Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-09

| child. 1t seemed as if the awful sufferings
to which he had been exposed had 50 weak
ened his mind as to destroy all recollection
of companions.
! Seated BY his bedside, with her gaze riv.
! eted upon his face, Mrs. Allaire watched
every movement of his eyelids, listened to
| every faint murnur of his voice in hopes TO
catch one single word. Standing behind
| her was Zach French intent upon noting
some glimmer of intelligence, as a sailor
watches for the first raw of light through the
lowering gloom Of the horizon. But no
Eglimmer came that day. The lids of Shell
tons eyes were not lifted save by MollyS
fingers, and then only to find the fixed stare
l'of Inconsistencies Still she kept despair
from her soul, and Zach, too, still had
hope.
'IfsHarry recognizes his Captains wife"
said French, che will find a way to make
himself understood even if he can't talk.
Yes, it was important for him to reeog.
nize Mrs. Allaire, for by so doing his en-
thralled senses might be set free. 1t would
be necessary to act with the greatest pru-
/ dence until he should become accustomed to
her presence. Little by little his memory
would take up the lost elew, and he would
be able to express himself by signs, if he
could not by words.
Although Mrs. Allaire was counseled not
to remain too long on watch by Shelton's
bedside, vet she refused to quit the room
for moment. She clung persistently TO
the head of his bed.
"Shelton may die" she murmured, "and
should the word which am yearning fer bs
uttered with his last gasp, 1 must be there
to catch it. shall not leave him."
Toward evening there was slight change
for the better in the mates condition. He
slowly opened his eyes, but they took no
notice of Mrs. Allaire's presence. She,
however, bent her gaze upon him, called
him by name, and repeated the wordss
"John, Captain of the Dreadnaught, San
Diego" but they awakened no recollection
of his companions The dying man still
failed to make reply to the of-repeated
questions: ''1s John alive?" 'Is anyone
Of his crew still living?" Toward night
Shelton's weakness increased, his eyes fell
shut, his hands grew cold, as if the little
life left within him had retreated to his
heart, Would he die without uttering q
word?
On the following day the physician,
alarmed at these signs of collapse, resorted
to the most vigorous methods of resuscita-
tion but without effect. 1t was evident
that the man was sinking. Thus were the
bright hopes which Shelton's return had
given rise to about to go out in blank de-
spair, the light which his coming had
kindled to be succeeded by gloom so deep
that nothing would be able to dissipate it.
This would be the end, yes, the end of all
AT Molly's request there was now con-
sultation of the principal physicians of the
city, but after they had made careful ex-
of the patient they reluctantly
declared the ease hopeless
e "You can do nothing, then, for this un-
fortunate man?" asked Mrs. Allaire.
eve regret to say, nothing" replied the
physician in charge
"Not even bring him back to conscious
ness for single moment"
Willingly would Molly have laid down
her whole fortune to have gained this point.
But when man fails God is always left. 10
is to Him that helpless man turns with up
lifted hands when human resources are pow
erless to save! The moment the physicians
had left the room Molly fell upon her knees
Dy Shelton's bedside, and when Zach opened
the door he found her in prayer. He stood
for moment with bowed head, then ad-
vanced tiptoe to the head of the bed, in
order to satisfy himself whether Shelton
we're still alive or not.
''4Iadaml Madamr' suddenly burst from
he seaman's lips.
Thinking that French's cry announced
hat death had come at last, Molly rose to
her feet.
SIS he dead?" she whispered in tone so
jad rs to smite the honest boatswain's
heart.
'.No, Madam, no! See, his eyes are open,
lie is looking about him"
1t was as French had said. From beneath
lis half-raised lids Sheltons eyes burned
With strange brilliancy. Color came to
lis cheeks, his hands rose and fell. He had
,ome out of his long-continued lethargy,
md now his gaze was riveted upon the Cap
aims wife and half smile moved his lipa