Kaiuolani

The signing of the bill had been deferred—not from want of decision, but as a matter of policy—until, having had a few days’ reflection, the public mind should adapt itself to government necessity. Liliuokolani understood well the force of diplomacy, and though capable of calling upon the militia to enforce executive authority would have healed with time the difference that had so unfortunately aroused social discontent.

Ah Mla regarded the delay with stoical indifference; indeed, felt so secure in his right that he had already paid into the treasury a first installment on subsidy, to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, and held himself ready to pay the remaining four hundred thousand upon the final enactment of the measure in which he alone was directly interested. Isaacs, father of the lottery scheme, grew less sanguine, and upon Norton’s unthought-of outburst hastened to her for an explanation.

“I don’t see that the business has cost you anything, as yet,” said the wily editress, in answer to his plea for mercy.

“It vill though, if you don’t let up a leetle,” replied he, wringing his hands and feigning abuse.

“How much?” queried Norton, promptly.

“Vell, I might make it a couble thousand,” ventured Isaacs, as a “feeler.”

“Humph! You certainly mistake me. I am no cheap guy. Make it an even hundred thousand and we can do business; if not, I shall do you,” threatened she, with calculating exactness.

“Have mercy, good lady! My gracious benefactress! I haf not so much!” begged he, in humble attitude.

“Where are the proceeds for the fake jewels you palmed off on Kalakaua? How about the strong box at Niihau?” asked Norton, with imperturbable calmness.

“Father Abraham!” gasped the surprised Israelite, grasping the significance of her last insinuation.

“Martha Norton, you mean!” snarled the merciless “grafter.”

There was no avoiding a deal with that woman; the pawnbroker’s cash was not only forthcoming, but its ancient hiding place discovered; thenceforth he became the slave that his avarice made him, and Martha Norton devised a ready use for his luckless contributions. The Ware Wizzard Wise, in the absence of a shiftless proprietor, suddenly turned its batteries upon Gutenborj (having already spent its force against Bender), relieving judiciously the insatiate Isaacs and holding up as a martyr the sorely coveted Young.

An anxious delegation of defeated women became, thus, hopelessly bewildered in their search for some potent factor round which to rally an organized movement, while the disposition of the Rifles remained a perfectly guarded secret; and as intended the ultimate purpose became solely a matter of conjecture, outside the immediate source of their apparent wantage.

The scurrilous attack of the press had the tendency to upset somewhat the comfortableness of the sugar king’s position, yet did not in the least alter his well-set plans. He had in conjunction with the colonel surmised the danger of a demoralizing influence that the Progressionists might reasonably be expected to set at work among that portion of the ranks. They were, mostly, a lot of raw recruits, tempted solely by the cash offered, and were drawn promiscuously from doubtful sources,—largely political rousters, discarded incompetents, deserting sailors, escaped convicts, and cheap adventurers,—without any ingrafted or determinate discipline, the whole of them always enshrouding the regiment’s dubious enlistment with an innuendo that connotated in the philosopher’s mind anything but a settled conviction. Gutenborj believed in law and order, and saw in the queen’s restoration his own security attain; he could not trust her defense alone to the caprice of a luckless lot whose personal requirements suggested a willingness to sell at any and all times to the highest or best bidder.

Young held his command in better esteem, and thought gallantry sufficient to hold together in any emergency the soldier boys whom he had learned to love, for their enthusiasm if not their stalwartness. He would have marched his men at the head of the constitutional procession and shown by valor rather than cleverness an honorable intention to uphold good government, even at the cost of personal sacrifice; but his benefactor’s maturer years influenced him and finally occasioned complete acquiescence. The Rifles had been dispatched somewhere upon some sort of mission, and out of the mystery enveloping that maneuver a cloud gathered and enlarged until the whole populace trembled with oncoming fear.

Gutenborj hastened to the queen with his assurances; public wrath had turned upon him, but he scorned to enlighten them; that his motives had been questioned he proposed to declare to her alone his fealty.

“Do you think the proposed measures vicious?” asked the queen, candidly, after having satisfied herself as to the listener’s faithfulness.

“I do not. It is an expedient compromise, in the interest of good government,” answered Gutenborj, with the stress of firm conviction.

“I regret the disaffection: I should like to obliterate all dissension,” replied Liliuokolani, in a voice that betrayed the heart underlying a fixed resolution.

“Your majesty’s humanitarianism well becomes her exalted province, but in the administration of justice it is not always possible to gratify factional requirements; the vast majority of your subjects coincide with the administration; property interests under your jurisdiction are almost a unit in their approval; what greater encouragement can serve a ruler?” queried he, logically and truthfully.

“Your friendly auspices strengthen me; I would do the greatest good to the largest number,” said the queen, thanking him for the kindly interest shown.

Upon returning to his place of business the now thoroughly denounced Royalist found public indignation gradually giving way to a decidedly heated speculation. All eyes had once more turned toward the queen: would she, in the face of respectable demonstration, sign the obnoxious bill? If so, there must be some sympathy between the removal of the Rifles and her majesty’s plans. The Patriots became enthusiastic with expectations; Royalists generally resigned themselves to the consolation of such a possibility; a straggling few malcontents and sympathizing missionaries still harped their disapproval or joined forces with the Progressionists in prophesying dire disaster. Indecision had dissipated the possibility of any concerted movement, and the one hope of everybody centered in the queen’s doing.

