Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-09-09
THE CALIFORNIANS,
BY JULES VERNE. Copyright 1891 by the Authors Alliance

Mir. Hollister took this letter, promis- ing to put it with his own mail for the Indies, and when this had been done, Mrs Allaire became somewhat calmer, living now only in the anticipation of a speedy arrival of tidings, direct or i'm direct, of the good ship Dreadnaught However, this condition of affairs could not last. Sooner or later, possi- bly through their abundance of eau tion, Molly would learu what they were concealing from her. The more she gave herself up to the thought that she would soon re- ceive n letter from John, that every day that went by shortened just so much his absence from her, the more terrible would be the fatal blow. A conversation which Molly and MT. Hol- lister had on June % only served to con- firm this opinion. For the first time Molly had walked out into the little garden, and there MT. Hollister found l her seated on bench in front of the | cottage steps. He sat down beside her | and taking her hands in his pressed them affectionately. Mrs. Allaire's strength had returned rapidly of late. Her old-time deep rich coloring had shown itself once more, although her eyes were often wetted with tears.
 'I see that you are getting well fast, my dear Molly" said Hollister; ''you are really doing finely" "Yes, Mir. Hollister," replied Molly, but, oh, it seems to me that have grown terribly old in these two months! My poor John will find me greatly changed. And then there will be no one but me to receive him-no one but me-"
 Courage, my dear Molly, courage. You mustn't give way Tn this manner, you know; you're my daughter now and | you must obey me-"
 "Dear Mir. Hollister!''
 "Ah, that's something likeI'
 "You have sent the letter which wrote John, haven't you?" asked Molly.
 Certainly! and you must wait re- | ply with patience. The India mails are often delayed. There, Molly, you are crying again; now please stopr
 "IIow can I, MT. Hollister, when think of everything? And was I not the cause of it, too?"
 'No, no, poor little mother, no! God hath chastened you severely, but he will put an end to your sorrow" "Godr' murmured Molly, God will bring back my John to mel"
 Have you had visit from Dr.. Bromley to-day, Molly?" asked Hollis ter.
 ''Yes, and he seemed satisfied with the progress I was making. My strength is increasing. shall soon be able to go out"
 Not until he gives his permission, Mollyw
 "Of course not, Mir. Hollister. I promise you not to do anything rash"
 And I rely on your promiser'
 "You have received no news of the Dreadnaught yet, Mr. Hollister?"
 'No, but it doesn't surprise me, for it's long voyage from here to the Indies."
 John may have written from Singa- pore. Didn't he touch there?"
 'He was to do so, Molly, but If he missed the mail even by few hours it would occasion delay of fortnight '
 '"Then you are not the least bit sur prised at not having received letter from John up to this time?"
 "Not the leastW answered Andrew Hollister, to whom the conversation was becoming very embarrassing.
 And there is no report in the mari time journals of his having beer spoken?"
 No, not since he fell in with the Fly ing Cloud-about-"
 1.-Two months ago." interrupted Mol ly. And oh, why did those two yes sels fall in with each other? Had they not done so, I would not have gone or board the Flying Cloud, and my baby A chapre come over Mrs A11aire'S faca and the tears burst forth.
 Molly, my dear Molly" pleaded Mir Hollister, ''don't weep. I beg of yo' , don't weep"
 "Ah, Mir. Hollister, I don't know , but a presentiment comes over me q |, times. It's very strange. It seems a o if a new misfortune-oh, I'm so worried about Johnp
 "You shouldn't be, Molly. There i no reason for it!'
 "Mr. Hollister, couldn't you send m some of the shipping journals in whicl there are marine reports; would lik to read"
 Certainly, my dear Molly, Ill do SC . However, if there were anything COT corning the Dreadnaught, either tha she had been spoken nt sea or had safe ly reached the Indies I would be tn first to know it and would at once"
 But it now became necessary { change the conversation. In the en Mrs. Allaire might have noticed cel tain hesitation in the replies made MT. Hollister, whose eyes could not bea un6inchingly the steady honest loo
 fixed upon them. The merchant wa upon the point of preaching the subjeC of Edward Manson's death and th - large fortune which he had left h niece, when Molly put this question: 'o "They tell me that Kate and her hu band have gone travelling. Have the been gone long?" "No, two or three weeks"
 And they'll be back soon, SUI pose"
 'I can't say" answered Andrew Ho lister. "We have not heard fro R them"
 " Isn't it known where they went?"
 No, my dear Molly. Lew Barker wa