And fill the empty world for him. The sky

Paled at the thought. The dawn was stealing near,

Glimmering faintly on the edge of night.

He could delay no longer; like a thief

He must secure his jewel in the dark.

In the vast pause that presages the morn

He came to Taka's door. Ajar it stood,

And on the mats within he saw revealed

The pure young oval of her perfect face.

"Taka, my little one," Malua whispered,

And thro' her dreams "Malua" passed her lips,

Slipping insensibly to waking. So

She saw him at the door and came to him,

Her dewy dreams still warm within her eyes,

And gave her face to passionate caress.

53

Then with soft, broken words he told again

His love, and after when her heart was full

Of glad acceptance, as a flash of fire

Searing his image on her soul, he told

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