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

ing already In position, this null with
its complex outlines, this deck pierced
by the broad matches for loading and
unloading, these masts lying on the
ground biding their time 10 be placed
in position, tho interior arrangements,
the crews quarters, tho quarter deck
and Its cabins-was not all this suf-
ficient 10 interest her? Was II not her
husbands life and the life Of his com
panions which the Drcadnaught would
shield from and defend against the gales
OF the Paciflc2 Hence there was not q
single plank which in Molly's imagina-
ton John might not In some emergency
stand In need OF for the safety OF his
life; nor did n blow OF a hammer re-
sound amidst all tho noise and turmoil
OF that shipyard which did not find an
echo In her heart.
John took pleasure in initiating her
In the mysteries Of the work. pointing
out the destination OF each piece OF
metal, explaining 10 her the vessels
speed as indicated by the plan OF con-
struction. Molly learned 10 love this
ship Of which her husband was TO be the
soul and next 10 God the masterl
The house occupied by John Allaire
stood upon one OF tho loftiest terraces
Of tho heights which shut In the north
side OF the bay. II was a sort Of Swiss
cottage, surrounded by garden contain
ing orange and olive trees and shut In
by plain wooden fence. A ground floor
with a veranda In front, upon which
opened the front door and the windows
" the parlor and dining-room, n second
tory with balcony extending Its en-
tire length, and above this the gable
end, the sloping rnfters Of which were
richly carved-such was this very sim.
pie but very attractive hhbitation. The
parlor and dining-room, rnodcstly fur
nished, occupied the ground floor, above
them were two rooms, Mrs. Allairc's
and one devoted 10 the comfort OF little
Walt; in the rear there was u small an
mex used for the kitchen and the serv.
ants This was the home in which the
captains wife must now face the long
hours OF absence The babys nurse
and one servant were It's only other oc-
cupants. Tho only visitors were Mr..
and Mrs Barker, tho husband rarely,
the wife frequently.
Mr.. Andrew Ilollister, Us he had
promised, often called TO see the young
wife. being anxious 10 carry her any
ncws OF tho Dreadnnught which might
reach him directly or Indirectly. Before
any letters can reach their destination
the maritime Journals contain lists OF
vessels spoken, their touching ut this
port or that or any other happenings at
SEQ which might be OF interest 10 ship
pers. Molly would therefore be kept
well posted.
Tho first few days were specially
heavy and sad. Molly could not bring
herself to leave the house. Kate Barker
went daily 10 visit her, and the two
women lavished their attentions on lit
tie Walt and talked about Capt. John.
Ordinarily, when she was alone, Molly
passed part Of the day on the balcony
Of her cottage. Her gaze was turned
seaward over the bay and far beyond
the Coronado islands The line OF the
horizon did not limit her vision; she
saw beyond II, for had not the Dread
naught already passed far beyond it2 In
thought she passed on board the ship,
she stood by her husbands side. At
this moment n vessel appeared In the
ofing and stood In towards tho bay
and Molly thought 10 herself how the
Dreadnnught would be sighted in this
way some day and how she would loom
up us she neared land, and how John
would be standing by the ships side,
glass In hand.
The time now came when little Waits
health might suffer from his being kept
cooped up too much indoors. Tho
weather became particularly fine the
second week after Capt Johns depar-
ture, and a cool breeze tempered the In
creasing heat Mrs. Allairo brought
herself 10 emerge from her retirement,
and on these little excursions was nc.
companied by the nurse carrying the
baby
In this way on one occasion they mad,
IN excursion 70 Knob hill, the site Of
many villas, from which point one may
look out TO sea far beyond the islands
At another time they betools themselves
to Coronado beach, where the sea roll
In angrlly and breaks on the shore with
the noise of thunder, and here they Wis
tied the mussel beds, where Mt high tid'
the spray covers the beautiful rocky
formations Of the coast at this point
Molly set her foot In the way OF wav,
that crept bubbling and ripping up OF
the beach; she touched this mysteriou
ocean that seemed to whisper 10 her o
distant waters In which John was sail
ing. this ocean whose pillows were n
that moment beating against tho Dread
naught now waited thousands of mile
away. She stood there motionless, tn
young captains ship plainly visible h
her wrought-up imagination, while he
husbands name trembled on her lips.
Towards ten o'clock ON the morning
Of March 80, while seated upon the bal
cony OF Prospect cottage, Mrs. Affair
saw her cousin approaching the house
Kate quickened her pace and waved he
hand In friendly way rs u TO assur
the captains wife that she was not tn
bearer Of any bad news. Molly hastene
down 10 the door.
"What is II, Katep" she asked.
"Dear Molly" replied Mrs. Barker
you'll be rejoiced when you hear tn
news that bring, Mr.. HOLSTER send
me 10 tell you that the Flying Clou
which entered the bay this mornin
spoke the Dreadnaught."
1.-THE Dreadnaughtl"
"Yes. Mr.. HOLSTER had Just n
ceived the information when he met m
in Fleet street and as he would not b
able 10 call until afternoon, hurrie
here as fast as possible"
"Thcn there is really news frol
John7"
Eyes. dear Molly A week ago III
Dreadnnnoht and the ElYinp Cloud fe