Page:Fairytales•Tregear•1891.pdf/84

that long ago the two hills at the head of the valley were united in marriage, and that these hills bore children called Manoa-wind and Manoa-rain. From these children, the Wind and Rain, sprang a maiden, the most surpassingly beautiful of all maidens. Her name was Kaha. For her house embowered in vines was built, and before the house were planted the sacred staves which denoted the presence of one of exalted rank. Light shone through the woven walls of her house from the brilliance of her eyes, and while she bathed a rosy halo encircled her; this glowing light being sometimes seen even now as a sign of her spiritual presence. When Kaha was an infant, she was betrothed to a young chief named Kauhi, and of this engagement she was constantly reminded by the gifts of her lover’s parents. Kauhi was, like the maiden, of semi-divine descent, and his betrothal to one so great made her regard all other lovers as beneath her notice. Among her suitors were two chiefs of humble birth and very unattractive appearance, but Kaha’s indifference and refusal to accept their advances caused them to plot revenge against her; so, decorating themselves with wreaths of flowers, they boasted that the hands of Kaha had placed the garlands round their necks as tokens of her favour.