The morning call., 1891-08-09

Lacn. she caught glimpse of Godfrey
leaning on the forward railing. His eyes
were following her every movement and
such look of sadness clouded his face,
and so individually did he reach out as if
10 hold her back, that she was upon the
point of calling out. Pm coming back. nv
chiid. Bu' with an effort she smothered
her feelings and turned away.
When Mrs. Allaire returned on board the
following day Godfrey was on the lookout
Tor her. He took mp his position at the
gangway and welcomed her with smile of
almost giriish sweetness. But Zach fr0wned
grlmly as hls eyes fell upon the bay, for he
was becoming apprehensive lest the lads
presence might exercise a dangerous in
huence upon Molly by reopening the terri
bic wounds of past years. However, what
excuse could he make for refusing to obey
her request, when on the following day
Molly expressed n wish 10 talk with the
sailor lad? Hat in hand Godfrey came
Ilmldiy into Molly'S presence 1nstinctvtly
Zach felt that no good could come of these
interviews. but he determined not to leave
them alone.
My boy" began Mrs. Allaire as the
door of her state-room closed behind him.
l want 10 ask you some questions about
your family. l DO so because Pm inter-
ested in you, because | want to know more
about you. Are you willing to tell me what
yon know?"
yes. lady. very willinglyv' replied the
LAD, rs the color came into his cheeks, and
no glanced nery0usiy al Zach, who seemed
to him like some terrible ogre reaGy to
poInce upon him and tear him away from
the presence of his fairy princess.
" How old are you?"
" don't know, lady, exactly, but think
l must be about IA or 10
9 Fourteen or ffteenr' repeated Molly,
with almost sob. And how long have
you been following the sea?"
Il first entered the service when I was
Alb ut years old as a ship-boy but for
two years now I've been regularly appren-
ticed.'
Did you ever make long vovage?"
Yes, lady; on the Pacific as far as
Asia, aud on the Atlantic as far as
Europe"
Are you English?"
No, madam: Fan an American"
British steamer?"
The vessel which had shipped on was
sold when we reached Sydney, and finding
myself discharged, | took this billet on til
brisbane until i should get 81 chance to ship
Oh an American vesSel.''
You did well, my child" said Molly,
making sign to Godfrey to come closer to
her.
And now tell me where you were born"
AT San Diego, madam"
''Sa1 Diego?" repeated Molly. without
manifestug the slightest surprise at the
boys answer. IL would seem as if she had
known intuitively what Godfrey's answer
woald be.
With a look of mingled surprise and pain
IN them Zach French'S eyes wandered from
the pale, beautiful woman seated on the
sofa before him to the sweet, almost girish
face OF the sailor lad, whose dark olive skin
glowrd with a rich color as he kept mis- gazs
fastened upon the features of the lady in
front Of him Something almost like groan
escaped Zach's lips.
Yes. lady, in San Diego continued
Godfrey "Oh, | know you, dear lady,
know you so weilp'
know me?' repeated Molly. half start
Ing np and leaning forward to scan the face
OF the youthful speaker. Know me, you
say?"
Yes. lady; for l was brought up at the
Walter Home. | was sent there when a
mere toddler On, often saw you there
when you came TO visit your children, as
rested on my head, dear lady; yes, many
and many time. But, of course, you don't
remember me-one of the fifty or more who
Used to stand up in long line in front of
you, but one day it seemed to me your eyes
stayed fixed upon my face for long time
Oh, SO long time; and then you smiled and
Oeck0Ded me To your side, and smOothed my
mar and asked me my name, and | told you
ana then Tried to put my arms around your
neck, Tor you seemed so sweet and good
out The matr0n pulled me away and whiS-
pered: NO, no. child; don't do that. Go
back 10 your place
The tears had been gathering in Molly's
eyes as the sailor lad ran on in this way
with his "reminiscences Of the Walter Home
and had not Z1ch's stern face been fixed
upon her she would have reached out and
taken hold of the boys hands.
Aud oh, dear lady," resumed Godfrey,
Il can't tell you how glad I was when they
told me that You were coming to Sydney to
look after Captain John Allaire. | have
tried to think out some good reason why he
doesn't come home, for [ know he must be
alive somewhere. | know i'll"
Molly started up as If ewaking from a
dream and caught the sailor lad by the
hand. For moment her lips moved but
she was powerless to utter a word. A
deeper pallor spread over her face and she
seemed upon the point of falling in a
swooD. when suddenly slender but strong
steadied her and held her tendcrly and
firmly upright.
" Poor lady, cheer up" said Godfrey.
Don't worry; everybody says that Captain
John is living with the natives somewhere
In the wilderness, and that he is such a
brave and strong man that he'll get away
from them yet. Don't cry, mother"
Mother" repeated Molly. in smothered
tone OF JOY as her hand passed caressinglv
over the thick black curls that grew in wild
profusion on the boys head. Mother pr
Why. yes, lady," said Godfrey, surprised
at the effect OF his words, that's what we
used TO call you at the Home. Our mother.
our dear mother, TO whom we children owed
everything in the world; our nome. our
clothes. our food. our education"
Overawed by the stern look and vrinkled
prov of the seaman, who stood with twltch-