Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-09-07

gate of the villa. So far as the eye
went there was no change, except that
the window blinds of the ground floor
and first story were tightly closed. 1t
had the air of an unoccupied house, ST.
lent and mysterious looking.
Mr.. HOLSTER rang the bell of the
outer door and waited patiently for
some one to appear; but no one came.
In fact, it seemed as if the caller had
neither been seen nor heard. Could it
be that there really was no one at home?
A second pull at the bell was followed
by the noise of opening a 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 I'M
noticed by him.
The girl now walked towards him,
but gave no sign of any intention of ad-
uniting him.
''Is Mrs. Allaire not at home9" he
asked.
"She has gone out, Mr.. HOLSTER"
answered Nanny, with a peculiar hest
tation in which there was visible ad-
mixture of fright.
"Why, where is Molly?" cried Mr..
HOLSTER in a tone of insistence.
''She has gone out walking with Mrs.
Barker"
81 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 homer"
81 don't know"
go and see; and if he is, say to him
that l 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 a frigid attempt at cordiality.
"In the absence of Kate, who has gone
out for stroll with Molly, shall have
to do the honors myself"
GLOW long before Molly will return?"
asked Andrew HOLSTER.
y before L1IuO, L dh-
swercd Barker.
Mr.. HOLSTER was evidently much dis
appointed, for it 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.. HOLSTER,
and I'm inclined to believe that this is
one of those cases beyond the reach of
all remedies"
THAT no one can say, Mr.. Barker.
What may seem utterly impossible tc
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 il
| all is" continued Mr.. Hollister, 'tha
We must now give up all hopes of evel
seeing Capt. John again. His return
would, | feel confident, have produced
a most happy effect upon poor Molly
mental condition. | suppose you are
aware, Mr.. Barker, that we have givcI
up all hope of ever setting eyes on thu
Drcadnaught aGain?'
81 was aware of it, Mr.. IIOlliStcr, ant
it is still another and greater calamit,
added to those that have gone before
And vet even without looking to Prov
idcncc to lend n hand in the matter,
he added in Il tone of irony sadly out o
place at such n moment, there woul'
be, to my mind, nothing eXtraordinar,
in Capt. Johns turning up again"
After seven months have passe'
without any tidings of the ship and il
the face of the fact that all my investi
cations have proven fruitless?"
"But there is nothing to show tina
the Drcadnaught went down in the ope
sea-" resumed Barker. May she no
have been wrecked on some of the rect
which are so plentiful in those ATTITUDES
Who knows that John and his GREY
have not taken refuge on some dese1
, island? And if that is the case sue
sturdy and stout-heartcd men will fin
some way Of getting back home agA.i1
Might they not build boat with tn
| fragments of their vessel? Would nc
q their signals be seen by any ships pas
9 ing near the island? And all thes
a things will take time, too. No. fc
= one don't despair of ever seeing job
= Again-if not in several weeks fro
now, why, then, in several months. Ho
:, many times have shipwrecked crew
been given up for lost, and they ha7
- come sailing into port after allp'
eyes," replied Mr.. HOLSTER. 81 kno
- there have been rescues, miraculo,
- ones, and have argued the thing O.
{, . to myself just as you have done. But
# have given up all hope, absolutely &
, hope. In any event, and this is VIII
"a has brought me to you to-day, I am u
~ willing that Molly should become a BIT
~ den to you"
y 'Oh, Mr.. Hollister!'
- mo, no, Mr.. Barker, and you mt
- permit me to continue the payment
9 Johns salary to his wife during her Ii
- time"
o. Gin her name I thank you," repli
| Lew Rarlxer sGYOur crenerOsitv-o