The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-05-24

the Andrew fleet. Captain Ellis had eX-
hanged a few words with Captain Brani-
gan, but as q heavy gale was blowing the
two vessels had not attempted TO heaye TO.
but had contented themselves with rum
ming close enough to each other to exchange
Were all we'll" cried Captain John.
through his speaking-trumpet. The mo-
meDt you reach San Diego give my love to
my dear Dolly"
This was on the morning of March %. at
twenty-five minutes after II. and it was the
commanded by John Branigsn.
When Jane came rushing into Doliy,s
presence with the good news of the Bound
ary's arrival and Captain Elliss message
for her, Dolly at once began to make her
preparations to pay a visit to Captain Ellis
in order to hear from his lips the account
of his falling in with the Franklin. He
had seen Branigan. had heard his voice,
and il would be like another and last adieu
from the man she loved so devotedly.
In order TO reach the wharf where the
Boundary was lying 1t was necessary To
cross the bay of San Diego In q steam
launch. 1t required about q quarter of an
were soon on their way to the wharf. ac-
companied by little Wat n his nurse.
The interview with Captain Ellis was
most comforting to Dolly. He was obliged
to repeat the story of the meeting over and
over again, which he I'D most good-na-
turedly.
On the trip back to the city, while Dolly,
with little Wat in her arms, stood leaning
against the low rail on the deck of the
steam-lsunch, that unsteady craft, in obe-
dience to q sudden putting of its helm
~hardaport. in order To avoid colliding with
a vessel crossing its bow, gave a sudden
and Violent lurch. Dolly was hurled into
the water. Her skirts buoyed her up for
q moment and she chung. but not without q
visible effort, TO the babe folded OIL her
bosom.
just as one of the deckhands came within
arms length of her. mother and child went
under. When she rose to the surface little
Wat was gone The unconscious Dolly was
tenderly lifted upon the deck of the steam
launch, while some of the best swimmers
dived repeatedly IN search of the babe.
But all in vain- The strong current had
caught and carried its little body far out of
reach.
When Dolly came 20 herself and the
realization Of the awful calamity broke full
and fair upon the wretched woman, her
mind gave way; not a glimmer of reason
looked from her large dark eyes.
Another life nearer old Starters mill
ions.v muttered Len Burker. when he was
told of little Watts death.
As Dolly's mania was not characterized
by any tendency to violence. Captain
Johns employers resolved that they would
not. for the present at least. transfer her To
an ASYLUM. BY and with the advice and
consent of the shipping merchant. Len Bur-
ker was appointed the guardian or Dolly's
person and estate, and he and his wife took
up their abode in Captain Branigan's home.
This done. the firm telegTaphed at once to
Captain John. IN care of its c~onsIgnees,
both at Singapore and Calcutta, TO turnth
command of the Franklin over TO the Sec
ond officer and return ct once to San Diego.
Three, six and nine months went by, and
still there came no tidings of the missing
ship, now given up for lost by those who
had been hoping against hope.
Meanwhile. under the administration of
Len Burker, Captain Johns slender savings
and Doliy's little fortune had melted slow
ly away-thrown into the hopper of Burk-
ers rash speculations and unlawful
schemes
The second. the third, the fourth year
since the gallant shin Franklin and it's gal
liant captain Branigan had sailed away
from the fair port of san Diego was draw
ing 10 . close. Measures had long ago been
taken to provide for the destitute families
OF the men who had gone down with her in
some merciless gale, for such. in the opinion
of everyone. had been the fate OF the beam
tiful clipper ship.
Len Burker grew weary of waiting for
Dolly's old uncle TO die. and, partly with
an idea to learn from personal examination
ia what way be might hasten a consumma-
ton 80 d~evoutly wished by him, and partly
on account Of the threats OF arrest for fraud
made against him. he disappeared az this
time, and Mr.. Andrew assumed the care