The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-09
CHAPTER VI.
END OF A SAD YEAR


This series of misfortunes to which
.he Allaire family had fallen victim
placed Lew Barker in such peculiar
position that il becomes necessary To
draw attention to it.
1t will not be forgotten that while
Mrs. Allaire's own property figured up
but modest total, yet she was the sole
heir of her rich uncle, Edward Manson,
still leading life of retirement on his
vast estate of uncleared land, banished,
SO to speak, to the most inaccessible
portion of the state % Tennessee.
This eccentric character was still under
the self-imposed ban of life cut off
from the rest of the world. AS he was
not quite ninety years of age it might
be necessary to wait long while for
his money. Nay, possibly he might
modify the testamentary disposition of
his property should he learn that Mrs.
Allaire, the sole relative left to him in
the direct line, had lost her reason
since the death of her child. But the
news of this double calamity had not
reached him; in fact, it was not possi-
bic for 1t to reach him, so firmly re-
solved was he neither 20 write nor to
receive any letters. True, it would
have been possible for Lew Barker to
override this interdiction on the
ground of unforeseen changes in Molly's
civil status and Kate had given him to
understand that he was in duty bound
to communicate with Edward Manson;
but ne had enjoined silence upon her
and taken good care not to follow her
advice.
The condition Of things was really
very simple. II Mrs. Allaire should die
childless this property would descend TO
her cousin Kate, sole relative qualified
TO take from her by inheritance. Hence
Lew Barker recognized the fact that by
the death Of little Walt his wife's
chances of succeeding to the property Of
Edward Manson had been materially
increased, and his wifes chances were
his own. In truth, it did seem as IL the
stars had sought TO turn the tide of this
enormous fortune toward him Not
only was Molly's child dead, not only
had Molly lost her mind, but in the
Judgment of the physicians nothing
be able to work any change in her men,
tai condition.
For the fate Of the Dreadnaught now
seemed almost sealed. II the next few
weeks should bring no tidings Of her, OF
John Aliaire, IL would seem TO mean an
eternal farewell to the Dreadnaught
and every soul ON board of her. In that
event, there would be no one but poor
Molly, robbed of her reason, standing
between the fortune she was to inherit
and Lew Barker.
But In order that Mrs. Allaire should
inherit, il was necessary that she should
survive her uncle. II therefore became
| Lew Barker's interest that the life of
this unfortunate woman should be pro-
longed until the estate of Edward Man
son had vested in her. There were now
but two chances against him: Molly's
death before that of the testator, or the
return Of Capt. John, which latter
event was always possible in view of the
fact that he might have been wrecked
! on some desert isle; and yet very re-
motely possible. for IT seemed but Wis
ionary not TO regard as certain the total
loss of the Dreadnaught.
Such was the position of Lew Barker.
Such the outlook for him and that, too
at a moment when he saw himself re-
duced 10 desperate expedients.
Anyway, there were as yet no signs
Of any failure OF supplies at Prospect
cottage. And for this reason: After
Molly's lunacy had been judicially es
tablished IL had become necessary, In
the absence OF her husband, 10 name q
committee of her person and estate
Lew Barker, on the ground Of pro
| pinquity, seemed 10 be the natural
guardian and had consequently beer
chosen, and in his capacity as such com
mittee was vested with full control oi
her estate. The money which Capt
John had deposited 10 cover the ex
penses Of the house was nc Barler''
disposal and he had made use of IL fol
personal needs ft was. of course, ar
inconsiderable sum, as the Dread
naught was only 70 be absent for fiv,
or six months; but there was also Mol
lys separate estate, and although II
only amounted toe few thousand dol
lars Lew Barker. by making use of IL u
fght of pressing claims. would be able
TO gain time, and this was sn essential
point for him