White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-02-11
WHITE CLOUD, KANSAS, THURsDAY, FEBRUARY II, N858.

were in dream. But the shouts Of pursaers
and the rapid tread Of hoofs convinced him O
the reality, and plying voice and spur, he zen
onward at slashing pace, now and then look
ing behind to see if the dragons gained OF
him.
There is something ineKpressibIy still and re
freshingin an old deserted road, winding through
cool pine forest. The tall trees tapping over
head, the thick carpet of glittering leaves be
low, and the delicious fragrance all around, hav,
always been charm for MS: and Preston eel
ii 50, especially after the fierce excitement o.
that life and death struggle; and so when ht
came to little dark stream, gliding softly acros:
the road, he longed to stop and battle his throb.
bling temples, and take one long sweet draught
as he had often done upon hot day, in the for.
est, wien boy. But the red foe was behind
him, and he shot on like an arrow.
Presently he came 10 an old clearing which
had long been abandoned. Here. for about a
quarter of mile, was an open space, where
plowcd fields had once been. He would rather
have preferred the forest road, but there was no
alternative, and on he dashed. He had nearly
regained the shelter of the forest on the other
side, when he heard wild cheering, and, look
ing back, he saw Major Lindsay and one other
in advance, entering the open space. They had
caught sight of him for the first time since he
entered the road, and their shouts betokened
the renewed hope and determination on their
part.
Breathlessly, Preston kept on, but with less
assurance than before, for his horse was already
hard worried, and he saw with dismay that blood
was flowing freely from wound in his LEFT shoul-
der. A half mile further on. and the poor ami
NAL began to flag scnsibly; yet, cruel as it seem
ed, and much as it panied his own generous ma
ture, Preston was forced to urge on the dying
steed. He knew that mile and half ahead
was swamp, into the recesses of which if he
could only plunge he would be safe. But now
he heard behind him rapid hoOf. 1t came nea-
rer and nearer, but still out Of sight. One, if
no more, of bis pursuers was gaining rapidly
upon him. Again he spurred his steed and en-
couraged him with words. The noble steed an
swered with feeble cry, and staggered on
Scarcely half mile now remained to gain the
swamp. If he could only reach it, Preston knew
that all dvnger would be over. But this was
impossible.
That rapid gallop came nearer and nearer.
like the clock that ticks the hour of the criu:i-
NAILS fate. He heard a shout behind him, and
saw the trooper Whom he had last noticed side
by side with Lindsay, come laundering on. He
cheered his dying steed to a last effort, but it
was it vain; the dagoon made two strides tohis
few PAGES only separated them-the
swamp lay thrice the distance. Already the
trooper had risen in his stirrups, broad sword in
hand. Preston had no such weapon. Suddenly
he recollected the pistol in his other holster and
drawing it with the velocity of thought, he turn
ed half around in his saddle and fred. With
unerring aim the ball entered the brain of the
dragoon, and he fell dead upon the ground.
1T was but the work of moment to leap to
the ground, and catch the fallen soldiers horse,
on which Preston sprang. Poor Thunderer was
mas ter fired the last shot.
Thus fate interposed to prevent an interview
between Preston and Kate. at time when it
would have been of incalculable advantage to
hem both, and have circumventeda plot as base
md cruel as it was now certain of success. At
he very hour when Prcston-afier having rid
len over thirty miles from the spot where he
was attacked-threw himself, wearied, from his
horse, in the most secret recesses of the forest,
Kate and her aunt were setting forth for George
town, where they arrived next day.
Never was human being in a more isolated
md mournful situation than Kate now found
herself INDUCING in what she thought hope
less passion, every feeling of delicacy forbade
her revealing it to those who alone could be-
friend her. She knew that If her father became
lware how much her marriage with Major Lind
'ay was against her inclinations, he would inter-
pose even at the altar, and ascend the scaffold
TO save her. Neither would it do to let her aunt
guess her adherence at this union. Both her
ather and Mrs. Blakely had at one time hoped
hat a matrimonial connection woud be formed
between her and Preston; but the mutual cold
ness of the parties had long since dissipated this
expectation. 1t was no time now to reveal her
secret preference; such a confession would only
seal her fathers fate, without rendering her
1apry. Kate was forced, therefore, to wear
smiling face when her heart was Iaeerated.
As Major Lindsay wascompelled to be at Cam
len in six days-his leave of absence closing at
hat period, the marriage was fixed for the even
ng before his departure. This was an earlier
lay than Kate had looked for, but she could not
,bject without exposing her secret. She submit |
ed, therefore, in silence.
But who can tell the anguish Of her spirit, |
When in company with her aunt and parent, she |
vas forced to wear smiling aspect; yet when
lone she gave free vent TO her sorrow. The !
mage Of Preston often intruded on those bitter !
Alas! that one so young should be |
She could have prayed for death, |
,ut that would have been impious.
Oh, the heart, the heart. what mystery it is.
here are blows worse than those on the wheel; |
t is when gay heart is broken with anguish.
CHAPTER VII.
our fOr,res, ia the good greenwood.