Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-04-06

lutely with the management OF his
house. How often had Kate been made
10 feel the weight OF this domincering
sway, which was pushed Mt times TO
dsrespect. But she bowed 20 this
tyranny on Nanny's pnrt as she did 10
that exercised by her husband. In her
resignation, which was but another
name for weakness, she let things go as
they might, and Nanny took no counsel
with her In relation TO the management
Of house affairs.
As Kate turned 10 leave the house the
mulattress cnjoined upon her the ne
cessity OF reaching home before midday,
as Lew would soon return, and IL would
not do TO keep him waiting. Besides,
there was an important matter Of
which he wished TO speak TO Mrs. Al
lairc.
"what does she refer TOP" asked
Molly OF her cousin.
"Ilow should know" replied Mrs.
Barker. Come, Molly, let's be off,"
There was no time TO be lost. Mrs.
Allaire and Kate Barker, accompanied
by the nurse and child, turned their steps
toward the wharf which they reached
In less than ten minutes.
The Flying Cloud which had now,
passed through the formalities OF quar-
antine, had not yet been docked, but lay
at anchor at the farther end of the bay,
n cables length inside OF Iona point.
II would, therefore, be necessary 20
cross the bay 20 go on board the vessel,
which would not DO hauled up TO the
dock until later. 1t was about two
miles across and the passage was effect
cd by means Of steam launches, which
made half-hourly trips.
Molly Allnire and Kate Barker tool,
seats in the steam launch along with n
dozen other passengers. Most Of them
were friends or relatives of the crew Of
the Flying Cloud who wished TO avail
themselves of the first opportunity Of
fcrcd TO visit the ship. The launch cast
off its lines, got clear of the wharf, and,
under the action Of its screw, took an
oblique course across the bay, putting
steam ut every stroke Of its piston.
With its placid surface mirroring the
feecy clouds and blue Sky, the bay was
now visible its entire length, with the
houses of San Diego rising amphithcn-
ter like up the heights, and the old city
at tho bottom of the narrows lying be-
tween Island point and Point Iona;
the huge Coronado hotel standing out
boldly with its palace-lilsc architecture,
and the lighthouse whose lantern sheds
its broad glow over the sea after night
fall.
There were n number OF vessels an
chorcd here and there, Of which the
launch slillfully stored clear, rs she
did Of the boats coming towards her,
and OF the fishing smaclis that were
hugging the wind TO lengthen their
tack.
Mrs. Allaire, with her cousin next her,
was seated on one OF the deck benches
while on the other side OF her sat the
nurse holding little Walt, who, under
the influence Of the fresh sea air, was
In the best Of spirits, and followed
with wondering eyes the movements Of
the sea gulls as they sailed over his
head, uttering their shrill cries. His
mother was delighted with the look OF
perfect health stamped upon that sweet
little face, and bent over several times
10 kiss IL, being each time rewarded
with n smile.
But Molly's attention was soon at
tracted by catching sight OF the Flying
Cloud. Lying somewhat away from
the other vessels, the threcmaster
loomod up In full view at the other end
Of tho bay with her colors radiant IN
the morning sunlight. She was swing
ing with the tide, her head turned To
the westward, and the subsiding waves
OF the ocean swell were breaking against
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 llol'
listcr2 Was not their home port the
same? Had their lSeels not been laid In
the same ship yardP
Yielding 10 the fascination of an illu
sion, which her imagination under the
stimulus OF recollection conjured NJ
for her, Molly was about to meet hei
husband, he was there on board, await
ing her, he would wave his hand TO hel
the moment he caught sight Of her ant
she would throw herself into his arms
With this, his name trembled on hcI
lips, she called him, he replied, repeat
ing her name again and again.
A slight cutlery from her child brok'
the spell, and she looked to see that 4
was really the Flying Cloud they wer'
approaching, and not the Dreadnaught
between her and which the broad Paciii,
was rolling It's many, many leagues.
Another ship will be there in place
of this, some dayl" she murmured, turn
ing her gaze upon Mrs. Barker,
Eyes, dear Molly" replied Kate, "anC
II will be John who win be standing oil
deck 10 receive u.s."
Mrs. Barker understood very wei
that vague anxiety oppressed he
cousins heart when she interrogate'
|, the future.
II had taken the steam launch quar-
ter of an hour to cover the two miles be
: tween the wharf at San Diego ant
Point Iona. The passengers mad
} their way 10 the landing from whicl
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 charg
Of two sailors Mrs. Allairc made her
self known TO them, and the men an
} nounoed themselves In readiness TO ROY
! her over 10 the ship. A few stroke
were sufficient 10 do this, and Capt
: Willis having recognized Mrs, Affair
I stepped TO the gangway TO receive her
) The captain conducted his guests I
| - n. A. 4.