White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-01-21

NO one SVulu, ~ unesJ De more lntereStlngi yet
no one was so often naughty and disagreeable
Kate sighed to think how changed he had be-
come; then she was angry at herself for sigh
ing.
Kate was accordingly as Maynard as Preston
and who, indeed, had greater excuse? Rich and
well-born, beautiful and high spirited, she was
positively the reigning belle in Charleston du-
ring the whole of that gay winter. To COM
plexion delicately fair, and person of the most
delicate proportions, she united those graces of
mind and manner which, at that courtly day,
were considered the unerring Accomplishments of
good breeding. Report awarded her numbers of
unsuccessful suitors; but all had tacitly resigned
their claims in favor of Major Lindsay, an En-
glish officer, of noble blood, between whom and
an earldom there was only a single life. Gay
and splendid in equipage and person, the Major
no sooner laid siege to the heart of the heiress
than her less favored gave over in despair; and
what between lounging most of his mornings
away in her parlor, and attending to her abroad
on all occasions, he speedily came to have the
field nearly altogether to himself
The arrival of the Major anticipated that of
Preston about month; and when our hero re-
turned, he found his rival almost domesticated
at Mr.. Mowbray' IS house. Jealousy soon revealed
10 Preston the secret of his own long hidden
love; but it made him heartily hate the Major
The two gentlemen seemed perfectly to under
stand each other. But the Englishman knew
better than his rival how to suppress his feelings
and accordingly possessed every advantage over
him in ease and selfcommgnd. Had Kate
wished otherwise, she could not but have given
the larger share of her attention to the graceful,
brilliant and composed man of fashion, rather
than to his more irritable and Maynard rival,
whom flncisd slight, in word or look, was
sufficient to make dumb for whole evening"
Depend on it, the worst possible use to which
lover can put himself is to be sulky.
Perhaps twas the enmity he nourished against
his more successful rival; perhaps it was the
natural indignation of frank and noble heart
against oppression; perhaps, which is more nat
ural, it was both combined-but Preston had not
been long at home before he formed the resolu-
ton to take part with his countrymen in the war
then going on; and the sudden appearance of
General Marion on the Santee, where he began
him favorable way for carrying out his design,
which he only poned until he cosld part from
Kate on better terms. He had Aattered himself
that she herself was secretly on the side of the
colonists, for her father had once held COM
mission under the provisional government, al
though, since the fall of Charleston, and the ap-
parent conquest of the colony, he, like many 9TH
ers, had been induced to take royal protection,
and ground his arms as neutral.
One morning Preston found Kate alone in her
visitors for Major Lindsay, at least, was usually
at her side. Kate wore pretty morning dress,
and was sewing; her little tiny foot, that rested
on a cushioned stool, peeping provokingly out
from beneath the snowy muslin. A woman one
admires never looks lovelier than when occupied
in this truly feminine employment; and as Kate
made room for Preston beside her, with one of
her sweetest smiles, he thought she had never
seemed half so charming. Lovers can imagine
how happy Preston soon was. He and Kate
talked of old times, she busily employing her
needle, but every now and then looked with an
imation into his face. His heart beat quicker,
and he longed to tell her how he loved her; it
would, fear, have set your head or mine, rea-
der, topsy-turvy at once. A dozen long forgot
ten incidents were called to mind; how Preston
had once rescued Kate from the river, how they
had wept when their old nurse died, and score
of other things. The color Of both heightened,
and Preston felt every moment as if he coutd
snatch the dear girl in his arms. In the eager
ness of conversation, all at once Kate placed
her hand Familiarity on his.
"And do you remember" she said, gazing
up with sparkling eyes into his face, do you
remember when the pony ran away with you
Oh! was half dead with fright, and screamed
Justify. Those were happy days-I wonder il
we are ever so happy as in childhood7 Isome-
times wish that we were back again on that old
lawn" And she sighed.
"Do you, indeed1'' said Preston, his whole
face lighting up, and he took her hand by an i'm
pulse he could no longer resist
At that moment the words which would have
decided his fate, were rising on Preston's lips
and Kate. as if secretly forewarned, began to
tremble and become confused, when the door
was flung open, and the servant in loud voice
announced Major Lindsay.
IF any of our readers had been interrupted
when about to declare himself, and had to come
plump down from rapture to foolishness, he can
imagine Preston's chagrin at the entrance OF the
visitor. However, he had tact enough to think
of Rates embarrassment, and. as he rose to
make his bow, adroitly placed himself so as to
conceal her for a moment, AID allow her time to
recover from her confusion. The Major gave
both parties, on the instant, a suspicious glance
but his softest smile Immediately succeeded
and with easy assurance, taking the seat Preston
had vacated, he glided into strain of brilliant
small talk, such as would have done honor 70
any gallant of the day, incompatible at compli
menIs and snufEboxes. Preston was angry Al
this unceremouious supplanting, but even mor'
angry to see how quickly Kate recovered her
self, and dashed out in strife Of repartee, with
a spirit and ease even superior to the Majors
f Preston ehafed, and thought she might hav'
! been little less interested At first he was 81
lent and reserved, then he began TO be uneasy
J and once or twice yielded TO his initability II
words. He cursed his folly for imagining, IS h
Ala a fav rn;nutea hefnre that she Thought mort