The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-16
CHAPTER XIX-CoYrINUED.

MOliV'S dark eyes and strange JOY IN uer
heart as she alighted from the carriage
which had taken her from the wharf to her
hotel in King William street, Adelaide. 1t
was the twenty-SiKth day of August, only
one month since she had left San Francisco,
but it almost seemed as if a year had
rounded mp since leaving home, so many
strange voices had sounded in her earS-one
almost from the other world, faint, hollow
and indislinct, while another full of warmth.
tenderness and buOyancy seemed always to
have been with her, so strangely familiar
did it sound, such a fondness was there IN
lis accents. Godfrey had not been near
Molly when she left the steamer, but she
was quite certain that it was stern duty alone
that kept him away from that end OF the
steamer Zach walked by her side so like
stern and incorruptible guardian that she
only dared TO give a timid glance about her.
Still she knew the sailor lad was in safe
hands and deemed il best not TO alarm the
honest Zach at that moment by any show OF
weakness a tremendous task was await
ing her and it beho0ved her to give an earn
est OF her ability to face and accomplish 1t,
if she expected to inspire others with her
courage.
Thanks to the hearty cooperation of the
Government thirty picked men, well armed
and well mounted, some Of them half-breeds
ard speaking the dialect of the natives,
were soon enrolled for the expedition. Mrs.
Allaire contracted to pay them high wages
with bounty of several hundred pounds
upon their return, no matter what the out
come of the expedition might be. The men
We're TO be under the command of Tom
Marks, an old and experienced officer of the
provincial police, with Zacn French for his
Lieutenant but above Tom Marks, above
Zach, above every one, came MIS- John
Alaire, the Yeritable head as well us the
actual heart and soul of the expedition.
Il was agreed that the expedition should
rendezvous at Fayina Town, the terminus
O. the Adelaide Railway, where Mrs Allare
was To Join 1t day or 50 before the start,
which was TO take place some day in the
second week of September Several pleas
ant interviews took place between the Gov
ernoT-General and Mrs Allare. The for
mer thought himself in duty bound to set fully
forth to thar lady the dangers the difficult
ties and even the slight hope of success
awaiting such an expedition as the one she
was about to set on foot and which to make
successful she had already scattered her
money with alaviSh hand. Everything was
to be done 10 gain and preserve the good
will of the savages through whose domain
they were to pass Valuable presents were
10 be bestowed upon the chiefs and their
head men.
Il shall hesitate at nothing, your Excel
lency; / shall shrink from 10 sacrificed ex-
claimed Mrs. Allaire. what your intrepid
path finders accomplished in the interest of
civilization and science l shall do to rescue
my husband who to-day is the sole survivor
OF the crew of the Dreadnaught. Since the
day he sailed from San Diego, with all the
world against me, have persisted in my
belief that he was alive. Now we know
that he is. Now all that is needed 10 reach
him, and take him from the hands of his
savage captorS IS devotion to the noble task
we have set ourselves Our motto is, No
step backward and with Gods help we
shall bring Captain John Allaire home with
usW
The moment that stern but honest keeper
was away from MollY's side her thoughts
reverted to the sailor lad who had taken
such a strong hold of her heart. She had
been careful not 10 breathe to Zach the fact
of her failure to open the package delivered
10 her by the old seaman, or to confess to
him her lack of courage to do so. Why
should she long to ring the death-knell to
the first happiness that had come to her
after so many years OF sorrow? OF one
thing she was thoroughly convinced, how
ever, no matter to whom the boy belonged,
be was no ordinary child. His innate grace
and gentleneSs, his instructive refinement
proved this 10 say nothing of his handsome
highbTed features and honest wide-opened
eyes. M0liYwas firmly resolved not to give
not bring to their home when once the full
Eenteness and nobility of his character
had been brought ont by their love and
watchful care? How could John help low
ing such frank, manly sailor lad? Yes,
Godfrey would take Walters place in that
fathers heart; he would help John to bear
the awful loss which awaited him on his re-
turn home to San Diego.
MOllY's mind was fully made up. In spite
Of the scowi which she knew only too well
would wrinkle the brow of honest Zach
french when he heard of it, she was re-
solved to adopt Godfrey as her son, as
Johns and her son, educate him as such and
surround him with all the luxury and re-
fnement which her great wealth justified.
When evening came she sat down ana wrote
a few lines to the captain of the Brisbane,
requesting him TO send the sailor lad to her
in the morning. Summoning q servant, she
placed the letter in his hand and directed
him 10 take 1t at once to the captains hotel.
The man turned away and reached the
street door when he was accoSted by q tall
youth dressed in the picturesque costume of
the Australian trappfr, corduroy sm0ck
trGck belted at the waist, trunks of the
same material, leather leggings and broad
DTimmed felt hat turned gracefully up on
one side. A rifle was slung across his shoulder
and revolver and nuntlng-knlfe suspended
from his belt. He rather timidlY asked to
see Mrs. Allaire, and the man thinking him
10 be some member of the expedition sent
with a message from Farina Town where
the leaders OF the search party were en-
gagged IN completing their final preparations,
at once conducted him to Molly's rooms. AS
lie stepped into her presence, it required
second glance TO recogn re the sailor lad,
such complete metamorphosiS had his
hunting costume effected in his appearance.
He seemed SO much taller, so much older
The boy of 10 had suddenly become a man.
Molly stood, half dazed, with her gaze
rIyeted upon this handsome youth, and such
tumultuous rush of thought oppressed her
mind as to rob her for moment of the
power OF speech Godfrey took her silence
10 mean disapproyal, and Stammered out:
Dear lady, don't be angry with me-
could not bear TO let You go-alone-"
The stern-visaged Zach was not standing
there watching her; he was not present to
frown at what he deemed deporable
weakness at such time when all her
strength of mind and body were needed to
crown their labors with glorious triumph
No, she was alone with the boy, who had in
SO mysterious manner reused all the
mothers love, crushed, suppressed, dor
mant for many years. She was free to act
out her own tender, loving impulsiye self,
and with loud cry of joy she sprang for
ward and caught Godfrey in her arms and
With the kisses she rained upon him came
hundred pet names which she had not
dared to utter in Zaeh's presence. And
now, too, these almost mans arms for the
first time dared to clasp that form, so long
beloved, nay, adored by the waif of the Wal
ter Home.
Mother, mother" pleaded Godfrey.
don't leave me behind; take me with you.
I'm big enough and old enough to protect
you. L love you better than all the others
put together. Ill fight for you, die for you
If need be. Oh, let me 60 with you, mother !;
let me help find Captain John"
Yes, yesl come with Inc, my darling
child" cried Molly, beside herself with low.
BE ever by my side, Just as my own
Walt would have done were he alive now
God has sent you to me to fill his place. l
cannot close my arms against you, and re-
member when Captain John is found you
are TO be no longer Godfrey but Walter
you are to meet him as you met me to-
night, and to call him father as you did me
mother. de must not know that you are
not the child we lost in the dark waters of
tie bay. Such news might end his life,
weakened as he must be by want and pri,
yatiOn."
1t shall be as you say, mother" cried
Godfrey. Trust me, I'll be so good to
Captain John that DOsSihlv he oav Iaarn