Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-12-09
CHAPTER XVIII.

vice to take passage the next day on the
Brisbane for Adelaide. A thorough
study of the map of Australia had con
vinced French that the latter city of
fered better facilities not only for fit
ting out the expedition but also fol-
more quickly reaching the center of the
Capt John was held prisoner by some
of the savage tribes which roam over
those almost limitless plains.
Luckily the Brisbane was to sail the
next day at eleven a. m, and after
touching at Melbourne would reach
Adelaide August 81.
As Molly was sitting on the upper
deck in conversation with Zach, a cabin
boy approached them to ask, by order
of the captain, whether she were in
need of anything.
Nothing, my child" said Molly, to
whom the boys voice seemed strangely
familiar. Suddenly it occurred to
her where she had heard it. For an in
slant the eyes of the two were fixed in
silence, but intently, searchingly upon
each other.
my boy" began Molly, did you got
speak to me yesterday at the entrance
to the Marine hospital?"
Eyes, madam" said the lad, with a
respectful sailor salute.
"You asked me if Capt. John was
still among the hving?"
Eyes, madam"
do you belong to the crew of the
Brisbane?''
''Yes, shipped on her year ago,
but my time is almost up. l want to
get away"
'What is your name?"
Godfrey" replied the lad as he
saluted and hurried away to report.
''There is true sailor lad for you,"
said Zach as the boy disappeared, land
I'll wager his father was sailor be-
fore him can see that in his clear,
honest, wide-opened eyes, hear it in his
mild but manly voice"
''His voice!' murmured Molly, as the
music Of its ring still sounded in her
ears. Her gaze was riveted upon the
graceful, slender figure as it disap-
peared in the throng of passengers and
crew
French was not slow to guess the
meaning of the troubled look that he
now saw on Mrs. Allaire's face. Had
Walt lived he would have been Just
Godfrey's age, and the sight of this tall,
handsome boy filed the wretched
mothers heart with sorrow too deep
for words
zach" said she to French as the lat
ter bade her good night at the cabin
door, Zach, / want to know more about
that lad-who his family are and where
he was born. Perhaps he may not be
English"
Perhaps not" replied Zach, "I'll in
quire of the captain"
AS there was to be delay of thirty
NIX hours in Williamstown harbor Mrs.
Allaire resolved to spend the time in the
city of Melbourne, distant about mile.
AS she was leaving the steamer in COM
pany with Zach, she caught a glimpse
of Godfrey leaning on the forward rail-
ing. His eyes were following her every
movement, and such look of sadness
clouded his face and SO involuntarily did
he reach out as if to hold her back that
she was upon the point of calling out:
I'm coming back, my child!'' but with
an effort she smothered her feelings
and turned away.
When Mrs. Allaire returned on board
the following day Godfrey was on the
lookout for her. He took up his posi-
ton at the gangway and welcomed her
with smile of almost girlish sweet
ness But Zach frowned grimly as his
eyes fell upon the boy, for he was be-
coming apprehensive lest the lads pres
ence might exercise dangerous influ-
ence upon Molly by reopening 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 Molly's pres
ence. 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 stateroom closed behind
him, Il want to ask you some ques-
tions about your family. l 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 willingr' 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.
ssHoxv old ara uor,o,
II don't know, lady, exactly, but I
think must be about fourteen or fif-
teen
Fourteen or fifteenr' 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 as ship boy,
but for two years now I've been regu-
larly apprenticed."
did you ever make a long voyage?"
Eyes, lady, on the Pacific as far as
Asia and on the Atlantic as far as Eu-
rope"
Are you English?"
mo, madam; I'm an American"
''But how is it that you're serving on
an English steamer"
1.-THE vessel which had shipped on
was sold when we reached Sidney, and,
finding myself discharged, took this
billet on the Brisbane until should get
a chance to ship on an American ves-
sell"
"You did well, my child" said Molly,
making sign to Godfrey to come closer
to her.
''And now tell me where you were
born
SAT San Diego, madam"
''San Diego?" repeated Molly, without
manifesting the slightest surprise at the
boys answer. 1t would seem as if she
had known intuitively what Godfrey's
answer would be.
With look of mingled surprise and
pain in them Zach French's eyes wan
dered from the pale, beautiful woman
seated ON the sofa before him to the
sweet, almost gir1ish face of the sailor
lad, whose dark olive skin glowed with
a rich color as he kept his gaze fastened
upon the features of the lady in front Of
him. Something almost like groan
escaped Zach's lips.
"Yes, lady, in San Diego" continued
Godfrey. "Oh, know you, dear lady.
know you SO we1lr'
"Know me?" repeated Molly, half
starting up and leaning forward to scan
the face of the youthful speaker
know me, you say?"
"Yes, lady, for was brought up at
the Walter home, was sent there
-Iax, \