With the passage of the bill, the old regime, of cat-hauling and
graft-taking, which had for so long a time disturbed their peace and
threatened dire disaster, bade fair to become a derelict. The thankless
greed of political tricksters and the benevolent craft of suckling
kings was in one short session wiped from the governmental chessboard.
The ancient constitution, the glory of the Kamehamehas, had been
reclaimed; and forthwith, in modernized form, Liliuokolani undertook
its promulgation.
The work laid before the legislature had been carried through swiftly
and according to agreement; Bender did as he had bargained to do; so
had the queen kept her word, to the letter: the new cabinet confirmed,
thereat,--upon the dismissal of the old one,--included Xane Bender,
Minister of Finance, and nobody there, excepting Varnam and his clique
of interlopers, at that time regretted the circumstance.
True the newly recognized leader had come into their midst, only a few
years theretofore, a stranger and without taking the pains to make
known his antecedents or the place whence he came. Old man Qualb, the
hermit cattle king, on the south side of Hawaii island, had taken
him in, at his coming, presumably a tramp, and given him employment.
Only a few years elapsed (during which time the transformed vagrant
faithfully attended his benefactor’s herds) till Bender, designing
and shrewd, seemed to have convinced the aged rancher of a blood
relationship,--that of a nephew in uncertain degree,--and had become,
by some secret influence, his sole legatee; whereupon the aged recluse
obscurely died, and the nervy young man suddenly possessed himself of
the uncounted herds and abundant treasure that roamed the slopes of
Mauna-Loa or lie hidden in the caves of Kileauea.
A bold stroke this seemed to some, good business to others; and,
perhaps, even Gutenborj may have inwardly preferred a man at the head
of a depleted national treasury who could do things. At all events no
protest was made against the new minister’s entering into the discharge
of his duties, and as to the past it might never have been known, or
concerned anybody, in a land where neighbors are loath to question
methods, had not fate followed him and in time laid bare the well
guarded secret.
The last of the Kalakaua cabinets, composed entirely of designing
foreigners, had been dismissed and in its stead the new one--a
compromise, perhaps, but beholden to the throne and subservient to the
laws--met in the great chamber of state and proceeded to the discharge
of its bounden duty. No question could arise as to leadership; Bender
stood over them as he did over the legislature; and public attention
now centered in the choice of a commander-in-chief of the army.
The foreign holders of property and rights had gained their possessions
and concessions largely through the instrumentality of the recently
defeated and now turbulent Progressionists, but with that their
interest ceased; they now looked to the queen for protection, and
while trusting her implicitly were doubtful about Bender.
In the creation of the Rifles, which grew out of the disturbances a
few years theretofore, his money and influence, more than that of any
other, enlisted and equipped the regiment. He had conceded Gutenborj
the right to name a leader, though his friendship for Young had never
been the best. That a fancied rivalry had grown up between them for the
hand of the princess, Bender’s once passive acknowledgment developed
into a deep-seated hatred. He would, therefore, humble his social
superior: by keeping his word, gain further the queen’s confidence;
through the medium of Aokahameha, tighten his grip upon the opposing
army division; and, consolidating the hitherto heterogeneous elements
of discord, lay the immediate foundation for ultimate supremacy.
Martha Norton alone knew, or could guess, reasonably, the outcome
of Bender’s independence. She it was who, in the hope of personal
aggrandisement, had played false her trust to further his schemes, and
now that he, in the flood-tide of enthusiasm, had been swept quite
beyond her reach, she realized for the first time the futility of a
one-sided intrigue. Her accomplice might succeed in wresting Kaiuolani
from Young’s grasp, but in so doing the latter’s prospects must be
effectively shattered. What cared she for any man’s hand without
success?
“He will pay me back in my own coin--but I can crush him, crush him
with a word!” she said, to herself, tramping angrily the floor, in her
bachelor apartments at the hotel. “No, I can’t do that; I must first
secure Young. I shall go this minute--there is no sane reason why a
woman should wait for a man to propose.”
