“Alas, nothing!” she cried, and the tears filled her eyes.
“No letter in which you are recognized?” he kindly asked.
Ah! Stay! Hope again rose within her soul. Quickly thrusting her hand into her pocket, she drew out a letter. Nervously she broke the seal, and glanced over its contents. A ray of sunshine came into her tear-bedimmed eyes, her bosom heaved for a moment, and then she became calm. Handing the letter to the captain, she said:
“The letter is to my aunt, in San Francisco, and was written by my father just before my departure.”
Captain Gordon took the letter, and, instantly recognizing the executive heading, slowly read:
“Washington, January 3, 2001.
“Dear Lora:
******
“She is the only daughter I have, sister, and you must watch over her carefully. We cannot afford to lose our Mollie.
******