Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-10-14
CHAPTER v.
WHAT THREE MONTHS BRING soRTH.

scribe the effect produced at San Diego
by this double catastrophe-thed drown
ing of little Walt, the insanity of the
captains wife. The reader already
knows of the deep sympathy felt fol
the Allaire family by the residents OF
the city and of the lively interest which
they took in the welfare of the young
captain. Although scarcely fortnight
had robbed him of his infant son and
his wife Of her reason. Upon his re-
turn he would search his forlorn home
In vain for little Waits smiling face,
and there would be no wife to welcome
him joyfully and tenderly. Molly would
not even know that it was he. And as
the Dreadnaught rsentered the harbor
no cheer would go up. She would be
received In dead silence.
But 1t would not do to await the re-
turn of John Allaire before telling him
OF the dread misfortune which had
overtaken him Mr.. Hollister could not
for a moment think of leaving the
young captain in ignorance of what had
happened, at the risk of his coming ac-
cidentally upon some fact or circum-
rtance which might make known the
terrible truth to him The only course
for the merchant TO pursue was TO send
a dispatch to his correspondent st
Singapore. IN this way Capt John
would be informed oSthe awful calami-
ty before his arrival in the Indies.
And yet Andreg Hollister desired 10
delay the sending OF this dispatch for q
brief period Possibly Molly's reason
was not irrevocably lost Who could
say that the tender care lavished upon
her might not restore her shattered in
tellect2 Why strike John double
bloy by informing him of the death OF
his child and the insanity OF his wife
II this insanity was not to be OF long
continuance?
After a consultation with Lew and
Kate Barker, Mr.. Hollister resolved to
delay action until the physicians should
make definite statement in regard to
Molly's mental condition. In all cases
Of sudden loss of reason there Is more
hope of cure than when the mental
alienation is due to a gradual unfxiug
of the mind. Hence delay of several
days, possibly several weeks, was de-
termined upon.
The first definite report Of the physi-
clans was to the effect that Molly's in
sanity would be likely to take the form
Of a mild and gentle melancholy.
Every remembrance of her terrible
misfortune had faded from her mind.
Her eyes were fearless, her gaze dull
and Hstless- She seemed to See moth
Ing, to hear nothing. She was no
longer OF this world. Her life was
mere physical existence.
Such was the condition of Mrs.
Allaire during the first month follow
ing the accident. The question now
arose whether 1t was expedient to place
her in q private hospital where she
could have special treatment. Mr..
Hollister took this view of the matter
sud it would have been done had not
Lew Barker interviewed with another
proposition.
Seeking out Mr.. Hollister in his
private Office, Lew Barker thus ad-
dressed him: ''It seems to be agreed
noy that Molly's insanity is not of a
dangerous character, calling for her
confinement, and since she has no other
family excepting US we ask that she be
confded to our care. Molly was de-
votedly attached to my wife, and, who
knows, possibly Kate's superyision OF
her may be productive of better re-
suits than that of total strangers.
Should any symptoms of critical ma
ture show themselves it would be time
enough then to take any necessary
steps. Don't you think so, Mr.. Hollis
ter?"
There was a certain hesitation in the
panner of the honest shipper as he
made reply, for there existed but little
sympathy between him and Lew Bar
ker. although he knew nothing at this
time of the mans entangled affairs, and
had no ground to suspect his honesty.
''Since you are willing to assume this
responsibility" replied Mr.. Hoilister,
81 don't see any objection, Mr.. Barker,
to Molly's being intrusted to the care
Of her cousin. whose devotion cannot
for . moment be called into question"
"a DEVOTION" added Lew Barker,
(which will never be found wanting"
But as the man uttered these words
the listener caught that cold, unpleasant,
matter-of-fact impression which Barker
found 1t impossible to rid himself of.
"Your proposition does you credit"
resumed Mr. Hollister However, one
thing occurs tome. Iquestion whether
your house In Fleetstreet, situated as it
is in the center Of the noisy commercial
quarter, would present conditions favor
able for poor Molly's recovery. What
she needs Is perfect quiet, pure air"
"And therefore," interrupted Barker,
"our intention is to remove her to Pros
pect cottage and to take up our resi-
dence with her. She is accustomed to
this villa and the sight of objects famil-
lar to her may exercise salutary infu-
ence upon her mind. Mr.. Hollister, we
must leave undone nothing that might
in any way tend to have a wholesome
effect upon the mind of our unfortunate
relative"
A kindly feeling had evidently
prompted this reply. But why was II
that the words Of this man seemed
powerless to inspire confidence? How
ever, his proposition under the circun-
stances called for immediate acceptance,
and Mr.. Hollister could not do less than
express his thanks to Barker, adding
that John would be profoundly CRATE
ful to him.
On April 81 Mrs. Allaire was removed
to Prospect cottage, where Kate and
Lew Barker took up their residence
that same day, which action on their
part called forth general approval.
1t is easy to guess what motive was
sctuating Lew Barker. The fact should
not be lost sight of that on the very
day of the disaster he had intended to
confer with Molly concerning certain
business matter, which was nothing
more or less than q proposition for her
to loan him a certain sum of money.
But since then the situation had
changed completely. 1t was more than
hkely that Barker would in his capacity
as guardian of the person and estate of
his relative have full control of her
property, and in that case he would be
able to provide himself with funds
Illegally, II Is true, but 1t would enable
him to gain time. Kate had already
had presentiment that such would be
his course, and while she rejoiced at be-
ing able to devote herself wholly to her
cousin, she trembled at thought Of the
projects which her husband, under
cover of benevolence and humanity,
would attempt to carry out
r !. L. ,l11,