White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-07-15

III IL hung ABOVE MS knees, and his SIN
envy hands laid upon his lap, with his
long, thin, pale fingers intertwined with
one another, and his sunken, meditative
eyes fixed upon the floor, his air was SO
stern that the maiden almost trembled
before him. Stiff as the quilts of the
fretful porcupine, his bristling hair griz-
zled with age, rose above his huge mas
sive forehead, which was deeply and
thickly furrowed with wrinkles. His face
was long, withered and darkened by
exposure his long and aquilihe nose
added determination and expression to
his features, while his full, projecting
neither lip gave additional harshness to
his countenance.
Dora gazed silently upon him for q
moment, and then advanced to the spot
where the old man sat. Hearing the
rustling of her dress, he turned suddenly
around, raised himself erect on his seat,
and fixed upon her his keen gray eye,
that twinkled suspicioUsly under the long
coal-black bushy brows that projected
over them.
al have heard, Mr.. Kerr, you were
extremely ILL.," said she advancing and
kindly extending her hand, and l have
come to visit YOU
The old man received her hand, while
his face relaxed somewhat of its stern
ness, and gently motioned her to a seat.
Dora took an arm chair opposite to him,
and made an effort to engage the old
man in conversation by kindly inquiries
as to his health and welfare. The old
man answered her inquiries courteously,
yet briefly, and it was not difficult to
see that some secret distrust of his visitor,
or the object connected Herewith, haun-
ed his mind, and rendered him the less
communicative.
mr. Kerr" said she at length, i
am told You know how to direct me on
my way to Marion's camp. Can you do
so %
The old man started wildly, and fixed
on her a gaze of wonder and suspicion,
while he glanced apprehensively towards
the door, as if fearing he had been be-
trayed to thetories.
Marion's camp !" calculated the old
man in surprise" who told you so %
lone moment, Mr.. Kerr, I beg you
will listen to me patiently" answered the
maiden in an earnest and appealing tone.
You cannot be ignorant of the gathering
of tories which is to take place within a
short distance of this place on to-mor-
row 2"
The old man held his peace. and Dora
continued, with her dark eyes fixed upon
him:
"Marion ought to be informed Of that. "
Kerr still continued silent.
Have you," she continued, "no
means of forwarding to him information
so important as this ?"
The old patriot groaned aloud, but
answered
What business is this of mine? II
Marion or any other gentleman wishes
information, think you it is my business
to embroil myself by mixing in his at
fairs. If he wishes to be informed of all
that is passing, think you not there are
spies and scouts enough in the. country.
already"
"But if his scouts are all taken ?''-
suggested Dora.
"All taken" exclaimed the old man
earnestly and wildly, while his eye began
to fash with interest" Where's-but
what do you know about it, my child
Speak % and he leaned over and gazed
earnestly upon her.
"Jamison is taken" replied Dora.
"Well WE'LL" asked Kerr impatient
Iy and eagerly" what next ?"
Ames is taken" she continued.
"Well well |" cried the old man,
unconsciousIy rising from his seat, while
his gtay.eye twiukled with fearful inter
est, and his hands were pressed nervously
a. together, "what of - never mind
tell me what more?''
"And Richbourg," she began
"What of Richbourg ?" he cried in a
tone of thunder.
els killed." she replied.
The old man sank upon his seat over
whelmed by powerful emotions. His lips
! grew livid from the violence of his ex-
citement. He had already been made
aware of the capture of Ames and Jami-
son, but he had still trusted that Rieh-
, bourg had escaped to bear the news oil
the tory gathering to Marion.
"All gone % he at length groaned
aloud, " and 1 only am LEFT, feeble, shat
tered and impotent for good. o, for a
half score hours of health and strength,
and I would then willingly lie down and
die !"
"Mr. Kerr" said Dora in a firm and
mistaken tone, "will you not trust me !
1 am on my way to Marion's camp will
you not lay aside your prudent distrust
and direct me thither %
"How knew you aught of my connec-
ton with Marion ?" inquired Kerr stern
/, lily. "Who told you that knew the
secret of his camp ?''
Listen to me patiently, my honored
/. friend, and 1 will tell you the whole sto-
" )" and without q momeHt's hesitation
she told him of the capture of Michael.
of the last nights conversation between
} them, and the motives which had induced
} the young wing to intrust her with the
secret of MArion's camp, which he held.
cit is the good providence Of God, "
! said the old man after he had heard her
5 story. " But do you think to go alone ~
! Altogether Alone" she replied. ~