White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-04-26

ielr Win MRS. 0astone, and yet so per.
fectly had every particular been managed,
that all had been deceived not even 9
suspicion had been awakened by the fact
Of their leaving town together, so natur-
ALLY had it been accounted for by Mr..
Gastone.
The absence Of Mrs. Gastone had been
limited to six weeks. previously to her
departure. -Four of them had already ex-
pired, and the non arrival of any intelli-
gence respecting her safety and health,
began to create much anxiety in his mind.
he was about to write to her to the care
of her friends in Philadelphia, when he
received from DR.. Boyd note sealed with
black, and written in wretched hand.
After lamentations, he proceeded to com
municate the death of Mrs. Gastons, by
q most unfortunate accident Their ar
rival in New York had been safe anu
pleasant. The day following. few of
his friends had agreed upon short sail,
and Mrs. G. had been invited and accep-
ted the invitation. A sudden squaIl
arose. their boat was upset, and she, with
one other lady, was drowned. He spoke
of his incredible exertions to save her,
the exposure of which, had caused him
fever delirium succeeded, and this let
ter was the first effort of his returning
health. He trusted that Mr.. Gastone
would attach no blame to him, and hoped
a few weeks would enable him to express
his sympathy in person.
Upon the reception of this note, Mr..
Gastonc was at first overwhelmed, but by
degrees a suspicion crspt into his mind /;
be could not account for it, but he felt no
sorrow, such as the actual death of his
wife would have produced-in fact, he
did net believe Il. He was surprised that
all at once doubt of the truthfulness of
his friend should arrive, and fix itself in
his mind, but SO it was. In truth, he
believed his wife and child still lived
At all events be was resolved to know
the truth.
He spoke to no one of the reception or
contents of the letter, but arranging his
business SO that it would not suffer from
his absence, and onmitting Leon to the
charge of the faithful Cstharine, he de-
parted for New York.
Establishing himselfin one ofthe prin-
cipal boarding houses. he mingled con-
stantly with the world, to meet, if posi-
Bile, the individual, who he now believed
had either seduced his wife, or murdered
and secreted her. At all events, he sought
to learn the reality. Meanwhile. he learn
ed from Mrs. Ellerton. that DR.. Boyd
had not returned, and that he had left be-
hind various unsettled debts.
Months passed. Mr.. Gastoue had en-
dured all the horrors of suspense, still be
remained undiscouraged. He could read
lily forgive the man the various sums of
money he had borrowed from him, but
for the abduction of his wife and child,
he would pursue him so long as life per-
mitted. He loved his wife spite of her
mood, and idolized his child.
Singular indeed, must have been the &C.
casion, to have drawn tears from the eyes
of that stern man. but now, in midnight's
lonely hour, he wept for the desolation
about him. and in the anticipation of
many miseries which he feared had be
fallen the loved, absent ones. He grew
thin and pale. his appetite failed, his
spirits were forced. and he moved through
the streets mechanically, casting upon ev-
cry man an eagle glance. Many. in pass
ing, shrank from him, for there was wild
ness-almost insanity, in the rapidity
with which he walked.
One day, when glancing restlessly
about as usual, he met the long sought in
dividual face to face. DR.. Boyd could
not escape, but assuming his old winning
and gracious smile, extended his hand
with much cordially, exclaiming:
"Hsppy to see you. my dear Gastone;
you perceive articulste now terrible
operation, but 1 can speak quite we'll
was little awkward at first though-but
how are you recovered the loss OF your
sad event truly-I perceive it
has afflicted you-but don't let me de-
tain Won, sir-business before pleasure
excuse me, sir 20 and was proceeding
up the street, when he found himself de-
tanned.
So rapidly had this stream of words
flowed from the lips of the lately silent
Doctor. that Mr.. Gsstone stood petri6ed
for a moment, till perceiving that this
long desired opportunity was about to be
lost, he caught DR.. Boyd by the arm, and
said sternly:
"Stop, sir-answer me truly-whers
are. my wife and child %
The Doctor assumed look of aston |
ishment.
"Your wife and child did not in
form You that they were buried beneath
the waves Of the ocean 2"
"And l tell you in return, that ! do not
believe it. They are alive. and you know
the place of their concealmeAt; answer
me I"
my dear friend" replied DR.. Boyd, |
with his most gracious air, cit cannot be
that you would charge man Of my hon
or with deceit, in 80 grave matter. /
might challenge you upon such an i'm
putation but / will not. I pity and
pardon you. The loss Of those you
love has doubtless affected your judgment;
from my soul I sympathixe with you-but
excuse me now-good morning"
Mr.. Gastone again caught him, and 6x-
ing upon him his sharp, penstrsting eye.
said i:
"You shall not escape me thus. Ma
nv unonfha have aouOhk this iukarVieW. /