The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-11
CHAPTER VIII
A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

fell from Mollys lips was how long sh,
had been out of her mind.
For two months" replied DR.. Brom.
ley, who was expecting the question.
Two months onlyl" she murmured
For IL seemed to her as if century had
gone by.
1.-Two monthsr' she continued. "John
can't be back yet, for it's only two
months since he sailed. Has he been
told that our poor little babe"
"Mr Hollister has written him." an.
swered DIR. Bromley. interruptinp her.
"And have they heard from the Dread.
uaught?"
She was told that Capt. John was
TO write from Singapore, but that the
letter had not yet arrived. But anyway.
according To the maritime reports. the
Dreadnaugbt ought to reach the Indies
very soon, and that they were now look
ing forward for cablegram TO that eff
feet. pn
Then came an inquiry as to the
absence Of Kate Barker, to which the
doctor replied that Mr.. and Mrs. Barker
were out of town and il was not known
exactly when they would be back.
To Andrew Hollister was ASSIGNED
che difficult task of informing Mrs
Allaire of the loss of the Dreadnaupht
but 1T was agreed that he should wait
until her mind had become strong
enough to bear the blow. For the next
ensuing fortnight Mrs. Allaire was not
permitted to hold any intercourse with
the outside world. Above all. were
they in her presence TO avoid every al
fusion to the past, every word or ex-
preston which might lead her TO dis
cover that four years had elapsed since
the death of her child, since Cant.
John had sailed away. For awhile.
anyway, 1t was necessary that for her
the year 1879 should be 1875.
1t was quite natural that Molly shouIa
Ieel longing, mingled with impatience,
70 receive Johns first letter. As the
was upon the point Of
'eaching Calcutta-if she was not al
'eady there-the captains wife was con-
tantly expecting to hear that Hollister
Co. had a cablegram TO that effect
lnen the eastern mail would soon ar
ave and she, the moment her strength
would permit, would write TO John.
LAS, how could she bring herself to
ell him what had happened. and that
90, In the very first letter which sbe
ad written to him since their mar
'age, as they had never been separated
efore the smiling of the Dreadnaueht
%, yes, this first letter would be n ter.
bly, sad onel
Mrs. Allaire's condition, mental and
iysicai, continued TO improve rapidly.
would soon be time for Andrew Hol-
ter 20 act Z
Molly now began letter TO John.
10 could no longer keep from TALKING
nm oi their child which he was G
yer again TO set eyes upon. She a
ured out all her sorrow in a letter 70 /
husband, letter which he was t
yer TO receive.
Mr' hoiiister took this letter. promis-
TO put IL with his own mail for tbs q
dies, and when this had been done. g
s. Alinire became somewhat calmer
ing now only in the anticipation of a "
'edy arrival of tidings, direct or in g
ect' OF the good ship Dreadnaught. re
however, this condition of affairs
I'D not last. Sooner or later. possi- fc
through their abundance of can la
a. Molly would learu what they al
no concealing from her. The more
gave herself up 70 the w
ught that she would soon re-
70 letter from John, that Ieverv w
that went by shortened Just SO ke
ch his absence from her, the more
-ible would be the fatal blow. A WI
versation which Molly and Mr.. Hol. we
er had ON June 20 only served to con- it9
this opinion. For the first time mt
~ had walked out into the little al,
len, and there Mr.. Hollister found be,
seated on bench In front of tho act
age steps. He sat down beside her
taking her hands in his pressed wa
affectionately. Mrs Allaire's mil
myth had returned rapidly of late.
oid-time deep rich colorinQ had sch
vn itseif once more, although her lea
were often wetted with tears. her
see that you are getting well fast. con
lear Molly" said Hollister; '.you are Hol
y doing finely" ceal
es. Mr.. Hollister," replied Mollv all.
, on, IL seems TO me that have Z"
N terribly old in these two fror
'hsl My poor John will find me will
tly changed. And then there will Bar
one but me to receive him-po ing
nut me-" NEE
'urage, my dear Molly, courage. mad
give way IN this manner. ing
snow; you're my daughter now and left
must obey me-" "A
ear Mr. Hollister- "N
q, that's something lilse~ You
on have sent the letter which 7 his. "
John, haven't you9" asked 'P
Mrs.
'rtainlyl and you must wait a re-. ha
'ith patience. The India mails nre herr'
delayed There, Molly, You are "Y
2 again; now please stopl" lister
ow can J., Mr.. Hollister. vb.rr Rar,,
OF evesything7 And wns I NO, claim
use Of Il, too?" Wiz,
}, no, poor little mother, moi God "Y
you severely, but he will apprc
end TO your sorrowl' have
dl' murmured Molly, God win tune.
81. -