White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-05-12

bility of soul. He would have refused
her boon if he dared, but he was awed
into consent, though, the moment she had
left his presence, and the order for her adj
mittance to the prisoner had issued, he
cursed himself for having been influenced
into the concession. ~. s. e.
! The room in which Capt. Elwyn was
confined, was situated on the ground floor
of the inn; no more secure place existing
in the village, which itself, was composed
of but four or FIVE out houses. A few
steps brought Emily TO the entrance Of
the apartment The door was flung
open, and she stood in the presence of her
lover.
He was reading by solitary candle,
when thus interrupted, and looking up,
he saw. with surprise, a yelled female
figure. Emily trembled excessively
She dreaded that Captain Elwyn would
think she overstepped the bounds of fe-
male modesty in thus seeking him but
this fear was soon dissipated, for her lover
Immediately recognizing her form, spraDg
forward with a joyous exclamation and
the poor girl, now all nervousness and
agitation, fell weeping into his arms.
When she was more composed, he drew
from her a narrative of the means by
which she had learned his danger
"And you dared the perils of mid
night ride to see me God bless you,
dearest But 1 would you had not come, Z"
he added, mOurnfully. Il would you
had spared yourself this sad interview
would you had known nothing of my
peril, till all was over" -
"Say not So" exclaimed Emily, stri-
wing to compose her tears. ''There is a
melancholy pleasure in this interview.
You but go before to better world. l
feel that shall follow soon"
Her lover pressed her mutely to his
bosom; tears were in his own eyes, but
called UP by her agony, not by his. .-g
81 knew, from the first moment of my
capture" said he. at length, ''that there
was no hope. Colonel Thorne, if he
does not know, suspects my love of you,
and wonld rejoice to destroy rival and
rebel, at once. We are old foes in the
feld. [ have asked of him no favors."
"Alasl it is but too true" said the
weeping girl. II saw him before l came
to you. and pleaded in vain for your life"
"Now, this is too much" exclaimed
the prisoner, with a burst of indignant
feeling. al would rather have sacrificed
my right hand, than that he should thus
triumph over you Yet, heaven bless
you, dearest, for making the endeavor.
The knowledge of love like this-so de-
voted. so selfsacrifcing, will smooth my
few hours of life."
ooh, Henry is there no hope ?" ex-
claimed Emily. suddenly looking up. at
cannot be that am to lose you. L will
not believe it. Succor will yet come
from some quarter. Say that there is
hope p she said, almost frantically.
The bitterness of death had increased
by sight of her agony, and Captain
Elwyn turned away to conceal his emo
ton. He pressed her to his breast, but
dared not make answer.
"Do not bid me despair !" cried Emf
ly, wildly; "say, there is hope of aid
from some of your friends" ,s.,,l
"Alas replied the prisoner, ''there is
no hope. 1t is true" he added, bright
ening up, "that couple score of brave
men might surprise this post but where
are such to be found NY own troops
are scattered or slain, and Marion, whom
l was marching to join, is far away. 1t
is better, dearest, that you should know
the truth at once, and prepare yourself
for my death. For myself. 1 care little /;
but your agony unnerves me. / have
had my thoughts on heaven ever since l
was condemned: let us together look
above; there you may derive strength of
soul; God will temper the wind to the
shorn lamb"
Poor Emily, at these words, wept
afresh, but yielding her hand to her lover,
they knelt together on the prison floor.
A few minutes of silent meditation on the
prisoners part followed and during that
pause, Emily rebuked herself for having
lost her composure. when she should have
been the one to cheer and sustain. Di-
rectly the voice of her betrothed arose in
prayer. The accents were clear, full and
firm /; and as he poured out his earnest
supplications that strenth might be gran
ted to her, who knelt by his side, Emily
felt holy fervor glow in her heart. while
a peace. as from on high, stole into her
bosom. Her emotion was not one of hope,
nor one wholly of resignation but it was
a mingling of both; and she experienced
full, in the words of the petitioner, "that
Gods ways are not as our ways, and
what seemeth to him right. is best-"9
When they arose from their knees, both
were more composed, and their eyes met
each other in a glance Of affection that
seemed too spiritualized and heavenly for
this earth. Itappeared to Emily, at that
moment, as if she would be supremely
happy, could she but die with her be-
trothed. Suddenly knock was heard at
the door.
at is the signal for your departure
we must now part" said the prisoner );
and then, in solemn, but affectionate
tone, he added, "our next meeting Will
be in heaven"
Emily's tears again flowed nor could
she speak for choking. The door opened
and the soldier entered to lead her out
She turned to take a last look on her
betrothed. By an uncomfortable impulse
she flung her arms around his neck. for