Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-09-10

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 "And he Is at sea now?'
 "Yes. madam" a
 "What vessel did he ship on2''
 "The three-master Golden Gate"
 ''Of San Diego?"
 "No, madam; of San Francisco"
 ''What port did he sail for?''
 ''Various European ports" A feeling of exhaustion came over Molly and she sat in silence for mo- ment or so, while the employe stood waiting for her to continue.
 Zach French's home Is in San Diego, isn't it2''
 "Yes, madam"
 "Could you tell me where his family live2''
 "I've always been told that Zach French was alone in the world don't think he has any relatives, either in San Diego or elsewhere"
 "Then he was not a married man2" "No, madam" There was no reason for doubting the correctness of the replies made by this man to whom Zach French was so well known. So for the present there was nothing to be done, since the man had no family, except for Mrs. A1laire to await the return of the Golden Gate to America
 Gould you tell me how long Zach French's voyage will be likely to last2'' asked Molly.
 'I could not, madam. The Golden Gate was chartered for long cruise"
 'T am greatly obliged to you, sir," said Mrs. Allaire. ''I should have liked very much to see Zach French, but it will no doubt be Tor while-''
 "Yes, madam"
 However, isn't it possible that there may be news of the Golden Gate in a few months, few weeks?"
 "News?" repeated the employees. "No doubt the San Francisco house to which the vessel belongs has received news
 rom her several times already"
 "Already?"
 "Yes, madam"
 Several times?"'
 As she repeated these words, Mrs. Allaire had risen and stood looking the man in the face as if his words had been unintelligible to her.
 "Here, madam" said the employe, holding out journal. Here's a copy of the Shipping Gazette. It contains an announcement that the Golden Gate left Liverpool a week ago." "A week agol" murmured Mrs. AL laire, taking the paper in her trembling ! hand ''How long has Zach French
 been gone?' she asked in voice SO lit tie above a whisper that the man could scarcely catch it. About eighteen months" Eighteen months?" : Molly was obliged to support herself by leaning against the wall Her heart } had ceased to beat, and there was a look of terror in her eyes as they suddenly fell upon poster on which was printed the arrivals and departures of the steam :; launches for the summer season. At
 the head of this notice stood the date:
 March, 1879.
 March, 1879! They had deceived her It was four years since her child had been drowned; four years since John had set F sail for the Indies. She had therefore 5 been out of her mind for these four long . years! And if Mir. Hollister and D1 Bromley had allowed her to believ F that she had only been deranged fo r l the short space of two months it mus |, have been for the purpose of conceal r ing the truth about the Dreadnaught- h it must be that for four years they ha q no tidings of either Capt. John or hi f ship.
 To the consternation of the employe q Mrs Allaire seemed about to succum q to some sudden ailment; but with a sr e perhuman effort she recovered posses l. sion of herself, and, dashing out of tn IF office, hurried along from one street , another.
 ,a Those who met this woman with he # wild eyes and pallid face could not d otherwise than regard her as an escape "A lunatic.
 And if she was not what they though d her to be would it not be a mere que'
 ton of time? Whither was she hurry T ing? It was in the direction of the O fees of Hollister & Co.,, where she al
 rived in few minutes without know I ing how. She crossed the outside offic' N fitting by the astonished clerks wh
 had no chance to detain her, and pushe open the door of the shipping merchant 19 | private office.
 Andrew Hollister's astonishment " '. seeing Mrs. Allaire quickly gave plat II to dismay upon glancing at her draw :, features, her deadly pallor. 0 'I know all! I know all!" she e: Ao claimed, wildly, before he could fir time to utter a syllable. ''You have
 celved me. I've been out Of my mir
 for four years -" s "My dear Molly-calm yourself -" 'o "Tell me-about the Dreadnaught As isn't it four years since she sailed?" io Andrew Hollister bowed his head.
 "You have had no news of her f. four years-for four years?" so The merchants lips still remain' III closed.
 You look upon the Dreadnaught IS lost-and every one on board of he aS And John will never come back to II u again?" Il Andrew Hollister's eyes filled wi 'r- tears-they were his only response. T Mrs. Allaire's hands flew to her hea \ she reeled and would have fallen hi T not the merchant hastened to her sid Il He laid her tenderly upon the sol She had lost consciousness. The jal l s,, 4 r