The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-08


she needs is perfect quiet, pure air"
sand therefore" interrupted Barker,
"our intention Is TO remove her TO Pros
pect cottage and to take up our resi-
dence with her. She Is accustomed TO
this villa and the sight of objects famil-
inr to her may exercise salutary infiu-
ence upon her mind. Mr.. Hollister, we
must leave undone nothing that might
In any way tend 20 have a wholesome
effect upon the miad of our unfortunate
relative"
A kindly feeling had evidently
prompted this reply. But why was 10
that the words of this man seemed
powerless TO inspire confidence? How
ever. his proposition under the circum-
stances called for immediate acceptance,
and Mr.. Hollister could not do less than
express his thanks to Barker. adding
that John would be profoundly CRATE
full to him.
On April 81 Mrs. Allaire was removed
20 Prospect cottage, where Kate aNd
Lew Barker took up their residence
that same. day, which action on their
part called forth general approval.
1t 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 a certain
business matter, which was nothing
more or less than a proposition for her
TO loan him certain sum of money.
But since then the situation had
changed completely. It was more than
likely that Barker would in his capacity
as 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, it is true. but it would enable
him TO 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 TO her
cousin. she trembled at thought of the
projects which her husband, under
cover of benevolence and humanity.
would attempt to carry out.
Such were the conditions under which
n 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 schemes in hand;
but close observer might have noted
that he never failed to return TO Pros
pcct cottage for the evening, and that
IL was not long before his absences
from the city became rarer and rarer
and briefer and bricfer.
II need hardly be added that Nanny,
the mulattrcss, had followed her master
to his new home, where she,was des-
tined to become, what she had been
everywhere and at all times, TO wit. a
creature upon whose devotion he could
depend in the most absolute sense of
the word Little Waits nurse had been
discharged although she had offered to
devote herself to the care of Mrs. AL
laire. The other servant was provis-
ionally retained at the cottage, for Nam
ny would have found il 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 most fortunate thing that she
should be in her cousins care. Mr.. An
drew Hollister himself was forced to
acknowledge that she could not be in
better hands Whenever he called he was
careful 10 note whether there was any
tendency to improvement, for he still
INDUCED the hope that he might not be
called upon to announce to Capt. John
by cable to Singapore or to Calcutta the
double misfortune-the death Of his
child and of-for was she not dead, too?
And yet five weeks had now gone by |
and there had not flashed single glim- |
mer of intelligence through that men
tai gloom. In the presence of this calm,
mild, Indifferent condition, UNMARRIED by |
any physiological disturbance, the ply |
sicians seemed to lose all hope, and il
was not long before they discontinued
their visits.
Whenever Lew Barker for some rea-
son or other was obliged to be absent
for day, the mulattress had orders to
keep a close watch upon Mrs. Allaire.
Without appearing in any way to inter-
fere with Kate, she took good care TO
leave her rarely OF never alone with
Molly, and to report faithfully TO her
whatever she had observed In
Molly's condition. She showed great
in getting rid of people who
ZANE to inquire about the captains
wife. She assured them that the doc
.ors had ordered that no callers should
DO admitted, that absolute quiet was
necessary, that the sound of a strange
'oice might bring on fit of violence.
And Mrs. Barker herself was inclined to
'ide with Nanny when the latter thus
rot rid Of callers whom possibly nothing
,ut idle curiosity brought to Prospect
cottage. In this way the captains wife
became isolated from the
world.
Poor Molly" thought Kate. eff her
grows worse, if her lunacy
oses its mid character and she becomes
ubject 10 outbursts. they will take her
way from me, they will shut her up in
n asylum and she will be lost TO me!
III, no. God grant tha, this may not
appen. Who could possibly care for
er with the same devotp,n as IT,"