Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-09-23
THE CALIFORNIANS,
By JULES VERNE.
Copyright 1891 by the Authors Alliance.

SSRy ASNN "
 Morly's mind was fully made up. In spite of the scowl which she knew only too we'll would wrinkle the brow of honest Zach French when he heard of it, 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 just(ied. When evening came she sat down and wrote a few lines to the captain of the Brisbane re- questiug him to send the sailor lad to her in the morning. Summoning Q servant she placed the letter in his hand and directed him to take 1t at once to the captains hotel. The man turned away and had reached the street door when he was accosted by n tall youth dressed in the picturesque costume of the Australian trapper, a corduroy smocll frock belted at the waist, trunks of the same material, leather leggins and broad -brimmed felt hat turned gracefully up on one side. A rife was slung across his shoulder and a revolver and hunting knife suspended from his belt. He rather timidly asked to see Mrs. Allaire, and the man thinking him to be some member of the expedition sent with n 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 presence, it required n second glance to recognize the sailor lad, such com plcte mctamorphosis had his hunting costume effected in his appearance. He %ol The boy of fifteen had suddenly become man.
 Molly stood, half dazed, with her gaze riveted upon the handsome youth, and such a tumultuous rush of thought oppressed her mind as to rob her for Q moment of the power of speech. God frey took Ter silence to mean disap- proval, and stammcred out:
 "Dear lady, don't be angry with me. could not bear to let you go-alone-"
 The stern-visaged Zach was not stand ing there watching hor; he was not present to frown at what he deemed O deplorablc weakness at such a time when all her strength of mind and body were needed to crown their labors with glorious triumph. No, sho was alone with the boy, who had in SD mysterious a manner rouscl 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 n loud cry of joy she sprang forward and caught Godfrey in her arms, and with the kisses she rained upon him came a 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, adorcd 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 if need be. Oh, let me go with you, mother; let me helT find Capt. John."
 "Yes, yes! Come with me, my darling child," cried Molly, beside herself witt Joy. "Be ever by my side, just as my alive now! God hath sent you to me tc fill his place. l cannot close my arm' against you; and, remember, when Capt John is found, you are to bc no longer Godfrey, but Walter; you are to mee him as you met me tonight, and to cal him father, as you did me mother. H. must not know that you arc not tn, child we lost in the dark waters of tn, bay. Such news might end his life weakened as he must be by want anC privation."
 Ut shall be as you say, mother" cric' Godfrey. Trust me I'll be so goo,
 to Capt, John that possibly he, too, ma. learn to like me, yes, love me, in tn
 end"'