The morning call., 1891-07-05
CHATTER V-CoxrINrED.

cUect produced at San Diego by THIS double
catastrophe-the drowning of little Walt,
the insanity of the captains wife. The
reader already knows of the deep sympathy
fell for the Allaire family by the residents
Of the city, and of the lively interest which
they took in the welfare of the Young cap
tain. Although scarcely a fortnight since
he had sailed, terrible calamity had
robbed him of his infant son and his wife of
her reason. Upon his return he would
search his forlorn home in vain for little
Wallis smiling face. and there would be no
wife to welcome him ioyfully aud tenderly
Molly would not even know that it was he.
And as the Dreadnaught re-entered the
harbor no cheer would go up, she would be
received in dead silence.
But it would not dc to wait the return Of
John Allaire before telling him of the dread
misfortune which had oyertaken him. Mr..
HOLSTER could not for a moment think of
leaving the young captain in ignorance of
what had happened at the risk Of his coming
a. cdentally upon some fact or circumstance
which might make known the terrible truth
10 him The only course for the merchant
to pursue was 10 send dispatch to his cor
respondent at Singapore. In this way Cap
tain John would be informed of the awful
calamity before his arrival IN the Indies.
And yet Andrew Hollister desired to delay
the sending Of this dispatch for a brief
period. Possibly Molly's reason was not
lrFeyocably lost Who could say that the
tender care lavished upon her might not re-
store her shattered intellect? Why strike
John double blow by informing him OF the
death OF his child and the insanity of his
wife if this insanity was not to be of long
continuance?
After a consultation with Lew and Kate
Barker MI. HOLSTER resolved 10 delay ac-
ton until the physicians should make
definite statement IN regard 10 MOlly's NELL
tai condition. In all cases Of sudden loss of
reason there is more hope of a cure than
when the mental alienation is due To
gradual unfxing Of the mind. Hence de-
lay Of several days, possibly several weeks,
was determined upon.
The first definite report of the physicians
was to The effect that Molly insanity would
he likely to take the form of a mild and
gentle melancholy Every remembrance of
her terrible misfortune had faded from her
mind. Her eyes were fearless, her gaze
duh ana lIstleSs. She seemed TO see nothing
70 hear nothing. She was no longer of this
world. Her life was mere physical exist
ence.
Such was the condition Of Mrs Allaire
during the first month following the acei-
cent. The question now arose whether it
was eXpedient to place her in a private hos
lltal where she couli have special treat
meDt. Mr.. HOLSTER tOJk this view of tie
matter and ii would have been done had not
Lew Barker interviewed with another prop
oslton.
Seeking out Mr.. HOLSTER in his private
Office, Lew Barker thus addressed him. at
seems TO I've agreed now that Molly's in
sanity IS not of dangerous character, call
Ing Tor her confinement, and since she has
10 other family excepting Us, we ask that
she be coHfiied TO our care. Molly was de-
yotrdly attached to my wife, and who
knows, possibly Hates supervision of her
nay be productive of better results than
That of total strangers Should any symp-
toms Of "a critical nature show themselves it
would be time enough then to rake any
NECESSARY steps. Don't you think SO, Mr..
u0llister2"
There was a certain hesitation in the man.
ney OF the honest skipper as he made reply.
for there existed bat little sympathy between
lin ami Lew Barker, although he knew
nothing az this time Of the mans entangled
fairs and had no ground TO suspect his
honesty.
Since you are willing to assume this re-
sponslbiily," replied Mr. HOLSTER, Il don't
see any objection, Mr.. Barker, to Molly's
lEping iHtrusted to the care of her cousin,
whose devotion cannot for moment be
called into question
"A devotion" added Lew Barker, (which
will never be found wanting"
But the man uttered these words the
listener caught that cOld, unpleasant, matter
O!-faCt impression which Barker found it
impossible TO rid himself of.
:"1Our proposition does YOU credit" re-
sumed Mr.. Hollister. However, one thing
OCCURS to me. | question whether your
n4u>t III i it6b street., situated as II Is In the
center OF tie noisy commercial quarter,
would present conditions favorable for poor
Moily's recovery. What she needs is per
feet quiet, pure air
And therefore," interrupted Barker
''our intention is TO remove her to Prospect
Cottage and take mp our residence with her.
She Is accustomed TO this villa and the sight
OF objects familiar TO her may exercise
sanitary influence upon her mind. Mr..
HOLSTER, we must leave uudOne nothing
that might in any way tend to have whole
some effect upon the mind of our unfortu-
nate relative"
a kindly feeling had evidently prompted
this reply. But why was it that the words
Of this man seemed pOwerless to inspire
confidence. However. this proposition I'M
der the circumst iuces called for immediate
acceptance, and Mr.. HOLSTER could not do
less than express his thanks 10 Barker ado
ing that John would be profoundly grateful
10 him.
On April 9th Mrs. Allaire was removed
to Prospect Cottage, where Kate and Lew
Barker took up their residence that same
day, which action on their part called forth
general approval
1t Is easy to guess what motive was ac-
tuating Lew Barker. The fact should not
be lost sight of that on the very day Of the
disaster he had intended to confer with
Molly concerning certain bushes matter,
which was nothing more or less than a
proposition for her to loan him certain sum
OF money. But since then the situation had
changed completely. 1t was more than
IAAci1 Ahdt IdlhSI hOulu III MS capacity as
guardian OF the person and estate of his
relative have full control OF her property,
and in that case he would be able to provide
himself with funds-illegally, it is true, but
1t would enable him to gain time. Kate had
already had presentiment that such would
be his course, and while she rejoiced at be-
ing able 20 devote herself wholly to her
cousin, she trembled at thought of the pro-
Jects which her husband, under cover of
Denevolence and humanity, would attempt
ito carry out
Such were the conditions under which a
new existence now began at Prospect Cot
tage. From now on, Lew Barker resumed
his customary business habits, going down
10 his office every morning and applying
himself 10 schemes in hand, but close OBJ
s.ryer might have noted that he never
failed TO return to Prospect Cottage for the
evening, and that ii was not long before his
absence from the city became rarer and
rarer and briefer ana briefer.
Ii need hardly be added that Nannv the
mulaLtress, had followed her master to his
new home. where she was destined to be-
come what she had been everywhere and at
devotion he could depend in the most abso-
Lutte sense OF the word. Little Waits nurse
had been discharged, although she had of
fered to devote herself to the care of Mrs.
Allaire. The other servant was provision
ally retained at the cottage, for Nanny
would have found il quite out of the ques-
ton TO DO all the work of the household.
Lew Barker no doubt had in mind the
fact that all those who were interested in
Mrs. Allaire's condition would consider 1t a
most fortunate thing that she should be in
her cousins care. Mr.. Andrew Holli ter
himself was forced to acknowledge that she
could not be in better hands Whenever he
called he was careful to note whether there
was any tendency to Improvement, for he
still INDUCED the hope that he might not be
called upon TO announce to Cal tain John
10y cable to Singapore or to Calcutta the
double misfortune, the death of his child
and of-for was she not dead, too. And
yet five weeks had now gone by and there
had not flashed single glimmer of intelli-
genee through that mentaI gloom. In the