Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-10-14
ionary not to regard as certain the total
Lee - l. l.

ionary not to regard as certain the total
loss of the Dreadnaught
Such was the position of Lew Barker.
Such the outlook for him and that, too,
at moment when he saw himself re-
duced to desperate expedients-
Anyway, there were as yet no signs
of any failure Of supplies at Prospect
cottage And for this reason: After
Aony's lunacy had been judiciaIlv es-
tablished rt nnu become necessary m
the absence of her husband, to name a
committee Of her person and estate.
Lew Barker, on the ground of pro-
pinquity, seemed to be the natural
guardian and had consequently been
chosen, and in his capacity as such COM
rnittee was vested with full control of
her estate. The money which Capt
John had deposited to cover the ex-
penses of the house was at Barker's
disposal and he had made use of it for
personal needs 1t was, of course, an
inconsiderable sum, as the Dread
naught was only to be absent for five
or six months; but there was also Mol
| ly's separate estate, and although Ii
| only amounted to a few thousand dol
lars Lew Barker, by making use of il to
fight off pressing claims, would be able
to gain time, and this was an essential
point for him.
Therefore this dishonest man didn't
hesitate to take advantage of his posi-
ton as guardian and appropriate the
property of his ward and relative to his
own use. Thanks to these trust funds
he was enabled to secure a brief respite
and to launch new schemes not n whit
less disreputable. Having once set foot
upon the highway which leads to crime,
Lew Barker would If necessary follow
1t to the end.
Moreover, the return of Capt. John
was now less and less to be feared
Week after week went by and Hollister
Co. received no news of the missing
ship. But how had she perished? Opin-
ions differed but little, although II
could be only matter of conjecture.
True it was that since the sailing of the
Dreadnaught several merchantmen
bound for the same port had necessarily
gone over the same course. Now, ns
none of these had found any trace of
her, there was nothing left but Ia ac-
cept the most reasonable hypothesis,
which was this; Overtaken by one of
those dangerous hurricanes, those ire
sistible typhoons which often burst
upon the waters of the Celebes, or Java
sea, the Dreadnaught had gone down
with every soul on board. On October
10, 1875, it would be seven months since
the Dreadnaught had sailed out OF the
port of San Diego, and the conclusion
was irresistible that she would never en-
ter 1t again.
Andrew Hollister looked upon It as q
matter Of duty to see that Mrs Allaire,
now she was robbed of her mental fac
ulties, should have all her material ne
cessities we'll provided for. He was
aware that Capt John had before his
departure set aside n sum, based upon
an absence of six or seven months,
quite sufficient to cover all the expenses
of the house. But realizing now that
this provision must be pretty nearly
exhausted, and not heing willing that
Molly should fall burden to her rela-
tves. he resolved TO have an interview
with Lew Barker on this subject.
On the afternoon of October II, al-
though not yet in the very best of
health, the shipping merchant set out
for Prospect cottage, and having
reached the heights Of this quarter of
the city In due time, entered the front
gate OF the villa So far rs the eye
went there was ne change, except that
the window blinds of the ground floor
and first story were tightly closed. II
had the air of an unoccupied house, ST.
lent and mysterious looking,
Mr.. Hollister rang the bell of the
outer door and waited patiently for
some one TO appear; but no one came.
In fact, IL seemed as il the caller had
neither been seen nor heard. Could ID
be that there really was no one at home?
A second pull at the bell was followed
by the noise OF opening q side door.
The mulattress came in sight and an
exclamation of irritation escaped her
the moment her eye had fallen upon
Mr.. Hollister, which, however, was un-
noticed by him.
The girl now walked towards him,
but gave no sign of any intention of ad-
mitting him.
SIS Mrs. Allaire not at homer" he
asked.
''6he has gone out, Mr.. Hollister,"
answered Nanny, with a peculiar hesi-
tation in which there was n visible ad-
mixture Of fright
"Why, where Is Molly?" cried Mr..
Hollister in tone of insistence.
''She has gone out walking with Mrs.
Barker"
IT thought they had given up those
walks which only seemed to excite her
and bring on nervous attacks"
eyes, that's So" replied Nanny. but
for several days past we have COM
menced them again-they seem to do
Mrs. Allaire good now"
I'm sorry that they should not have
notified me of this" said Andrew Hol-
lister. 'Is Mr.. Barker at home7"
81 don't know
go and see; and IL he Is, say to him
that wish to speak TO him"
Before Nanny could think of what
sort of an answer she should make, for
she suddenly realized the difficulties of
her position, the front door was opened. |
Lew Barker stepped out upon the
veranda and came down the path TO
meet the merchant
please walk In, Mr.. Hollister," said
he, with frigid attempt at cordiality. |
out for stroll with Molly, shall have |
to do the honors myself"
"How long before Molly will return?"
asked Andrew Hollister.
mot before dinner time, think" an |
swered Barker.
Mr.. Hollister was evidently much dis |
appointed, for IL was absolutely neces- |
sary that he should get back to the |
Office before the mails closed. Then |
again, Lew Barker made no suggestion |
that he should await Molly's return
"You have not noticed any change |
for the better In Molly's condition."
asked the merchant
"Unfortunately none, Mr.. Hollister, |
and I'm inclined 70 believe that this Ia |
one of those cases beyond the reach Of
all remedies"
THAT no one can say, Mr.. Barker. |
What may seem utterly impossible 10 |
man Is easily possible TO God"
Barker gave one OF those dubious
shakes Of the head so common with |
men who scout the idea Of any inter |
ference of Providence in the affairs OF |
men.
"And the most distressing part of It |
all Is" continued Mr.. Hollister, that |
we must now give up all hopes of ever |