White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-10-28
CHAPTER VI.
THE INTERVIEW.

THE INTERVIEW.
notwithstanding the political excite
ment that pervsded the town, the murder
of the goldsmith created a great sensa-
ton. The circumstantial evidence which
criminated his nephew was deemed con-
elusive. even by the young mans most
intimate friends. OF his present retire
ment, nothing was known, and his escape
and subsequent absence, were regarded as
but an admission of guilt. But as moth
| ing further. was aseertained in relation to
the matter, the excitement among, the
townsmen gradually abated, and finally
ceased altogether Still there was one
heart which yet bled with the wound It
had caused. Amelia Powell refused to
be comfortcd Her affections were too
deeply lacerated TO be easily, or speedily
healed. Her father, by all the ingenuity
of tenderness. strove to mitigate her sor-
row but in spite Of all his exertions, she
rapidly declined in health and spirits.
| Mr.. Waldeck was a constant visitor at
the, mansion of Colonel Powell His at
tentions to Amelia were more marked,
and more persevering. Her father had
gently intimated his wish that she should
accept the hand of the indefatigable suit
or, and the daughter with a desire to
please him, had tolerated, rather than ac-
copied his addresses. To her, the world
and life seemed bnt blank she had
nothing further to live for, but to make
those happy arounI her. She had re-
luctantly resigned the hope oe ever meet
ing Robert again. He had deceived her
as to his true character, and her heart
was broken, her affections were wrecked.
Without any definite purpose of accept
ing his hand, Amelia had endeavored to
regard without loathing. the man to whom
her father wished to unite her. She was
still true to the noble, beautiful ideal of
truth and goodness which she had embod-
led in the character of her lover The
vessel was brahens but the ideal still ex-
listed in her heart. l.af -afio I
About four weeks after the events rela-
ted in the preceding chapters. Wal,leck
was seated in the parlor. twas evening,
and Pickering light threw its faint rays
on the naggard features. of the goldsmith.
He had grown paler and thinner than
when we last saw him. He was uneasy
and nervous, as he attempted with an I'M
steady hand 10 turn the leaves Of an ae-
count book. Unable to fix his mind upon
the business which claimed his attention,
he rose and paced the room. But Wis.,
ion of horror continually haunted him.
At length, wearied with the tortdring
presence of his own thoughts, he took the
candle and assembled the stairs. As he
turned into his sleeping apartment, a rust
ling noise disturbed him. .N--s.
"Who is there 90 exclaimed he, in a
sudden and nervous tone. , ~ rf-
But no answer was returned. He search
ed the passage way without making any
discovery. Ascribing it to the disorder
ed state Of the nerves, he entered his room
and threw himself upon his bed.l For an
hour. or more he tossed about, but sleep
came not to him, until, wearied beyond
the endurance of nature, he sunk Into an
uneasy slumbers Even then the terrible
vision haunted him.3-z With mastering
sounds on his lips, he occasionally started.
as from fears and then groaned deeply.
s9 The candle still burned on1lthe table,
the siekly fame curling round the long
wick, so that the room was but dimly
lighted.
90 Noiselessly the door was opened, and
a man, closely enveloped in a black cloak.
entered the chamber. Cautiously he adj
vancei to the bedside and bent over the
slumberer r--., r,.l r4- rrr 81
lit isotrue, old man, my blow was
sure" muttered the sleeper in disjointed
phrases. and then turning on the bed he
groaned heavily. Fora time he lay in
silence. as though his dream was ended.
The stranger listened awhile, and then
snuffed the candle which was Pickering
as if going out. Again he approached
the bedside, and again the slumberer
turned into an uneasy posture. za
Away, old man, away ! What If /
did kill thee ?'' groaned he. 'tOff, off. nm
hand me" and Waldeck started with
convulsive energy from the bed, and
awoke. el ls,slS Rs d 5f'C17
He saw the form of the man. and it
seemed the waking continuation of his
dream. = go As
'Off off man" screamed he, spring
ing from the bed upon the form before
him. ''.
"Waldeck." said the stranger. as he
flung his assailant from him-"W aldeck,
are you mad I? Rouse yourself" ~
"Ah 20 said the goldsmith, Robert. is
it possible you have dared to come bere?"
II haze dared !, L come in the dead