Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-04-13

termined upon.
The first definite report OF the physi.
clans was TO the effect that Molly's in
sanity would be likely TO take the form
Of mild and gentle melancholy
Every remembrance Of her terrible
misfortune had faded from her mind.
Her eyes were fearless, her gaze dull
and lstlcss She seemed 20 see moth.
ing, 10 hear nothing She was no
longer Of this world. Her life was
mere physical existence.
Such was the condition OF Mrs
Allairc during the first month follow.
ing tho accident. The question now
arose whether II was expedient TO place
her In private hospital where she
could have special treatment Mr..
HOLSTER took this view Of the matter
and II would have been done had not
Lew barker INTERVIEWED with another
proposition.
Seeking out Mr.. HOLSTER In his
private office, Lew Barker thus id
dressed him. at seems 10 be agreed
now that Molly's insanity Is not Of n
dangerous character, calling for her
confinement. and since she has no other
family excepting us we ask that she be
confdcd 10 our care Molly was de-
votedly attached TO my wife, and, who
knows, possibly Kate's supervision Of
her may be productive OF better re-
suits than that of total strangers.
should any symptoms Of a critical ma
ture show themselves II would be time
enough then 10 take any necessary
steps. Don't you think so, Mr.. Hollis
ter2'
There was certain hesitation in the
manner Of tho honest shipper as ho
made reply, for there existed but little
sympathy between him and Lew Bar
her, although no knew nothing at this
time OF the mans entangled affairs, and
had no ground TO suspect his honesty.
"Since you are willing TO assume this
responsibility. replied Mr.. HOLSTER,
II don't see any objection, Mr.. Barker,
TO Molly's being intrusted TO the care
OF her cousin. whose devotion cannot
for a moment DO called into question"
IA DEVOTION" added Lew Barker,
(which will never be found wanting"
But us the man uttered these words
the listener caught that cold, unpleasant,
mattcr-of-fact impression which Barker
found II impossible to rid himself of.
"Your proposition does you credit"
resumed Mr.. HOLSTER. "llowcvcr, one
thing occurs TO me. Iqucstion whether
your house in Fleet street, situated as IL
is In the center Of the noisy commercial
| quarter, would present conditions favor.
able for poor Mollys recovery. What
she needs is perfect quiet, pure air"
"And therefore," interrupted Barker,
"our intention Is 10 remove her TO Pros
| pect cottage and 10 take up our resi-
| dence with her She Is accustomed TO
this villa and the sight Of objects famil-
| lar TO her may exercise n salutnry inlu.
ence upon her mind. Mr.. Ilollistcr, we
must leave undone nothing that might
In any way tend 10 have n wholesome
effect upon the mind OF our unfortunate
relative"
A kindly feeling had evidently
prompted this reply But why was II
that the words of this man seemed
powcrlcss 10 inspire confidence? How
ever, his proposition under the circum-
stances called for immediate acceptance,
and Mr. HOLSTER could not do less than
express his thanks 10 Barker, adding
that John would be profoundly grato-
/ full 10 him.
On April 81 Mrs. Allairo was removed
/ 10 Prospect cottage, where Kate and
Lew Barker took up their residence
that same day, which action on their
part called forth general approval
! IL Is easy to guess what motive was
actuating Lew Barker. The fact should
not be lost sight Of that on the very
| day Of the disaster he had intended TO
confer with Molly concerning n certain
business matter, which was nothing
more or less than proposition for her
TO loan him n certain sum of money.
But since then the situation had
changed completely II was more than
likely that Barker would in his capacity
us guardian Of the person and estate of
his relative have full control Of her
property, and in that case he would be
able TO provide himself with funds
Illegally, IL Is true, but II would enable
him 10 gain time. Kate had already
had presentiment that such would be
his course, and while she rejoiced at be-
ing able TO devote herself wholly 10 her
cousin, she trembled Mt thought of the
projects which her husband, under
cover of benevolencc and humanity,
would attempt to carry out.
Such were the conditions under which
a new existence now began at Prospect
cottage. From now on Lew Barker re-
tanned his customary business habits,
going down TO his Office every morning
and applying himself TO schemesin hand
but close observer might have noted
that he never failed 10 return 10 Pros.
pect cottage for the evening, and that
II was not long before his absences
from the city became rarer and rareI
and briefer and briefer.
II need hardly be added that Nanny
the mulattress, had followed her master
TO his new home, where shewas des
tined 10 become, what she had been
everywhere and at all times, TO wit, q
creature upon whose devotion he could
depend In the most absolute sense OF
tho word. Little Waits nurse had beer
discharged although she had offered tc
devote herself TO the care OF Mrs. Al
laire. The other servant was provis
ionally retained Mt the cottage, for Nan
NY would have found II quite out of the
question TO do all the work Of the house
hold.
Lew Barker no doubt had In mind the
fact that all those who were interested
In Mrs Allaire's condition would con
slider it a most fortunate thing that sh,
should be in her cousins care. Mr.. An
drew HOLSTER himself WINS forced u