The morning call., 1891-08-09
CHAPTER XVI.
HARRY SHELTON.


The steamer Oregon had averaged about
seventeen knots on this trip, which had been
favored by superb weather Zach had an
idea that the steamer was doing her very
best on Mrs. Allaire's account IL need
hlTdly be said that passengers, officers and
crew manifested the greatest sympathy for
this brave lady, whose rare courage in bear
ing up under her misfortuneS made her
richly deserving of it, On August 18Th
after voyage of 1000 miles. the Oregon
entered the bay of Port Jackson through its
lofty gateway of schiSt0us cliffs. To the
customs agent, who was the first person to
hoard the steamer, Mrs. Allaire turned with
the anxious inquiry:
Harry Shelton? p
"He is still alive" replied the agent. who
had guessed who the lady was, for did not
the whole city Of Sydney know that she had
tlken passage on the Oregon, and was she
not awaited with the greatest impatience
Where is hep" she manfred
"At the Marine Hos pital"
MIS-. Allaire, followed by Zach French,
landed at once. The crowd received her
with that Difference which had always been
shown her at San Diego, and which would
have been shown her anywhere. A car
rage conveyed them to the Marine Hos
pita, where they were received by the ply
sician in charge.
Has Harry Shelton been able to speak
yet she asked. 'has ne recovered con-
sciousness?"
No, madam" replied the physician.
The poor man has not recovered the use of
his faculties. He seems to be unable to
articulate a syllable. Death may carry him
of at any moment"
shelton must not diep' exclaimed Molly.
'He alone knows whether Captain John is
alive, whether any OF his crew still survive.
He alone can tell where they are. l have
come to see him, to hear what be has to
say"
Madam, III take you to him at once" re-
piled the physician.
In few moments Mrs. Alaire and Zach
French stood by Shelton's bedside.
SIX weeks prior TO this time a band of
trappers who had crossed New South Wales
aud penetrated into the southern portion of
Queensland, while camped upon the left
banks of the Paroo, had come upon human
being in the bush. The mans clothes were
reduced to the merest shreds, ana so near
deaths door was be through hunger and ex-
posture that he had lost con- seriousness But
fortunately his enlistment papers as an off
Ger in the American merchant marine in
formed his finders who he was, namely:
Harry Shelton, the mate OF the clipper-ship
Dreadnaught. Where did he come from
of the Australian Ointment had he made
his way here? For how long
lime had he wandered about in
cesert? Had he been a prisoner
among the natives ana had he succeeded in
making his escape? Where had he left his
companions. if any of them were still alive?
Could it be that he was the last survivor of
the Inflated ship wrecked fourteen years
aSoP Up to this moment not one of these
questions had received an answer There
did not cease to be-, however, great desire
everywhere manifested as to where Harry
Shelton had come from; what his life had
been since the wreck of the Dreaduaught on
the reefs of Browse Isiand-in a word, to
have tie mystery cleared up.
Harry Shelton was carried to the nearest
point in railway communication with Sgd
ney and thence to that city. The news of
his arrival in the capital was first made
public by the Morning Journal, extracts Of
which article have already been given. from
which 1t appeared that the mate of the
clipper ship had not as yet recovered con-
seriousness sufficiently TO reply to questions
put to him.
Mrs. Allaire never would have recognized
Shelton, so changed was he. Although only
90. lie had the appearance of man OF 60
lhls man, or rather this pitiable wreck of
humanity, was the only human being
able TO tell what had become of Captain
John and his crew. And till now the
most tender nursing had been Intellectual to
bring about improvement In Shelton's con-
dltion, condition due, no doubt TO the ter
rlhle 1atlgues undergone during the weeks,
VINO can say, possibly months, of his wan
dering across Central Australia? A sinking
fit might at any moment extinguish the
spark Of life still aglow within him. Since
he mad Oten III THIS hospital It would have
been impossible for him to open his eyes
without the attendants knowing whether he
had TeSalnea consciousness or not He took
no notice OF those who administered nOur-
ishment to him as to sick child. 1t seemed
AS IL the awful suterings to which he had
been exposed had so weakened his mind as
10 destroy allrecOIlection of companions
Seated 10y his bedside with her gaze riy-
eted upon his face, Mrs. Allaire watched
every movement of his eyelids, listened TO
every faint murmur Of his voice in hopes to
catch one single word. Standing behind her
was Zach French intent upon noting some
glimmer of intelligence as sailor watches
for the first ray of light through the lower
ing gloom of the horizon. But no glilnmer
came that day. The lids Of Shelton's eyes
were not lifted save by Molly's fingers, and
then only 10 find the fixed stare of uncon-
seriousness. still she kept despair from her
soul, and Zach, too, still had hope.
III Harry recognizes his captains wife"
said French, "he will find way to make
himself understood, even, If he can't talk"
Yes, II was important for him t. recognize
Mrs. Aliaire. for by so doing his enthralled
senses might be set free 1t would be neces-
sary TO act with the greatest prudence until
he should become accustomed to her pres
ence. Little by little his memory would
take up the lost clew, and he would be able
to express himself by signs, if he could not
10y words.
Although Mrs. Alaire was counseled not
to remain too long on watch by Sbeiton's
bedside. yet she refused to quit the room for
a moment. She chung persisteDtly to the
head OF his bed.
''Shelton may die" sho murmured, "and