University of San Francisco - USF Don Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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28 THU I(i.XA TLIX sounded, and set the heart of John Strong beating with increased vigor. His mission, his island home, his business,—all were forgotten. He had fallen in love. When we find him, after three years of sipping knowledge from the American font, he is seated on a large divan before a comfortable open fireplace, and beside him is Miss Mildred Worth. Her mass of sunbeam hair is tucked down over her ears, and her big blue eyes are fairly sparkling with vivacity. For some time they sat in silence, while Strong gazed intently at the flames as they flickered to and fro. Finally he spoke. “For three years I have rushed madly on, working, studying, learning more every day of your world and of its customs, thinking of nothing except the salvation of my people. If there were girls around me, I failed to notice their presence. Rut from the first moment I met you everything has been different. Since then, I have been able to think of only one thing. Fate has drawn me across the waters to your side, and fate has put this consuming desire for you into my heart. I dare not drive it out; 1 could not even if I would.” “It isn’t because T do not love you that T hesitate to promise to marry you.” she replied, “but because I realize that you are not free. You owe a debt to your people that must be paid. IIow could I marry you, knowing that by so doing I was keeping you from them? If you will promise to leave at once for your island home, I will agree to marry you on your return.” She paused and waited for his answer. “Rut.” he interrupted, “what will become of my business interests? I cannot leave them uncared for.” “I will take care of them. Gordon Phillips is as clever a young fellow as you would want to represent you, and he will do anything that I request.”

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A SON OF TWO WORLDS 27 we have endeavored to serve as best we knew how, but we may not have chosen a way that is pleasing in the eyes of our great father. My advice, then, good people, is that we send one of our tribe out into the world to learn how other men are living. This will take time, but in the meanwhile our good intention should protect us from the wrath of the almighty.’ He bowed graciously toward the king, and turning, walked slowly back to where he had been seated. “It shall be done,” declared the king. “Hut which one of us shall be sent on this most important mission? Whom shall I choose to be the envoy of my people?” “Lalatea!” “Send Lalatea!” “Send Lalatea. the young prince!” “Let the young prince go and learn the ways of the great world.” •f To be snatched out of the simple life of an island ol the mid-Pacific, and thrust into the midst of the confusion and turmoil of an American city was the lot of the unconventional Hawaiian youth, Lalatea. It he had been swept helplessly along by the swift current ot American every day life and activity, and finally lost forever in the dark pool of failure, no one could have said that the unexpected had happened. Hut instead, after three years of ceaseless study and toil, we find him in the city of Chicago in the person of John Strong, a young business man of keen perception and winning personality. Ever mindful of his mission, he had lost no opportunity to acquaint himself with the characteristics of the American. Tie had labored as men are seldom seen to labor, and in return he had had the satisfaction of reaping a golden harvest, lie had met with unprecedented success in the business world, and with success had come a deep regard for American business systems and American business men. In the midst of all this mastering of new world ideas, someone struck a chord that resounded and re-

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A SON OF TWO WORLDS 29 “Mildred, he whispered, “there is one thing that money cannot buy. It is as priceless as the stars of the heavens. We all strive to obtain it, and I will promise to return to my people if you will be mine when I return. Then followed days of happy planning, days in which he realized as he never had before the joy of living. Mildred arranged a meeting with Gordon Phillips, the outcome of which was that the latter was given full charge of his business interests. All too soon came the day of his departure, lie had made Phillips promise to entertain Mildred in his absence, but the thought of his own loneliness depressed him. “I have a wonderful message for mv people. he said to her as they waited for the train to pull out. “America and the American life are wonderful. They must not cut themselves off from the outside world. Since I have been here. I have realized that every one has a definite, active part to play in the great scheme of life, that there is no room for idle onlookers. The bell rang, and with a fervent promise to return as soon as possible, he left her. San Francisco and the end of the first lap of his journey found him still more depressed. Hoping that the fresh sea breeze would revive his spirits, he took a trip to the beach. As he stood on the esplanade, gazing out at the white-capped billows rushing fiercely in and breaking harmlessly on the glistening sand, he felt even more the desire to abandon his trip and return to Chicago. It was as if some powerful magnetic force was exerting an influence over him, drawing him back to the girl of his dreams. “Why should I leave happiness behind me, he reflected. “when this mission was thrust upon me? A picture of his island home drifted before him. There was his father, waiting nervously for his return. Then suddenly this vision faded away. He turned, and walked toward