CHAPTER XLIV.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2033, 18 July 1885, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XLIV.

No man worked like Ebby that forenoon. He had tho fortune to be able to obtain several mtn who had assisted him before, and wif,h their help he at last succeeded in getting the ba.loon uflatod. The difficulties ne encountered woic endless. But when we are workiug for life, fot liberty, there ia no such thing as difficulty. There was one eventuality that terrified him. If the accent was made in a atorra, such as had burst over the island the previous night, destruction was certain. All that ha had ever hoped lor when we worked out the desperate idea w»3 an ascent above the height of the cliffs, and being wafted bj a breeze on to the ocean. He could then let out the gas gradually and descend, when the voyagers would trust themselves upon the Pacific, to be picked up by a passing vessel, or to find their way to Callao or San Francisco. While engaged in his task, how eagerly he scanned the sky tLat had so rapidly clouded up since tho morniDg. The sickly greenish grey light, the weird clouds, made him feel a dread and despondency that he had never experienced. But there waa no other resource. Certain death awaited them here ; a possible death in the heavens. The last was at all events preferable ; it would be short and painless; the other would be awful. Theie was a chance, and they must accept it. All the morning earthquake followed earthquake, some of the shocks being of such violence that the men staggered and the workshops rocked. It appeared to Ebby that drath was everywhere. He asked himself whether the island, which must exist on a frail foundation, could stand these repeated and violent shocks. As for the natives, they worked with a will, for they thought all tbefe phenomena manifestations of tho wrath of their gods ; that they would caase the moment the strangers departed. At last the task waa completed — one of the most wonderful ever accomplished under such circumstances. Ebby waa not without misRivings, careful has had been his experiments. Would tho material which contained the gas hold until the balloon had reached the requieite height, even if there was not a storm? Would faith ba kept ? Not but that h9 provided against contingencies in this latter regard. He had secured the vessel by a rope, one blow on which would give the adventureis freedom. Ho had not long completed his task when strains of music, playing the wild warning murch that had now become too familiar to his ear, told him the procession was approaching. Boon the strains cea°ed, and, owing to tho peculiarity of tho landing place, the procession appeared almost without notice. Henry Allen and tho ancients led. Behind them came the captives. Orinora and her father were first ; Herbert and Harry followed, euirounded by the natives. Paranoa and Ebby started forward to meet the captives as Allan and the cmefs drew aside, ominously whispering among themselves. Ebby could not understand the great chauge that had taken place. Orinora was no more sad or despondent ; she did not shudder, nor was there a trace of a struggle in her face. It was bright and joyous as he bad seen it on that memorable day whea the lovely vision met their ejas when they sighted the Happy Isle. But it was not tho same vision. That was of * child ; very, very beautiful, but with all the attributes of girlhood. Thitvt&s a vision of an angel ; a spirit that had through suffering and sorrow become purified aud ready to enter upon eternal rest. While Ebby lived those beautiful unfathomable eyes — eyes not of this world — haunted him. John Morden, too, was changed. His form was proud and erect ; hia face had not a trace of tbn many agonies that had passed over it in tho terrible night and morning. There waa a light in his eyes hko that in hie daughter's, but not so glorious, so heavenly. Herbert alone appeared utterly depressed, as if he weie going to death, not to life and liberty. A strange, puzzled look was upon Harry's usually cold sarcaHtio face : it seemed absolutely to havo something of sufftring and love and abnegation in it. Paianoa advanced, tho strongest love in his handsome face and eyes, mingled with a dread of tho new aspect of the one he loved. He held out his hands. She took them. " I have done as I promised," he said, in a faltering voice, unable to look ints those wonderful eyes. " Poor Parauoa," aho said, " poor Paranoa ; may the Gteat Power reward you." " I want not this reward," skid the youth; " you aro my reward." 11 One favor more I have to ask," she said, in a voioe that made his heart thrill *as if it

.v\^ u inr",' i n't V: tin 1 i>vO|) f , its c'ioicU, ' une lant favor ? " ' It shall bo erjintod, no matter w hat it is, 'm long i.B it does not break the compact." "Nj; it will not," she answered. "I want to bid them good bye. Will you let him Kins mi— for the last time " The dark face grew livid wfth the,' blood that iushe'l into it : he hesitated. "Yip," hs 'said at lant, "I will; but it is vtry hard. Lot the parting bo soon over." " It will not bp long," she said ; and there wa-3 a tone in her voice he did not understand. " Come," said the Btern voice of Henry Allar, "it is time this soene was over. The •socm.* you leave the island, the greater will ba our safety. Already the gods manifest their inger." "F'lthir," said Orinora, taking John Morden awle, " will you remain ? Why not leave with him who ia to he your son ? You know what will become of me." "tiiy no more, daughter," said John Morden; " life is over for me. I can die, too. Bid them good-bye. The night draws on ; it is time we were at rest." She looked into his eyes with a glance that utnieutood all. Already these two had lighted ,ne shore, and the light of the sun that never sets was in their eyea. 11 Take your plaueß," said Henry Allan. The vessel was in such a pobition tuat its buln-arks reached only to the breasts of those who stood on the higher ground. Above hovered the balloon, a globo that appeared rop.dy to spring for life the moment the rope that held the yacht to the ground was SGveicd. "Why do you not enter?" asked Henry Allan of John Morden. " Because 1 remain hero," was the stern, proud reply. " Where my daughter is, theie I remain." Allan and the chiefs exchanged glances. There was no need for their plot now. Ebby btood, axe in hand, ready to give the blow that left tho island for ever behind. Heibert stood at the bulwarks. Orinora parsed him. " (Tood-bje, Ebby," she said, taking the youug man's hand; "you will have t tie reward of the trud and the good." " Good-bye, Orinora ! " He could cay no more. He turned away that h« might not loss the command so necessary at that moment, when id was needful to watch every movement of the foe. There would be a time for tears hereafter 1 "Good-bye, Harry. Ba a good man; dapart irora the evil there is in your face and heart. Beware of the spirits of the Dark, ness!" He did not answer, he could not ; for once the tears clouded hi 3 eyea, and his heart melted. She came to Herbert, whose heart was breaking with emotion ; who was almost inclined at the laat moment to break his promise and to remain and brave death. There was not a tear in her eye ; not t» trace ot sorrow on tue lovely face ; not a quiver in the pale lips. Yet no one saw that her hand was clenched.that as she atood before Herbert she piased it quickly to her lip*. " Best, beloved, heart of my heart," she said olasping her acms around him, " good-bye in this world, in this life. But I will ever be with you, for you know as you taught me i» the happy hours we passed together : " It is a beautiful belief That ever round our head Are hovering on angel vtiugs The spirits of the dead." Tell her of all ; tell her that I loved her so dearly ; tell her I will watch over jou. Ah I " The clouds had parted ; the veil wa3 rent ; the greemsn grey light vanished ; the pure white light of the sun changed in a, moment nature from the semblance of tho fates of the place of death to the world of life and beauty. " It has come," she cried ; " the light and the glory and the happiness of Achernar — " And a voice I hear' From that glorious sphere Calling " Honw, home to me ! " "Father 1" She fell back into Jehn Morden's armi, detd 1 Ho fell with her, for a terrible earthquake shook the island to its foundation. " Dead 1 " shrieked Paranoa. ",Treachery, treaohery, blood 1 " And seizing a gun he aimed at Herbert, while Henry Allan shot John Morden dead. He had his revenge 1 But Ebby was too quick. The axe fell, and Paranoa fired into the empty air 1