White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-04-12
CHAPTER ".
FIRST MEETING BETWEEN DIR. BOYD AND MRS.
GAsToNE.

4
That we ascertain tue cause of DR.
Boyd's absence from his temporary resi-
dence. it will be necessary to retrace oul
steps to the period in which he first me-
Mrs. GastOne.
During the summer previous to thu
commencement of our story, that lady ar
rived one pleasant evening at Saratog;
Springs. Her husband, who always pre-
ferred business to pleasure, Immediately
returned to Boston, and left her to enjoy
as long as she pleased, the fashionable
watering place.
Few would have dreamed that this wa,
intended as resort for the sick anil wea
ry, from the splendid dresses and gay
equipages that constantly promenaded the
streets, and from the sounds Of mirth and
revelry which proceeded from the costly
saloons. But beneath this gay exterior
and amid the music and merriment were
concealed many pain racked body, as
we'll as desolate and aching heart.
Mrs. GastOne mingled very little with
the Saratoga world, for. her proud and
passionate nature demanded exclusive
homage, and by IL she was untitled for a
social every day life. There had been for
long time in her mind growing dis
like to her husband. She was extrsvs-
CANT, knew nothing of the common labors
of life, and had no idea of the use oil
money but to spend it freely. He was on
the contrary an active business man. who
by his own talent and industry, had rails
ed himself to giddy height among the
merchant princes of Boston. and could
never appreciate life that was not crow
ded with important and decisive events.
To have lived in the feelings after the
manner Of his wife, would have been to
him only a sickly signing over impossi-
bilities. The longer they lived togethsr,
the greater were the barriers which exist
ed between them.
In her walks to the spring attended BY
servant carrying her little mi, she had
often noticed a tall and graceful gentle
man near her. Constant jostling with
individuals in such place is certainly
expected, but there seemed something in
territorial in the measured pace of the
stranger, Just proportional to her own,
and in his lounging at Q short distance
from her while remaining at the spring.
He was neither rude nor intrusive, and
she eonld not therefore feel insulted. She
remembered to have seen him at one cor
ner of the piazza. nearly enveloped in
woodbine, when she parted so carelessly
from her husband, and that the same
evening he had picked up her hsndker.
chief in the saloon and presented it to
her with the utmost Difference.
Frequently. Of late. he had fingered
near her till she retired for the night. his
countenancs wearing an expression oil
most profound respect. mingled with the
highest admiration and slight touch Of
sadness. He was apparently SPELL bound
by her beauty. Without being able in
the least to account for it, che was con-
scious that the stranger was fast becom-
ing a part Of her destiny.
Determined to understand, and, If pos
sibls, destroy the Invisible and mysteri-
Gus bond which connected them, she q;
length approached and addressed him
with much GOODNESS and hsuteur
ITO what circumstance am / indebted
for this untiring scrutiny p
The stranger started as from . dream,
but rising, instantly replied with win
ming and gracious smile: ii
II am in search Of heart. Lady"
"And do you fancy" continued she
chat mine is so lightly won. that It may
be uncOnsciously stolen from me-?