White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-02-17

flaming forge. and he could never feel at
home in any other spot Young trees
may be moved" he would say :, can old
one dies in transplanting." It was no.
ticed by all his friends that the stoop in
his shoulders was more decided, his step
less elastic, and his ordinary few of spir-
its checked.
Mrs. Kinloch. too. grew older unac-
countably fast. Her soft. brown hair be-
gan to whiten, her features grew sharp,
and her expression quick. watchful, and
intense. Upon being spoken to, she would
start and tremble in her whole frame her
cheeks would glow momentariiy, and then
become waxen again.
Impatient at the slow progress Of her
sons wooing, and impelleC. now by a
new fear that all her plans might be frus-
trated, if Mildred should happen to hear
any rumor touching the cause of Lucy's
disappearance, Mrs. .Kinloch proposed
to herself to assist him more openly than
she had hitherto DONE She was not aware
that anything duplicating Hugh had been
reported, but she knew enoug h of human
nature to be sure that some one would be
peering into the mystery "a mystery
which she OWNED BY instinct, but had
not herself dared to explore So, finding
a favorable opportunity, she sat down
beside Mildred, determined to read the
secret Of her soul for she made no ques-
ton that she could scan her, as she might
the delicate machinery of the French
clock. noiselcssly moving under the crys-
tai cover.
Mildred shudlered unconsciously, as
she felt her step-mother's thin fingers gem
tly smoothing the hair upon her temples /;
still more, as the pale and quivering lips
were pressed to her forehead. The caress
was not feigned tenderness. Airs. Kin
loch really loved the girl, with such love
as she had to bestow and if her manner
had been latterly distracted or harsh, it
was from pre- occupation. She was soon
satisfied that the suspicion she dreaded
had not found place in the girls mind.
Leading the way by imperceptible ap-
proaches, she spoke in her softest tones of
her Joy at Highs altered manners, her
hopes of his future, and especially of her
desire to have him cave the navy and
settle on shore. -
"TIow happy we might be, Hugh and
we," she said, ''if we could live here in
this comfortable home, and feel that moth
ing but death would break up the circle !
How much your dear father counted on
the happiness in store for him in growing
old with lis children around him land
would he not be rejoiced to see us cling
together, bound by ties as strong as life.
and cherishing his memory by our mutual
affection 90
Mildred replied in some common-places
rather wondering at the vein of senti-
ment. and in no way suspecting the object
which her step mother had in view.
Mrs. Kinloch continued Hugh needs
some new attraction now to detain him /;
he is tired of the sea, but finds the village
dull He is just of the age to think of
looking for some romantic attachment |;
but you know how few girls there are
here whose manners and education are
such as to please cultivated man."
Mildred grew uneasy, but remained ST.
lent. Mrs. KinloA was every moment
more eager in her manner; novice, wait
ing for the turn of the cards in rouge ct
noir, would not have manifested greater
anxiety as to the result. But the girl
looked out of the window. and did not
see the compressed lips, dilated nostrils,
aud glittering eyes, that gave such con-
tradiction to the bland words. B.. Iii
Mildred, my daughter" she contin-
ued, II have no secrets from you--least
Of all about matters that concern us both.
Don't you see what would say? Don't
you know what would make our circle
complete, insepsrable? Pardon the bold
ness of fond mother. whose only desire
is to see her children happy" .l
Mildred felt tear dropping upon the
hand which Mrs. Kinlech held with a
passionate grasp. She felt the powerful
magnetism which the woman exerted up
on her, and she trembled bat still kept
silent.
at is for Hugh that speak. He loves
you. Has he not told you so ?"
81 do not wish to talk with you about
it" said Mildred.
"But / have right. as his mother and
your guardian, to know. should be
wanting in my duty. If l suffered your
happiness to be periled for want of clear
understanding between you. Hugh is
proud and sensitive. and you bashful and
inst the least foolish so that you are at
cross-purposes."
"Hugh fully understands my feelings
towards him."
"You have given him encouragement"
she asked. eagerly.
"None whatever it would have been
wrong in me to do So"
Wrong to love himl why, he is
your brother only IN name"
Wrong to encourage him IN love l
do not and cannot return" replied Mil
dred with 6 mighty effort, at thessme time
disengaging her hand.
Mrs. Kinloeh could not repress feel
ing of admiration. even in her despair, as
she saw the clear. brave glance, the heigh-
tened color, and the heaving bosom of the
girl.
"But, in time. you may think different
ly," she said. almost piteously. 1'
II wished to be spared this pain, mo-
ther,'' Mildred replied, trembling at her
own boldness. .'but you will not let me !;
and must tell you kindly. but decidedly,