The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-24
fBN JULES VERNE.

-uYou asked me II Capt John was
still among the living?"
"Yes, madam"
"Do you belong to the crew OF the
Brisbane?'
''Yes. | shipped on her a year ago,
but nv time is almost up. / want TO
get away"
What is your name?"
Godfrey" replied the lad as he
saluted and hurried away to report.
''There is true sailor lad for you,"
said Zach as the boy disappeared, land
III wager his father was a sailor be-
fore him. can see that in his clear.
honest, wide-opened eyes, hoar it in his
mild but manly voice"
"Uis voicel" murmured Molly, as tho
music of It's ring still sounded in her
ears. Her gaze was riveted upon the
graceful, slender figure as it disap-
peared in the throng of passengers and
crew.
French was not slow 10 guess the
meaning of the troubled look that he
now saw on Mrs. Allaire's face. Had
Walt lived he would have been just
Godfrey's age, and the sight of this tall,
handsome boy filled the wretched
mothers heart with sorrow too deep
for words.
Zach" said she to French as the lat
ter bade her good night at the cabin
door, Zach, want to know more about
that lad-who his family are and where
he was born. Perhaps he may not be
English"
Perhaps not" replied Zach, "rll In
quire of the captain"
AS there was TO be delay Of thirty
six hours in Williamstown harbor Mrs.
Alaire resolved 10 spend the time in the
city of Melbourne. distant about a mile.
As she was leaving the steamer in COM
pany with Zach, she caught glimpse
of Godfrey leaning on the forward rail-
ing. His eyes were following her every
movement, and such look of sadness
clouded his face and SO involuntarily did
he reach out as il TO hold her back that
she was upon the point of calling out:
"I'm coming back, my child" but with
an effort she smothered her feelings
and turned away.
When Mrs Allaire returned on board
the following day Godfrey was on the
lookout for her. He took up his posi-
ton at the gangway and welcomed her
with smile of almost girlish sweet
ness. But Zach frowned grimly as his
eyes fell upon the boy, for he was be-
coming apprehensive lest the lads pres
ence might exercise dangerous influ-
ence upon Molly by reopening the ter
rible wounds of past years. However,
what excuse could he make for refusing
to obey her request when on the fol-
lowing day Molly expressed n wish TO
talk with the sailor laa7 Hat In hand,
Godfrey came timidly into Molly's pres
ence. Instinctivoly Zach felt that no
good could come of these interviews, but
he determined not 10 leave them alona
my boy" began Mrs. Allaire as the
door OF her stateroom closed behind
him, 81 want TO ask you somc ques-
tions about your family. 1 do so be-
cause I'm interested in you, because l
want to know more about you. Arc
you willing to tell me what you knowP'
"Yes, lady, very willingv' replied the
lad, as the color came into his checks,
and he glanced nervously at Zach, who
seemed to him like some terrible ogre
ready to pounce upon him and tear him
away from the presence OF his fairy
princess.
"Iow old are your
81 don't know, lady, exactly, but /
think must be about fourteen or ff-
teen"
Fourteen or fifteenr repeated Molly
with almost sob. "And how long
have you been following the seaY'
II first entered the service when l
was about eight years old as a ship boy,
but for two years now I've been 'rcgu-
larly apprenticed."
''Did you ever make long voyage"'
"Yes. lady, on the Pacific as far as
Asia and on the Atlantic as far as Eu-
rope"
"Are you EnglishP'
"No, madam; I'm an American"
But how is IL that you're serving on
an English steamer"
"The vessel which had shipped on
was sold when we reached Sidney, and,
finding myself discharged, / took this
billet on the Brisbane until should get
chance 10 ship on an American YES
sol"
"You did well. my child" said Molly,
making a sign TO Godfrey to come closer
to her.
And now tell me where you were
born"
"At San Diego, madam"
'San Diego?' repeated Molly. without
manifesting tho slightest surprise at the
boys answer. II would seem as IL she
had known intuitively what Godfrey''
answer would be.
With look of mingled surprise ant
pain ia them Zach French's eyes wan
derod from the pale, beautiful woman
seated on the sofa before him TO the
sweet, almost girlish face of tho sailor
lad. whose dark olive skin glowed with
n rich color as he kept his gaze fastened
upon tho features Of the lady in front o1
him. Something almost like groar
escaped Zach's lips.
"Yes, lady, In San Diego" continued