The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1892-11-19
CHAPTER VI.
Dkn on Can vEAn

uraW aCLenulOn W IL.
1t will not be forgotten that while
Mrs. Allaire's own property figured up
but modest total, yet she was the sole
heir of her rich uncle, Edward Manson,
still leading life of retirement on his
vast estate of unclearcf land, banished,
SO to speak, to the r tst inaccessible
portion of the state of Tennessee.
This eccentric character was still under
the self-imposed ban of n life cut off
from the rest of the world. AS he was
not quite ninety years Of age it might
be necessary to wait long while for
his money. Nay, possibly he might
modify the testamentary disposition of
his property should he learn that Mrs.
Allaire, the sole relative left to him in
the direct line, had lost her reason
since the death of her child. But the
news of this double calamity had not
reached him; in fact, it was not possi-
BILE for it to reach him, so firmly re-
solved was he neither to write nor to
receive any letters. True, it would
have been possible for Lew Barker to
override this interdiction on the
ground of unforeseen changes in Molly's
understand that he was in duty bound
to communicate with Edward Manson;
but he had enjoined silence upon her
and taken good care not to follow her
advice.
The condition Of things was really
very simple. If Mrs. Allaire should die
childless this property would descend to
her cousin Kate, sole relative qualified
to take from her by inheritance. Hence
Lew Barker recognized the fact that by
the death of little Walt his wife's
chances of succeeding to the property of
Edward Manson had been materially
increased, and his wife's chances were
his own. In truth, 1t did seem as II the
stars had sought to turn the tide of this
enormous fortune toward him. Not
only was Molly's child dead, not only
had Molly lost her mind, but in the
Judgment of the physicians nothing
save the return of Capt. John would
be able to work any change in her men
tai condition.
For the fate of the Dreadnaught now
seemed almost sealed. If the next few
weeks should bring no tidings Of her, of
John Allaire, it would seem to mean an
eternal farewell to the Dreadnaught
and every soul on board of her. In that
event, there would be no one but poor
Molly, robbed of her reason, standing
between the fortune she was to inherit
and Lew Barker.
But in order that Mrs. Allaire should
inherit, it was necessary that she should
survive her uncle. 1t therefore became
Lew Barkers interest that the life of
this unfortunate woman should be pro-
longed until the estate of Edward Man
son had vested in her. There were now
but two chances against him: Molly's
death before that of the testator, or the
return of Capt. John, which latter
event was always possible in view Of the
fact that he might have been wrecked
on some desert isle; and yet very re-
motely possible, for 1t seemed but WIS.,
ionary not to regard as certain the total
loss Of the Dreadnaught.
Such was the position of Lew Barker.
Such the outlook for him and that, too,
at moment when he saw himself re-
duced to desperate eXpedients.
Anyway, there were as yet no signs
of any failure Of supplies at Prospect
cottage. And for this reason: After
Molly's lunacy had been judicially es-
tablished it had become necessary, In
the absence of her husband, to name a
committee of her person and estate.
Lew Barker, on the ground Of pro-
pinquity, seemed to be the natural
guardian and had consequently been
chosen. and in his capacity as such COM
mittee was vested with full control of
her estate. The money which Capt.
John had deposited to cover the ex-
penses of the house was at Barler's
disposal and he had made use Of 1t for
personal needs. 1t was, of course, an
inconsiderable sum, as the Dread
naught was only to be absent for five
or six months; but there was also Mol
ly's separate estate, and although II
only amounted to q few thousand dol
lars Lew Barker, by making use of 1t to
fight of pressing claims. would be able
70 gain time, and this was an essential
point for him.
Therefore this dishonest man didn't
hesitate to take advantage of his posi-
ton as guardian and appropriate the
property of his ward and relative to his
own use. Thanks to these trust funds
he was enabled to secure a brief respite
and to launch new schemes not a whit
less disreputable. Having once set foot
upon the highway which leads to crime,
Lew Barker would II necessary follow
| it to the end.
Moreover, the return of Capt. John
was now less and less to be feared.
| Week after week went by and Hollister
& Co. received no news of the missing
ship. But how had she persisted? Opin-
ions differed but little, although II
could be only a matter OF conjecture.
True it was that since the sailing of the
Dreadnaught several merchantmen
bound for the same port had necessarily
gone over the same course. Now, as
none of these had found any trace OF
her. there was nothing left but to &C
cept the most reasonable hypothesis
which was this: Overtaken by one Of
those dangerous hurricanes, those ire
sistible typhoons which often burst
upon the waters Of the Celebes, OF JAWS
sea, the Dreadnaught had gone dowr
with every soul ON board. On October
Is, 1875, 1t would be seven months since
the Dreadnaught had sailed out OF tn.
port of San Diego, and the conclusion
was irresistible that she would never en-
ter it again.
Andrew Hollister looked upon it as I
matter of duty to see that Mrs. Allaire
now she was robbed of her mental fac
ulties, should have all her material ne
cessities well provided for. He wa
aware that Capt John had before hi
departure set aside sum, based upoI
an absence of six or seven months
quite sufficient to cover all the expenses
of the house. But realizing now tina
this provision must be pretty nearl,
exhausted, and not being willing tina
Molly should fall burden to her rela
tives, he resolved to have an interview
with Lew Barker ON this subject.
On the afternoon of October II, al
though not yet in the very best o
health, the shipping merchant set ou
for Prospect cottage, and having
reached the heights of this quarter o
the city in due time, entered the from
gate of the villa. So far as the ey
went there was no change, except tina