Bender alone chafed under restraint; the press had turned the tide of denunciation from him, but in so doing it had raised Young to greater public notice, attempting a justification of his act personally, whatever the motive might prove to be. The shrewd minister of finance understood full well the young colonel’s situation with reference to the army ruse, which he believed ill-advised and of its own accord, whatever the intention, a harmless failure, and to check Young’s suddenly growing popularity without exposing, and thus alienating the master hand, Gutenborj, he strove to urge a hasty conclusion of proceedings at court.

To this end he had been materially assisted by the hearty planter’s words of encouragement to the queen; no less had she been strengthened in her position by Aokahameha’s success in mustering additional troops among the Patriots; there seemed now to be no obstacle in the way of enacting the bill except failure arise within the ministry itself. From all sources came a constantly rising intelligence that the only real opposition to the throne centered round a few rabid Progressionists or weakly sympathizers, and that their apparent contention had resolved itself into more the condemnation of an unexplained incident than a determination to resist established authority. In this belief and with such assurances the queen gave final audience to Bender, their own highly commended spokesman.

“I have only one more request to make,” said she, after having exhaustively discussed the subject from the standpoint of the populace.

“Your majesty has but to command me,” replied he, with no appearance or thought of betrayal.

“Satisfy me that the ministry approves this measure,” continued Liliuokolani, in the face of earnest desire.

“I give you my word: they are for it to a man. You have only to call them to prove my assertion,” replied Bender, certain of his position.

“You know whereof you speak: I do not question your veracity; your honor is my only guaranty,” answered the queen, none the less positive that in self-abnegation rested her ultimate strength.

Liliuokolani bade the chief minister remain; whereupon, sending for him, the high chamberlain approached, and presenting the document, the queen, in a bold hand, attached her signature. Calmly laying aside the pen her majesty looked Bender in the face, saying, kindly:

“I have done my duty; it now remains only for you to do yours.”

With the signing of the bill the last doubt had been removed and the legality of the measures established beyond peradventure; no one questioned the authority, and everybody seemingly resigned himself to a foregone conclusion that the cabinet would be equally as prompt with endorsing the new constitution as had been the queen judicious in executing the act authorizing, among other things, its promulgation. Liliuokolani had even gone farther: she had listened with patience to sectional discord, and as well kept faith with those in whom she trusted. Though some may have harbored a bitter disappointment they no longer openly voiced their feelings; the vast majority of her subjects believed in a “square deal,” and with her majesty’s part faithfully done they all looked anxiously forward to the ministry’s unqualified and speedy acquiescence in the last act of restitution.

So confident was the queen of success that she sent for Kaiuolani and planned a meeting with Bender, in the afternoon, at the palace—not that she personally favored any friendly communication beneath the princess’s station, or that she aimed to flatter him, but that his real worth as shown by continued steadfastness apparently entitled him to some little appreciative and pleasing recognition.

The day shone bright,—as is usual in that climate at wintertide,—the flowers shed a pleasing fragrance, and the birds sang sweetly in the tree tops. All nature did her part to bless earth and point the way: only man’s ingratitude fanned the flame of ruthless discontent. Out of each crannied nook stole the self-same voice, speaking its never ending melody, only to vibrate faintly against the discordant notes of ambition’s deafening clamor. A nation lay close to the smoldering forge of human endeavor, and in the heat that welds the tempering iron Xane Bender mounted his best horse and rode confidently toward the goal of a far-fetched desire.

There, in the light of dawning reality, a new world burst into view; the fruit of timeless struggle revealed the secret of true accomplishment; he had not fairly won the right to indulge, and a stolen morsel seemed the more bitter for its taking. His eyes feasted upon the wholesome scene; then, by the force of resistless chance, the mind wandered afar to the source whence soul had sprung.

Outside, beneath the hard level of tried conscience, there arose a sickening wail: calling, begging, grovelling for that which they knew not; the spark of enlightenment lured them yet its warmth seemed a thing infinite. The queen held the key to salvation, marked the course of flight, made the need for refuge, inspired the will—should she survive? would truth bridge the chasm, shelter the fold, ordain the right? A few there were who had lost a bearing or crazed at the prospect; the drones, no longer useful, were cast out; but the living, active, faithful body politic followed their leader and shared her destiny.

All interest bordered upon a single thought—the promulgation of the constitution. The people, by their representatives assembled, had granted the privilege; her majesty’s sanction resolved the verdict; on the cabinet’s support rested her final prerogative—would the queen ultimately proclaim the law?

