The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-13

sin reference TO what, madamp"
Molly had sat down and was holding
her hand pressed against her forehead
as if TO collect her thoughts.
"You had a sailor in your employ.
ment," said Molly. "by the name Of
Zach French, did you not. sir?"
"Yes, madam" replied the employe,
"but the man didn't remain very long
with us, however. ] knew him very
we'll"
"IIe was the one, wasn't he, who
rislSed his life to save a woman, an un-
fortunate mother"
"Yes, yes, / remember 1t was Mrs
Allaire-yes, he was the man."
Sand he is at sea now?"
"Yes. madam"
"What vessel did he ship on?"
"The three-master Colder Gate"
''Of San Diego?"
mo, madam; of San Francisco"
"What port did he sail for?"
"Various European ports"
A feeling of exhaustion came over
Molly and she sat in silence for a mo-
ment or SO, while the employe stood
waiting for her to continue.
Zach French's home is in San Diego,
isn't itp''
"Yes, madam"
"Could you tell me where his family
live?"
I've always been told that Zach
French was alone in the world don't
think he has any relatives, either in San
Diego or elsewhere"
"Then he was not a married man?"
"No, madam"
There was no reason for doubling the
correctness of the replies made by this
man TO whom Zach French was SO well
known. So for the pre"Ssst there was
nothing TO be done, since the man had
no family, except for Mrs Allaire TO
await the return of the Golden Gate to
America.
"Could you tell me how long Zach
French's voyage will be likely to last?"
asked Molly.
81 could not, madam. The Golden
Gate was chartered for long cruise"
81 am greatly obliged to you, SIR"
said Mrs. Allaire. IL should have liked
very much to see Zach French, but it
will no doubt be long while"
"Yes, madam"
However, isn't IL possible that there
may be news of the Golden Gate in
few months, few weeks?"
"News?" repeated the employees "No
doubt the San Francisco house to which
the vessel belongs has received news
from her several times already"
"Already?"
"Yes, madam"
Several times?"
AS she repeated these words, Mrs.
Allaire had risen and stood looking the
man in the face as if his words had
been unintelligible to her.
Here, madam" said the employe.
holding out journal "Here's a copy
Of the Shipping Gazette. 1t contains
an announcement that the Golden Gate
left Liverpool n weel; Ego"
"a week agor murmured Mrs. AL.
laire, taking the papyr i her trembling
hand. How long i, Zach French
been gomez" she asked in n voice SO lit
tie above a whisper that the man could
scarcely catch it.
ABOUT clgntcen months"
Eighteen months?"
Molly was obliged to support herself
by leaning against the wall. Her heart
had ceased to beat, and there was a looI,
OF terror in her eyes as they suddenly
fell upon n poster on which was printed
the arrivals and departures of the steam
launches for the summer season. At
the head of this notice stood the date:
March, 1879.
March, 1921 They had deceived her. r.
was four years since her child had been
drowned; four years since John had set
sail for the Indies. She had therefore
been out Of her mind for these four long
years! And il Mr.. Hollster and Dr.
Bromley had allowed her TO believe
that she had only been deranged for
the short space of two months it must
have been for the purpose of conceal
ing the truth about the Dreadnaught-
II must be that for four years they had
no tidings of either Capt John or his
ship
To the CONSERVATION Of the employe.
Mrs. Allairc seemed about 20 succumb
to some sudden ailment; but with a SUI
perhuman effort she recovered possess
sion of herself, and, dashing out of tho
Office, hurried along from one street to
another.
Those who met this woman with her
wild eyes and pallid face could not do
otherwise than regard her as an escaped
lunatic.
And IL she was not what they thought |
her 10 be would IL not be mere cues,
ton of time? Whittier was she hurry
ing2 II was in the direction of the Of |
fees Of Hollistcr Il Co, where she ar
rived in few minutes without know
ing how. She crossed the outside Office.
fitting by the astonished clerks who |
had no chance 90 detain her. and pushed |
open the door of the shipping merchants
private Office.
Andrew HOLSTERS astonishment at
seeing Mrs. Allairc quickly gave place
10 dismay upon glancing at her drawn
her deadly pallor