Young and his employer were closeted in a convenient anteroom when
Norton arrived at the capitol building, fully prepared to press her
suit to but one conclusion. She knew full well her hero’s aspirations,
but believing him to be a man of sound judgment, as well as good taste,
could see no worthy prospect of a refusal, particularly under the
circumstances. She had been reared to take care of herself in the walk
for greatness, and at no distant past was still considered, by some,
not at all bad looking, in form if not of face. He need have no fear
of any social failure,--her presence at court had proven as much,--and
there she was, in person, ready and willing, to answer any reasonable
test as to her amiability.
As she entered, unannounced, Gutenborj arose and bidding her scant
recognition went into the adjoining chamber, in quest of Bender. He had
decided to have a last interview with the man who, he knew, most of
all, held their peace and security in hand.
“How fortunate!” said Norton, deliberately approaching Young, who sat
overwhelmed with concern. “I came over on purpose to have a talk with
you; and here we are, alone and at liberty; without the slightest
difficulty. May I sit with you for a moment?”
“Pardon me, Miss Norton, for the incivility. Shall I place you a chair,
here, at the table?”
“Let us sit on the couch, by the window. The morning air is refreshing,
and I am so heated. What I want to say is confidential: I should rather
have you close at hand.”
“Very well. If you like, I will close the door.”
“Please do. You can trust me--being within calling distance.”
They remained in the open, where the bay breeze floated in, cooling
their cheeks, as they edged sidewise, facing each other, underneath
the window. Those solid walls had listened to intrigue, wrangle,
statesmen’s harangue, society’s welcome, the joy of triumph or, even,
the fear of death; but never before had they witnessed, scarcely, the
ponderous business of simple love-making. The door, however, stood
securely closed before them, and no restraint marred a speedy beginning.
“Mr. Young,” said Norton, directly they had settled, “my mission
may surprise you, but the advantage to be reaped I know you will
understand. There is a movement on foot to displace you. I need not
mention the consequences, inevitably an augury to us all. Would you
save disaster before it is too late?”
Young looked his questioner squarely in the face. Her eyes shone
with the force of conviction, but underlying the frank expression
there seemed to lurk a hidden meaning. He pondered. She abided the
working-out of his conscience.
Presently the satisfied officer again raised his eyes and said kindly
but knowingly:
“Yes; if the act be not inconsistent with my rights or duty as a man
and a citizen.”
The blood rushed to Norton’s face, and before she could utter the
cherished words Bender swung open the door and stamped angrily into
their presence. The two arose, standing expectantly by; then, answering
his heated questioning, with a civility begot more of understanding
than complacency, departed from the room, quite undaunted if, perhaps,
somewhat undetermined.
On the steps in front they encountered Gutenborj, who counselled them
be cautious; whereupon Norton sprang into her carriage and drove
rapidly toward the palace, while Young and his confidant walked
prudently away, in close consultation, to their place of business, not
far distant in the city.
Inside the chamber all had settled down to the studied routine of
executing, religiously and unqualifiedly, what the wily minister
of finance now rigidly imposed. The interview by Gutenborj and
after-encounter with Young and Norton stimulated in him a desire
to hurry through with the cabinet proceedings as expeditiously
as possible, and before the midday recess was taken Aokahameha’s
appointment to the chief command of the army had been ratified and
confirmed.
When the last resistance had been brushed aside and the final
agreement announced, the old halls rang with enthusiastic praise,
and far out into the city the news spread as if swept thither in
a speeding whirlwind. Even Wagner P. Onslow, Minister of Foreign
Affairs,--an avowed Varnumite, appointed to conciliate in a measure
the Progressionists,--vowed that there was not another in the whole of
Hawaii who could so command the respect of both natives and foreigners
as Aokahameha, and that under his guidance the army should become, at
last, the true conservator of peace and real guarantor of law and order.