As yet, since the days of Lunalilo, no foreign government had brought its influence directly to bear upon the shaping of their national policy, and now that the queen proposed to exercise a test rite, all hastened in good faith, except one, to participate in the ceremony. Elmsford, through his own strenuous efforts, had been specially delegated as an honorary member of the British diplomatic representation, and in his exultation called immediately at the castle, particularly to impress Sir Charles with the importance of his station, and incidentally to meet and curry favor with his daughter, before others of greater moment had dared embrace the opportunity. Thus he chanced to be present when the request came for Kaiuolani to appear at court, and out of courtesy was asked to accompany her thither on horseback, as the princess chose.

Once at their destination the overzealous gentleman of leisure suffered a severe setback, and except for Ihoas might have gone away disgusted with himself and doubtful of the queen’s sanity. That her majesty could tolerate the presence of an unlettered man like Bender, much less throw a princess at his feet, was more than he could comprehend; politics formed no part of his moral, and surfeited as he was the shabby Englishman colored noticeably at the reception accorded him.

Liliuokolani gave her company the liberty to invoke its own proper agreement, and went about ordering the intended grand ceremony; she sincerely appreciated the big Britisher’s haughtily proffered assurances, and believed her niece quite capable of doing properly in the pacification of Bender’s awkward conceit.

Knowing her strength and divining Bender’s weakness Kaiuolani won an easy victory, while Ihoas labored hard to save the day; yet in the course of a short if studied conversation with the unsympathetic Elmsford she unconsciously elicited an inspiration that should presently save a positive, humiliating termination to a very unexpected and persuasive disaster. They were sitting at one side, in a cosy corner, when suddenly Ihoas, for want of a stronger incentive, said, adroitly:

“Americans are really interesting—don’t you think so, Mr. Elmsford?”

“They are a gigantic bore—at least all that it has been my misfortune to encounter,” growled he, roused to the pitch of resentment.

“They are truly persistent,” continued the princess, affecting a partial concurrence.

“They are tiresome, with the instinct of a swine: that is more his like,” replied Elmsford, hotly.

“And usually gets what he goes after,” ventured Ihoas, cautiously.

“He’ll get these islands, if somebody doesn’t crack his snout,” retorted he; continuing, “there is one spot, however, he’ll let alone: Diamond Head is safe from intrusion.”

“How so?” queried Ihoas, with rising interest.

“There is a flag there, and a pole from which to swing it: I rather think they’ll stop outside,” replied the dull Britisher, petulantly, the while his ponderous intellect vainly grappled the dawning possibility of a hated rival’s breaking down its historic barrier to reach forth into the world of empire.

Ihoas opened wide her eyes; she loved the big, hearty fellow with true complacency; she believed his lowly words inspired with the force of certainty—had she known better the trend of his nativity she might easily have won also his heart, but alas! the confiding princess shared only the conviction that enthralls, leaves man to lead and slash the way. She lingered on in the throes of vain reality conjuring the sweets of a dazzling expectancy, he resolving the scope of a colder, cruder inevitableness.

Kaiuolani and her company after a little sallied forth on horseback, and riding briskly against the stiffening breeze presented a timely contrast—she sitting on her horse in the grace and dignity of a native Hawaiian, he stooped and agile, disdaining the least attention, clung to his shaggy beast with the careless abandon of a frenzied cowboy.

In the city below, Floyd Young had received orders from Aokahameha to report at the armory; and taken unawares, the doubtful colonel, after a hasty consultation with Gutenborj, sprang into the saddle and hurried away in civilian’s clothes toward the place appointed.

No sooner than he had escaped the latter’s influence, however, his ardor cooled perceptibly, and without designing to falter in his purpose he began seriously to contemplate the rare possibilities before him. There could be no less a confidence on his part in the queen’s policies, but was her organization sufficient? and the discipline perfect? The farther the progress the less haste, and before reaching the armory he had changed his course, riding directly out the avenue leading past the palace to the seashore beyond.

Putting the spurs to his horse a growing inspiration quickened the dawning contemplation till suddenly coming upon Kaiuolani and Bender—riding abreast—his wit faltered, and wheeling in the saddle he fetched up motionless in the dumb brute’s tracks. In passing she had barely recognized him: sitting erect, the breeze freshening the glow in her cheeks, the haughty princess bowed stiffly and passed on without even a conscious glance.

Young urged his horse forward and ran for a short distance after them, but they did not heed his coming—only galloped away the faster; whereat mortification cruelly possessed him, and reigning in he suddenly changed his course and rode gloomily toward the palace.

That they were bordering upon a crisis the really conservative must concede, so Young—no less than the queen, realizing the danger of any serious misunderstanding, and, as well, feeling the necessity for harmonious action—decided upon the spur of the moment to consult a higher authority than the one who had issued the order that carried him thither, conjuring the while some huge, approaching blunder. Kaiuolani’s unseemly recognition disturbed him, and he quickly resolved not only to learn the cause of her treatment but to exact if possible its true relation to Aokahameha’s command. Liliuokolani received him with gracious candor, while her expressions of confidence shamed him out of an opportunity and the sacredness of his trust overawed a weak determination. With being politely informed that there was no change of purpose at court and that the ceremony would take place on the morrow at twelve o’clock, Young went his way, satisfied that the queen’s sincerity if not her position warranted a speedy promulgation of the constitution.