Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-09-05
CHAPTER v.


by this double catastrophe-the drown |
ing of little Walt, the insanity of the |
captains wife. The reader already |
knows of the deep sympathy felt for |
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
since he had sailed, terrible calamity
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 reentered the harbor
no cheer would go up. She would be
received in dead silence.
But it would not do to await the re-
turn of John Allaire before telling him
Of the dread misfortune which had
overtaken him. Mr.. HOLSTER could not
for a moment think of leaving the
young captain in ignorance of what had
happened, at the risk of his coming &C
cidentally upon some fact or circum-
stance which might make known the
terrible truth to him. The only course
for the merchant to pursue was to send
dispatch to his correspondent at
Singapore In this way Capt. John
would be informed of the awful calami-
ty before his arrival in the Indies.
And yet Andrew HOLSTER desired to
delay the sending of this dispatch for a
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
tellect? Why strike John a double
blow by informing him Of the death of
his child and the insanity of his wife
if this insanity was not to be of long
| continuance?
After consultation with Lew and
Kate Barker, Mr.. HOLSTER resolved to
| delay action until the physicians should
make a 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 unfixing
of the mind. Hence a 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 u mild and gentle melancholy.
| Every remembrance of her terrible
misfortune had faded from her mind
Her eyes were fearless, her gaze dull
and listless. 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 it was expedient to place
her in a private hospital where she
could have special treatment. Mr..
Hollister took this view of the matter
and it would have been done had not
Lew Barker interviewed with another
proposition.
Seeking out Mr.. Rollister in his
private office, Lew Barker thus ad-
dressed him: at seems to be agreed
now that Molly's insanity is not of q
dangerous character, calling for he1
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 Kates supervision 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 certain hesitation in the
manner of the honest shipper as ht
l made reply, for there existed but httl'
= sympathy between him and Lew Bar
, lzcr, although he knew nothing at thi
| time of the mans entangled affairs, ant
l had no ground to suspect his honesty.
Since you are willing to assume thi
5 responsibility" replied Mr.. Hollister
, II don't see any objection, Mr.. Barker
to Molly's being intrusted to the car
2 | of her cousin. whose devotion canno
l for a moment be called into question.
"a DEVOTION" added Lew Barker
: (which will never be found wanting.
But as the man uttered these word
the listener caught that cold, unpleasant
matter-of-fact impression which Barke
found it impossible to rid himself of.
"Your proposition does you credit,
resumed Mr.. HOLSTER. However, on
It thing occurs to me. Iquestion whethe
your house in Fleet street, situated as
Is in the center of the noisy commerce.
Is quarter, would present conditions favor
t, able for poor Molly's recovery. VIVA
l. she needs is perfect quiet, pure air"
ID And therefore," interrupted Barke
y tour intention is to remove her to Pro
1T pect cottage and to take up our res
n deuce with her. Shells accustomed
he this villa and the sight of objects fami
te lar to her may exercise a salutary inf1'
m ence upon her mind. Mr.. HOLSTER, "
sr must leave undone nothing that migl
in any way tend to have wholeson
ID effect upon the mind of our unfortunaf
o. relative"
W A kindly feeling had evident
le prompted this reply. But why was
~ that the words of this man a0ors