Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-12-02

ana should the word when am yearn-
ing for be uttered with his last gasp I
mus; be there TO catch it | shall not
leave himl''
Towards evening there was 4 slight
change for the better In the mates con-
dition- He slowly opened his eyes, but
they took no note of Mrs Allaire's pres
ence She, however, bent her gaze upon
him, called him by name, and repeated
the words: John, captain OF the
Dreadnaught, San Diego;" but they
awakened no recollection of his COM
panions. The dying man still failed to
make reply to the oft repeated ques-
tions: Is John alive? Is anyone of his
crew still living? Towards night Shell
toms weakness increased, his eyes fell
shut, his hands grew cold, as if the lit
tie life left within him had retreated to
his heart Would he die without utter
ing a word?
On the following day the physician,
| alarmed at these signs of collapse, re-
sorted to the most vigorous methods of
resuscitation; but without effect 1t
/ was evident that the man was sinking.
Thus were the bright hopes which Shell
I tons return had given rise to about to
go out in blank despair, the light which
his coming had lkindled to be succeeded
by a 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 a consultation of
the principal physicians of the city, but
after they had made a careful examina-
ton of the patient they reluctantly de-
clared the case hopeless
"You can do nothing then for this un-
fortunate man?" asked Mrs. Allaire.
1--WE regret to say, nothing" replied
the physician In charge
Not even bring him back to con-
sciousness for n single moment?"
Willingly would Molly have laid down
her whole fortune to have gained this
point But when man fails God is al
ways left. 1t is TO Him that helpless
man turns with uplifted hands when
human resources are powerless to save!
The moment the physicians had left
the room Molly fell upon her knees by
Shelton's bedside, and when Zach
opened the door he found her In prayer
He stood for a moment with bowed
head, then advanced tiptoe to the head
of the bed, in order to satisfy himself
whether Shelton were still alive or not
''Madaml Madaml" suddenly burst
from the seaman's lips.
Thinking that French's cry announced
that death had come at last, Molly rose
to her feet.
SIS he dead7" she whispered, in a tone
SO sad as to smite the honest boats
wain's heart
mo, madam, no. See, his eyes are
open, he is looking about him"
II was as French had said. From be-
meath his half-raised lids Shelton's eyes
burned with strange brilliancy Color
came to lis checks, his hands rose and
fell He had come out of his long
continued lethargy, and now his gaze
was riveted upon the captains wife and
a half smile moved his lips.
"He has recognized me!' whispered
Molly.
YES" said Zach; "he sees his cap
tain's wife by his bedside-he Is trying
to speal, 10 her."
"And if he cannot" murmured Mrs
Allaire. God grant that he may at
least make us understand"
Then as she took Shelton's hand in
hers thrill of joy flashed through her
form as she felt him feebly return her
pressure.
John? John?" she queried with an
intense eagerness.
A look from Shelton assured her that
she had been understood.
"AliveT' she whispered.
"Yes!'
Although that yes was SO faint as to
seem like whisper from another world,
Molly's attentive ear had caught it.