At the palace, Kaiuolani peevishly unfolded her childish plea and
uncertain desires to her gracious majesty, who diligently answered with
loving caresses and easily escaped anything resembling a positive
denial. Martha Norton was there, hiding on the outside; an opportunity
was all she craved. Thus--a courier dashed up; the coveted word had at
last arrived, and Liliuokolani’s countenance beamed with satisfaction;
his manner revealed the truth, and Kaiuolani threw her arms around the
queen’s neck, breathing a deep-drawn sigh.
“Do you love me aunty?” asked she, her eyes reflecting tenderly the
burden of a great compassion.
“Yes, darling; your happiness embodies the content of my highest
ambition. I wish that God had so symbolized your deepest inspiration.”
Kaiuolani’s bright eyes shone with a love that gathered and flashed
a depth deeper than the reach of man, yet the mind faltered and
wavered in the balance of duty. She would have clung to the God soul,
had not the tempter of morality bade vulgar defiance. She must yet
find strength to resolve the inevitable, and as they sat in soothing
embrace--the mother queen and child daughter--an unexplained but potent
determiner rose before them to snatch from truth its certain victory.
Aokahameha, with braided vestments and uniformed poise, had softly
entered and silently stood, biding the command that fate decrees.
Arising as if conscious of a thing mysteriously compelling, the
princess flew thither as a moth to its doom. Admiration overcame
inclination, and addressing him in his new role she said, buoyantly:
“Aokahameha!”
The proud man extended both hands for answer, and as they stood the
queen admonished him:
“It ill becomes me to congratulate you, Aokahameha; I have imposed a
burden that no other could have assumed with such grace and devotion.
You honor me and serve your country, in accepting this responsibility:
may God be your guide, and I worthy your confidence. Your own volition
is the sole guarantor of our liberty. I have no other command. The
Queen, Liliuokolani.”
“Words of mine would be an unfitting answer; I shall endeavor in act
to merit your esteem, and with pleasure go forthwith to my command,”
replied he, with renewed determination.
“Can’t I go with you? I should love to visit the armory, and the ride
alongside ‘Tie’ (his war horse) would be just delightful. ‘Ipo’ (her
riding horse) is at my service--can’t I Aoka?” asked the princess, with
tempting voice.
“If you choose to ride thus, I shall certainly enjoy the treat. Have
you the queen’s permission?” inquired he, in courtesy.
“Yes,” volunteered the good queen, anticipating Kaiuolani’s request;
“and I can’t resist saying that another such pair never rode the
streets of Hawaii.”
“We shall try not to forfeit your majesty’s most gracious opinion,”
answered Aokahameha, pleasantly.
They galloped along to the merry clatter of ringing steel, flitting the
long shadows that fell glimmering in the roadway. A husky guard saluted
as they passed the gate and plunged on, down the broad avenue, inspired
by the cool breath of approaching twilight and livened with the glow of
happy thought. Heads were bared and chance flowers strewn as they went;
no feeling of disloyalty entered the hearts of those who had learned
to respect their superiors in the fullness of content.
Slowing down at the big bend, sweeping round to the parade grounds,
a squad of native soldiers, maneuvering in the distance, possessed
Kaiuolani with new impulse; whereupon, turning suddenly to Aokahameha,
she, half doubtfully, half in confidence, said:
“Will Colonel Young never again wear--his uniform--and sword--and
ride--in front of the Rifles?”
“Oh yes, he may,” replied the newly made general, divining her concern;
“he shall retain his rank: the only change shall be an added piece of
braid or an extra plume for, possibly, myself. Some one must lead the
Rifles, and I could scarcely choose another to fill his place--may find
it difficult, even, to select one of equal merit to serve the Guards.”
“I am glad,” answered the princess, as they came closer and a sentinel
back-stepped to salute.
They rode on, round to the front, where two guards seized the reins and
Aokahameha, springing to the ground, assisted Kaiuolani to dismount.
A deathly stillness pervaded. Some strange, ominous something seemed
to possess the place and drive cold the blood in Aokahameha’s veins.
Kaiuolani held fast to his arm, and walking in at the door they found
the building empty; the Rifles had gone!