White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-02-24

tened upon her lawyer, Clamp. She al
most wished he would come 10 see her
again; for he. being naturally sulky at
his first reception, had left the naughty
woman severely alone. She determined
to sent. for him, ON business, and then to
try her destinations upon him, to draw
him out and see if he held her secret.
"Aha u thought the Squire, as he re-
ceivet the message, "she comes to her
senses Give woman like Mrs. Kinloch
time TO consider, and she will not turn
her back on her true interest. o, The
ophilus, you are not by any means fool |!
Slow and steady, slow and steady you
go Let the frisky woman appear to
have her way-you will win in the end p
The wig and best su;t were brushed
anew, water was brought into requisition
for the visible portion o: his person, and,
with his most engaging expression arran-
ged upon his parchment face, he presented
himself before the widow.
There was a skirmish Of small talk,
during which Mr.. Clamp was placid and
Self-cOnscious, while his ris a gis, though
smiling and apparently at ease, was yet
alert and excited-dartins furtive Chances
that would have startled, him like flashes
of sunlight reflected from mirror, if he
had not been shielded by his own self
complacency.
Observation-Disclosures
I-believe." in a tone continuous and
bland as stream of honey.
YES, sir; | have great confidence in
your Judgment, and l know that you are
devoted to the interests of our family.
My poor husband always esteemed you
highly"
"Oh, Ma'am you do NE honor -
eff L have not consulted you about our
affairs of late, it is because | have had
troubles which did not wish to burden
you with"
1--WE all have our troubles, Mrs. Kin
loch. They are very sad to bear-but
profitable, nevertheless But I'm sure
you must be wonderfully supported IN
your trials; l never saw you looking
better"
And truly, her thin and mobile lips
were of a strangely bright coral, and her
usually wan cheeks wore a delicate flush,
lending her beauty, not youthful, to be
sure, but fascinating. One might desire
to see an eye less intense and restless, but
he would rarely see woman of forty SO
charming.
You notice my color" said Mrs.
Kinloch, mournfully and with smile
otis only the effect of headache. l am
far enough from we'll"
Indeed % was the sympathetic reply.
Il have met with great loss. Mr..
Clamp-some papers of the greatest i'm
portance. / was going to consult you
about them"
"In which 1 got ahead ofyou, thought
he.
"Now. ever since the disappearance Of
Lucy, I have thought she had something
to do with them. | never went to the
secretary, but she was sure to be spying
about. And | believe she knew about my
affairs as well as | do myself"
"Or l." mentally calculated the lawyer
meanwhile keeping as close as an oys-
ter.
She continued-''Asth the girl was igno
rant, and without any interest in the mat
ter more than that of curiosity, am puz-
zled to account for all this"
"'Tis strange, truly %
"Yes, I'm sure she aust be only the
tool of some shrewder person.
"You alarm me! Who can it be %
Perhaps Mildred. or some one who is
plotting for her. The Hardwicks. you
know, expect she will marry Mark Da-
venport''
do they, indeed Well, now. that's
a shrewd conjecture. Then you think
Lucy didn't drown herself %
"She? By 40 means l''
"But what can do in the matter, Mrs
Kinloch 81
1--WE must find Lucy, or else discover
her confdant looking ixedly at him.
mot very easy to do" said he, never
once wincing under her scrutiny.
''Not easy for me. But those that hide
can find. Nothing is beyond search, i'll
one really tries
during THIS crOSS-eXamlnatlOn, MI
CLAMPS premeditated gallantry had been
kept in the background but he was de-
termined not to let the present opportu-
nifty pass by; he therefore turned the cur
rent of conversation.
"You have not told me, Mrs. Kinloch,
sokdt the loss is; SO cannot judge of its
importance. You don't wish to have any
more repositories of secrets than are
necessary; but think you will readily
see that our interests lie in the same d.
rection. If the girl can be found and the
papers recovered by anybody. am the
one to do it. If that is impossible, how
ever. the next thing is to be prepared for
what may happen in either emergency.
you can hardly do better than to accept
my aid"
"Of course, 1 depend entirely upon
you"
ave may as well understand each 9TH
err" said the lawyer. forgetting the willy
ways by which he had intended to APP
proach her. 81 have certain views, my
self, which l think run parallel with
yours and if am able to carry you
and your property safely through these
difficulties, I think you will not scruple
to"
TO pay you to your hearts content"