The morning call., 1891-07-12
CHAPTER TX.
REVELATIONS,

Mr.. HOLSTER and DR.. Bromley had been
careful to direct the exclusion of all papers
and letters from the cottage. But Molly was
now quite strong enough to leave the house,
and although the doctor had not authorized
her to do so, might she not leave Prospect
Cottage without giving any warning {?
Hence it would not do to put off the matter
any longer. All arrangements were there
fore made Molly would soon be told that
she must never expect TO see Captain John
again. But 1t seems that after her inter-
view with Mr.. HOllister Molly had resolved
to leave the house without the knowledge of
the attendants, who naturally would have
done everything to dissuade her. Yet, even
if this leaving the house might not be in any
way dangerous, considering the present state
of her health, yet it might be followed by de-
plorable results should she accidentally
learn the trnth withous being in the least
leaving Prospect Cottage was to begin action
with regard to Zach French. Since she had
learned his name, but 9ne train of thought
had filed her mind.
Yes. possibly. they did do something for
him., she said to herself. "They gave him
a little money, but was not there to attend
to it. And now Zach Is away on a cruise,
he has been gone five or six weeks, but no
doubt he has family, wife and children,
and they are poor people, you may depend.
It's my duty 10 go and find them out, to Hook
after their wants, to make it comfortable for
them. Yes: must sec them; must look
after them.'
And even if Mrs. -Allaire had consulted
Andrew HOLSTER on tais subject how could
he have brought himself to advise her
against this deed of gratitude, this act of
charity?
On the morning of June Dist, toward 9
| O'Clock, Molly left the house without any one
! seeing her. She Was dressed in mourning
| IN mourning for her child, whose death in
| her mind dated back only two short months
| She was hurrying ip the direction of the
| docks when she conceived the notion of
! passing in front OF Lew Barker's house. 1t
would only add little to the distance.
Poor Kater' she murmured.
As she reached the spot where the Bar
| kers' house had stood she looked about her
| in a half-dazed and bewildered manner. 1t
was nowhere TO be seenl An exclamation
| of surprise escaped her, and her heart was
| oppressed with a vague and indefinable So
| lctude. In the place of the narrow, SON.
| Der dwelling which she remembered there
! was large aud imposing building several
stories in height. With lofty grated windows
on the ground floor On the top of the
| structure there was a lantern tower from
which waved a flag bearing the initials ii.
| w. over the door there was a sign lettered
| in gold as follows: Harris Waddington 81
| Coz
| Molly thought she must be mistaken. She
| glanced to the right and to the left. No,
| this was the spot, on the corner of Fleet
| street, where she had come TO see Kate
| Barker. She passed her hand over her
! eyes. A strange and mysterious PRESENT.
| ment flashed upon her. She was powerless
10 explain her own feelings. The offices Of
! HOLSTER d Co. were close at hand. A few
| steps farther brought them plainly in view
| Her first thought was to go there. But, no,
| she would stop on her way back, after she
| bad had the interview with Zach French's
family. Her intention was to get the
sailors address at the office Of the steam
| launches near the landing.
With throbbing heart bewildered mind
| and restless eyes Molly hurried along. She
| now began to scan the faces of the people
she met, and an almost irresistible inclina-
ton came over her to accost somessof them,
| to question. to ask them-what A.? They
| would have taken her for a lunatic: and in
| fact was she quite sure that her reason had
not fled for second time? Could it be that
there were gaps in her memory?
| A few steps farther and Molly had reached
| the Office of the steam launches, one of
| which was just casting off and heading for
| Point Iona. Molly followed it with her
| eyes, listening to the steam escaping in puffs
| from the black smokestack.
What sad recOllections rose to her mind
rec0lle tons of her child, whose little body
| the waters had been unwilling to surrender.
| These waters drew her toward them with n
| strange fastination. 1t grew dark before
| her eyes, the ground seemed to yield beneath
| her feet. u vertigo seized her-sha was
| effort she turned and entered the office.
| Upon catching sight of this woman with
| the blanched face and contracted features
| the man in charge, who was sitting at a table
rose quickly and placed chair for her.
| "AIe you i'll, madam" he inquired.
"Oh, no; it's nothing, SIR replied Molly.
ga momentary weakness; Pm better now"
BE kind enough to take seat. 1t will
be ten minutes before the next boat leaves. !"
| Thanks" answered Mrs. Allaire. 81
| ha nrl u pOp IN b fpr,
Possibly you may beable to give it 10 me-"
| In reference to what, madam"
Molly had sat down and was holding
her hand pressed against her forehead as Il
| to collect her thoughts.
| You had sailor in your employment. !"
said Molly, by the name Of Zach French.
did YOU not, sir?"
=" Yes, madam" replied the employe.
but the man didn't remain very long with
US. however. knew him very we'll"
He was the ore, wasn't he. who risked
| his life to save woman, an unfortunate
| mother?"
| Yos: yes. l remember. 1t was Mrs. AL
| laira. Yes, he was the man."
| And he is at sea now?"
| Eyes, madam"
"What vessel did he ship onpp
| 1.-The three-masrer Golden Gate"
| "Of San Diego?"
mo, madam; of San Francisco"
| What port did lie sail for?"
| various European ports"
| A feeling of exhaustion came ovar Mo,,v
| and she sat in silence for moment or so
while the employe stood waiting for her to
| continue. 49, "
Zach French's home is in San Diego
| "Yes, madam"
Could You tell me where his family live pr
| I've always been told that Zach French
| was alone in the world. Idon't think he h 9
any relatives, either in San Diego or else
| where" VOC
Then he was not a married mar? ?"
| mo, madam"
There was no reason for doubling tina
correctness of the replies made by this
man. to whom Zach French was SO we'll
known. SO. for the present there was
netning to be done, since the man had no
family, except for Mrs. Allaire to await the
return of the Golden Gate to America. 'A'
Can you tell me how long Zach Frencb,s
voyage VIII be likely to last" asked Molly.
| was charterad for n 1onp cruioa - N~So