundred thousand dollars should
remain a fund in my hands as trustee to administer its income for the
same period. At the end of one year, or of two, I may transfer the
whole to the Brotherhood, or reconvey it to the original donors. I
think it gives too much power into one man's hands--but I'll hold it a
sacred trust."
The young enthusiast's face glowed with thrilling purpose, and his
eyes were shining with unshed tears, as he laid his hand on his
father's shoulder and exclaimed:
"Ah! Governor, you didn't have faith enough in your fellow man! You
said it couldn't be done!"
"I congratulate you, my son," the Colonel gravely said, "and I wish
for you the noblest success."
"There's no such word as fail." Norman cried. "No sleep for me
to-night! I return to the Socialist Club for a celebration. I just
came to tell you personally of our triumph. The deed is done, and the
Brotherhood of Man is a thrilling fact!"
With swift, joyous stride he threw himself into the hall and bounded
down the steps.
"Suppose after all, Guardie, he should succeed?" Elena exclaimed.
"They'll start with many things in their favour," the Colonel
responded. "The island of Ventura is said to be the most fertile and
beautiful spot of earth in the West. No adverse influences can reach
them from without. Five thousand men and women, inspired by a sublime
faith in themselves, may under such conditions surprise us. If
Socialism is possible on an island of a hundred thousand acres, it's
possible on a hundred thousand square miles, and its faith will
conquer the world. We'll give them two years before we visit them, and
see what happens."
"Suppose they do succeed!" Elena repeated, musingly.