The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1892-12-31


ness. But Zach frowncd grimIy as his
eyes fell upon the boy, for he was be-
coming apprehcnsivc lest the lads pres
ence might exercise dangerous .iniiu-
cnce upon Molly by rcopcning the ter
rible wounds of past years. However,
what excuse could he make for refusing
to obey her request when on the fol-
lowing day Molly expressed wish to
talk with the sailor lad" Hat in hand,
Godfrey came timidly into Mollys pres
encc. Instinctively 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 stateroon closed behind
him, Il want to ask you some qucs-
tions about your family. ! do SO be-
cause I'm interested in you, because |
| want to know more about you: Are
you willing to tell me what you know
"Yes, lady, very willing!" replied the
| lad, as the color came into his cheeks,
and he glanced nervously at Zach, who
seemed to him like some terrible ogre
ready to pounce upon him and tear him
away from the presence Of his fairy
princess.
How old are your
81 don't know, lady, exactly. but l
think | must be about fourteen or tif-
teen"
Fourteen or fifteen!' repeated Molly
with almost sob. And how long
have you been following the sea-"
II first entered the service when
was about eight years old rs n ship boy,
but for two years now I've been regu-
larry apprenticcd."
Did you ever make long voyage"
Eyes, lady, on the Pacific as far as
Asia and on the Atlantic as far as Eu'
rope"
Are you English?"
-"No, madam: I'm an American"
But how is it that you're serving Oh
an English steamer?
1.-The vessel which | had shipped or
was sold when we reached Sidney, and
finding myself discharged, took this
billet on the Brisbane until should get
chance to ship on an American YES
sell" 9
''You did well, my child" said Molly
making sign to Godfrey to come close
to her.
And now tell me where you wer
born
AT San Diego, madam"
''San Diego?" repeated Molly, withou
manifesting the slightest surprise at tn
boy answer 1t would seem as if sh
had known intuitively what Godfrey
answer would be. p q
J With a look of mingled surprise an
pain in them Zach French's eyes war
: dered from the pale, beautiful woma
seated on the sofa before him to tn
sweet, almost girlish face of the sailc
lad, whose dark olive skin glowed wit
u rich color as he kept his gaze fastene
upon the features of the lady i'll front {
, him. Something almost like groa
escaped Zach's lips.
"Yes, lady, in San Diego" continue
l Godfrey. ''Oh, ] know you, dear lad.
know you SO well!''
"Know lne?" repeated Molly, ha
a starting up and leaning forward to sea
the s me. t5 5v+,a sas Ee@sAsss 5ps'
"Yes. lady. for was brought up
the Walter home. was sent the
you there when you camc1to visit yo,
children, as you used to call then
Your hand has often rested on my hea,
dear lady; yes, many and many tim
But, of course, you don't remember II
one in the fifty or more who used {
. stand "a, In 2 Hoe in front of yo1
,, but 4zz* 10 me your ey,
! STA W 4 & face for a Ion
tifn<1 + = s. 6<is and then yC
sraist<& *u{f ue<z<dhed me to your Si(
:. afid ssuloothed my hair ana asked NE IA
name and told you, and then tried
put my arms around your neck, for yo
=, seemed so sweet and good, but the III
u tron pulled me away and whispere,
. No, no, child, don't do that; go back
" your place."
The tears had been gathering
j, Molly's eyes us the sailor lad ran ON tn
way with his "reminiscences of the Wa
ter home, and had not Zach's stern fat
been fixed upon her she would mo-
surely have reached out and taken ho
. Of the boys hands.
= And oh, dear lady" resumed CO.
a frey, II can't tell you how glad w:
,. when they told me that you were con
ing to Sydney, to look after Capt. Joh
q Allaire. have tried to think out son
:. good reason why he doesn't come hom
! for know he must be alive somewher
: know it.''
r Molly started up as If awakening fro
, a dream and caught the sailor lad by ii
!. hand. For a moment her lips move,
hut she was powerless to utter word.
deeper pallor spread over her face, an
i, she seemed upon the point of fallin
, into q swoon, when suddenly'a slendt
, but strong arm was passed around ht
waist. 1t steadied her and held her tel
, derby and firmly upright.
, Poor lady, cheer up" said Godfre,
Don't worry; everybody says til;
{ Capt. John is living with the native
a somewhere in the wilderness, and ths
he is such = brave and strong man ths
. he'll get away from them yet. Don
cry, Amother!'
8 "MotherT repeated Molly, in q smotl
cred tone OF joy, as her hand passe
caressingly over the thick black curl
that grew in wild profusion on the lad
head. Mother"
/, "Why, yes, lady" said Godfrey, su
D prised at the effect of his words, that
what we used to call you at the hom,
Our mother, our dear mother to whol
E we children owed everything in tn
world, .our home, our clothes, our foot
= our education,"
Overawed by the stern look an
wrinkled brow of the seaman wh
, stood with twitching hand and tren
5 bling lips following every changin
phase OF this strange aud movin
E scene, Molly drew herself in All
r showed a calmer exterior
E my lad," she asked almost in
: whisper, what is your name?"
why, I've told you, lady, Godfrey
mo, no, your full name-the nam
E of your family?"
2 II have no other name, madam"
1 "But yohr parents-who We're they:
81 don't know, dear lady, can't T.,
member them. | can only remembe
my nurse and wouldn't be able to d
, that only she was SO black, oh, $
black, and her teeth were SO big an
: white and sharp. Yes, remembe
her!"
t But who took you to the Waite
, home?"
= 81 can't tell you, dear lady, onl