The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-07

her faulty stretched chain.
Molly's whole soul went out In that
long, silent look. She was thinking OF
John, who had been borne away on a
ship which one might say was the
brother of this one, so much did they
resemble each other. Were they not
the children of the same house of IIol-
lister? Was not their home port the
same? Had their keels not been laid in
the same ship yard?
Yielding 70 the fascination of an illu-
sion, which her imagination under the
stimulus of recollection conjured up
for her, Molly was about to meet her
husband, he was there on board, await
ing her, he would wave his hand TO her
the moment he caught sight of her and
she would throw herself into his arms
With this, his name trembled on her
lips, she called him, he replied, repeat
ing her name again and again.
A slight outcry from her child broke
the spell, and she looked to see that 1t
was really the Flying Cloud they were
approaching, and not the Dreadnaught,
between her and which the broad Pacific
was rolling its many, many leagues.
another ship will be there in place
of this, some day| she murmured, turn
ing her gaze upon Mrs. Barker.
"Yes, dear Molly" replied Kate, sand
Il will be John who will be standing on
deck to receive u.s."
Mrs Barker understood very well
that vague anxiety oppressed her
cousins heart when she Intercepted
the future.
IL had taken the steam launch quar-
ter of an hour to cover the two miles be-
tween the wharf at San Diego and
Point Iona. The passengers made
their way TO the landing from which
the Flying Cloud was lying scarcely
cables length away.
There was one of the ships boats ly-
ing at the foot Of the stairway in charge
Of two sailors. Mrs. Allaire made her
self known to them. and the men an
nounced themselves in readiness to row
her over TO the ship. A few strokes
were sufficient to do this, and Capt.
Willis having recognized Mrs. Allaire
stepped to the gangway to receive her.
The captain conducted his guests to
the quarter deck while the mate con-
tinued the necessary preparations to
get the Flying Cloud Mt her dock in the
city.
Capt. Willis" said Mrs. Allaire, 'T'm
informed that you epoke the Dread
naught."
"Yes, madam" replied the captain,
'and I'm able TO assure you that she
II, oil
ported to Mr.. Hollister."
"And you saw him, you saw John?"
''The Dreadnarght and the Flying
Cloud passed each other close enough
for Capt Allaire and me to exchange q
few words"
"Yesl You have seen himl" said
Mrs. Allaire in IN undertone TO herself,
as IL the keen eyes of love had seen a
vision of the Dreadnaught projected
from the captains face.
Mrs. Baker then asked several ques-
.ions, to the reply 10 which Mollie lis
tened attentively, although her eyes
were turned seaward-toward the
distant horizon.
ION that day." continued Capt. Will
lis, "the weather seemed TO be very
favorable, and the Dreadnaught was
scudding along with every sail set.
Capt. John was on the quarter deck,
glass in hand. He had shifted his helm
to come alongside Of me, for I couldn't
change my course, being already so
close 10 the wind that my sails were al
most tapping"
II was evident that Mrs. Allaire did
not understand the precise meaning of
these terms made use of by Capt.
Willis. but she was sure Of one thing
that the man standing in front Of her
had seen John, had conversed with him,
for one instant.
"As we passed each other" said tho
captain, "your husband waved his hand
to me and shouted: Everything is going
all right, Willis; the moment you reach
San Diego give my love to my dear wife
Then the two ships separated and soon
passed out of each others sight,
"What day was II that you fell In with
the Dreadnaught?' asked Mrs. Allaire,
"March 23," replied Captain Willis,
'at twenty-five minutes past eleven
a. m"
Mrs. Allairc was so particular about
these details that the captain sent for
the chart and designated the exact
point at which the two vessels had
passed each other. 1t was las degrees
longitude west from Greenwich, and 90
degrees north latitude. In other words,
seventeen hundred miles west of San
Diego. II the weather should continue
favorable, and there was every reason
20 believe that II would at this season
of the year, Capt. John would surely
make quick and agreeable passage
across tho waters of the North Pacific.
And, further, as he was TO find a cargo
swatting him NJ Calcutta. his sojourn
in the capital Of the Indies would be
very Srief, and his return TO America
would be accomplished without any
delay.
At this moment the mate made his
appearance on the quarterback and In
formed the captain that they were
ready 10 get under way. The sailors
standing on the forecastle were only
awaiting the signal 20 break anchor.