Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-15
CHAPTER XVIII
on uoauu Tuu uItfguANU

TO penetrate the wilderness OF central
Australia and continue on land the
search which had been 40 fruitlcss on
water, sho resolved under Inch's nd
vice 10 take passage the next day on tho
brisbane for Adelaide. A thorough
study OF the map OF Australia had con.
WINGED French that tho latter city Of.
fcred better facilities not only for ut
ting out tho expedition but also for
moro quickly reaching the center Of tho
continent where II was supposed that
Capt. John was held prisoner by some
Of the savage tribes which roam over
those almost limitlcss plains.
Luckily the brisbane was 10 sail the
next day at eleven n. m, and after
touching at Melbourne would reach
Adelaide August ~.
As Molly was sitting on the upper
deck In conversation with Zach, cabin
boy approached them TO ask, by order
OF tho captain, whether she were in
need of anything.
Nothing. my child" said Molly, 20
whom the boys voice seemed strangely
familiar. Suddenly IL occurred to
her where sho had heard II. For an in
slant tho eyes OF the two were fixed In
silence, but intcntly, scarchingly upon
each other.
MY boy" began Molly, did you cot
speak TO mo yesterday at the entrance
10 the Marine hospital2"
Eyes, madam" said the lad, with n
respectful sailor salute.
"You asked me II Capt John was
still among the living2"
"Yes, madam"
DO you belong TO the crew OF the
Brisbane?"
Eyes, | shipped on her year ago,
but my time Is almost up. | want 10
get away"
'What is your nnmeP"
Godfrey" replied tho lad as he
saluted and hurried away to report.
"Thcre is n true sailor lad for YOU"
said Zach as the boy disappeared, "und
I'll wager his father was u sailor be-
honest, wide-opcncd eyes, hear II in his
mild but manly voice"
ellis voice!" murmurcd Molly, ms the
music Of Its ring still sounded In her
ears. Her gaze was rivetcd upon the
graceful, slender figure ms IL disap-
pcarcd In the throng OF passengers and
crew.
French was not slow to guess the
meaning Of the troubled look that he
now saw on Mrs Allairc's face. Had
Walt lived he would have been lust
Godfrey's age, and the sight of this tall.
handsome boy filled tho wrctchcd
for words.
Zach" said she 10 French ms the lat.
ter babe her good night ut the cabin
door, Zach, want to know more about
that lad-who his family are and where
he was born, Perhaps he may not he
English"
Perhaps not" replied Zach. an in.
quire Of tho captain"
AS there wns 10 be delay Of thirty
six hours in Willinmstown hurbor Mrs
Allnire resolved to spend the time In the
city ofMclbournc, distant about mile
AS she was leaving the steamer In com.
pany with Zach, she caught n glimpse
Of Godfrey leaning on the forward rail
ing. His eyes were following her every
movement, and such IL look Of sadness
clouded his face and so invountarily did
he reach out as II 10 hold her back that
she WINS upon the point Of calling out,
"lm coming back, my child" but with
an effort she smothercd her feelings
and turned away.
When Mrs. Allaire returned on board
the following day Godfrey was on tho
lookout for her. lie took up his posi-
ton at the gangway and welcomed her
with a smile of almost girlish sweet
ness. but Zach frowned grimly as his
eyes fell upon the boy, for he was be-
coming apprehensive lest the lads pres.
cnce might exercise dangerous influ-
cnce upon Molly by reopening the ter
rible wounds Of past years However,
what excuse could he make for refusing
10 obey her request when on the fol.
lowing day Molly expressed wish TO
talk with the sailor lad? Hat In hand,
0odfrey came tmidly into Molly's pres
enee. Instinctively Zach felt that no
good could come OF these interviews, but
he determined not TO leave them alone
"My boy" began Mrs. Allaire as the
door of her stateroom closed behind
him, ~ want TO ask you some quos-
lions about your family. ] do 50 be-
cause I'm interested In you, because |
want To know more about you. Are
you willing TO tell me what you lsnow?'
Eyes, lady, very willingl' replied the
lad, as the color came into his cheeks,
and he glanced nervously at Zach, who
seemed TO him like some terrible ogre
ready 10 pounce upon him and tear him
away from the presence OF his fairy
princess.
'llow old are you?"
~ don't know, lady, exactly, but !
think ! must be about fourteen or AZ
teen"
Fourteen or fifteen" repeated Molly
with almost II sob. "And how long
have you been following the seaP"
~ first entered the service when |
was about eight years old as n ship boy,
but for two years now I've been regri-
lnrly apprenticed.'
ibid you ever make a long voynge?'
"Ics, lady, on the Pacific as far ms
Asia and on the Atlantic as far as Eu.
rope"
Are you English?"
mo, madam; I'm an American"
"liut how is 1t that you're serving on
an English steamer"
"The vessel which had shipped on
was sold when we reached Sidney, and
apding myself discharged, took this
bihet on tho brisbane until should get
a chavez to ship on an American YES
sci"
"You did well, my child" said Molly
Inalsing II sign TO Godfrey to come closer