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

The moment that stern bat honest
keeper was away from Moliy's side her
thoughts reverted 20 the sailor Ind who
had taken such a strong hold II her
heart. She had been careful no. %
breathe to Zach the fact Of her failure
to open the package delivered 70 her by
the old seaman. or to confess 10 him her
lack of courage TO do 50. Why should
she long TO ring the death lznell to the
first happiness that had come 70 her
after so many years OF sorrow2 OF one
thing She was thoroughly convinced.
however: No matter 70 whom the boy
belonged, he was no ordinary child. his
innate grace and gentleness. his in
stinctive refinement, proved this, = say
nothing of his handsome. hi-h-bred
features and honest. wide-opened eyes
Molly was firmly resolved not to give
him up What sunshine and joy would
he not bring TO their home when once
the full gentleness and nobility Of his
character had been brought ont by their
love and watchful care? How could
John help loving such a frank. manly
sailor lad? Yes, Godfrey would take
Walters place in that fathers heart. he
would help John to bear the awful lose
which awaited him on his return home
to San Diego.
Molly's mind was fully made up In
spite of the scowl which she knew only
too well would wrinkle the brow Of
honest Zach French when he heard of
il. she was resolved to adopt Godfrey as
her son, as Johns and her son, educate
him as such and surround him with all
the luxury and refinement which her
great wealth justified. When evening
came she sat down and wrote few
lines to the captain of the Brisbaue re-
questing him to send the sailor iad 20
her in the morning Summoning a
servant she placed the letter in his hand
and directed him to take it at once to
the captains hotel The man turned
away and had reached the street door
when he was aeeosted by n tall youth
dressed in the picturesque costume of
the Australian trapper, q corduroy
smock frocl belted at the waist, trunks
of the same material, leather leggins
and a broad -brimmed felt hat turned
gracefully up on one side A rifle was
slung across his shoulder and a revolver
and hunting knife suspended from his
belt. He rather timidly asked 70 see
Mrs. Allaire. and the man thinking him
to be some member of the expedition
sent with message from Farina Town,
where the leaders of the search party
were engaged in completing their final
preparations, at once conducted him to
Molly's rooms As he stepped into her
e rwfu 60.
recognize the sailor lad, such com
plete metamorphosis had his hunting
costume effected in his appearance. He
seemed so much taller. so much older.
The boy of fifteen had suddenly become
a man.
Molly stood, half dazed. with her
gaze riveted upon the handsome youth,
and such tumultuous rush Of thought
oppressed her mind as to rob her for a
moment of the power of speech God
frey took her silence to mean disap-
proval, and stammered out:
"Dear lady, don't be angry with me-
I.could not bear to let you go-alone-"
The stern-visaged Zach was not stand
ing there watching her; he was not
present to frown at what he deemed a
deplorable weakness at such a time
when all her strength of mind and body
were needed to crown their labors with
glorious triumph No, she was alone
with the boy, who had in so mysterious
a manner reused all the mothers love,
crushed, suppressed, dormant for so
many years. She was free to act out
her own tender, loving. impulsive self,
and with a loud cry of joy she sprang
forward and caught Godfrey in her
arms, and with the kisses she rained
upon him came hundred pet names
which she had not dared to utter in
Zach's presence. And now, too, these
almost mans arms for the first time
dared to clasp that form, so long be-
loved, nay, adored by the waif of the
Walter home.
Mother, mother" pleaded Godfrey,
don't leave me behind; take me with
you I'm big enough and old enough
to protect you. love you better than
all the others put together. I'll fight
for you, die for you il need be. Oh. let
me go with you, mother; let me help
find Capt John"
eyes, yesl Come with me, my darling
child" cried Molly, beside herself with
joy. BE ever by my side, just as my
own Walt would have done were he
alive nowl God hath sent you to me to
fill his place. cannot close my arms
against you; and, remember, when Capt.
John is found, you are TO be no longer
Godfrey, but Walter; You are to meet
him as you met me tonight, and to call
him father, as you did me mother. He
must not know that you are not the
child we lost in the dark waters of the
bay. Such news might end his life,
weakened as he must be by want and
privation-'
1T shall be rs you say, mother" cried
Godfrey. Trust me I'll be so good
to Capt. John that possibly he, too. may
learn to like me, yes, love me, In the
endl'
fro BE Continued