Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-20
CHAPTER NI.

LOVE TR1UMPHANT.
 For q moment the Quartettc stood dumb and stupefed with amazement. At glance L4illie Neff recognized her lover. She tried to speak, to move, but tongue and limbs seemed paralyzed, and she could only stare in speechless amaZcment. Albert Neff need not havo been astpnlshed at meeting tho friend of his boyhood here, for he knew he was in Grants division; so might Luke ex- poet to meet Albert, but the presence of Lille, whom he supposed to be safe in her Missouri home, filled him with astonsh- ment.
 Elsie Morgan recognized him as the brave Union soldier who had saved her house when the recruits would have burned it.
 Luke, comprehending the situation, bolt cd the door which he had closed on discover ing who the occupants of the room were. Lille having regained her voice murmured |: Luke, Luke" and staggered toward him. He caught her in his arms just as she swooned, and pressed tho iusensible girl for a moment to his heart His crimson blade fell to tho carpeted floor, and raising Lillie in his arms he carried her to sofa, wherc he lad her down.
 Since Lille i'll love, fear and amazement had uttered his name, not another word had been spoken. The sounds of struggle in other parts of the house were bocomin g hushed. Tenderly the young officer bent over the insensible girl, pressed kiss upon her marble cheek, and, seizing water pitcher from stand near by, ,.bathed her | face until she began to revive. When her recovery was assured he arose and, turning | upon the brother who, sword in hand, still stood in the center of the room, he said: "This is the saddest meeting of all" "I will not surrender!" the Confederate l hissed for answer Elsie, throwing one l arm about his neck, chung to his sword-arm | and sobbed bitterly.
 | "Alber. this Is folly" Luke began, but | Captain Neff interrupted him. 1 "It's useless to argue. You have it ln your power to kill me. Do it if you want to, for have sworn that I will never give up my sword to Yankee. The house that l covered my head when q child has been burned.s
 l ''What, burneds" gasped Luke. l "Yes; burned by Lincoln's hirelings, and my old father in his feebleness rendered l homeless"
 1 My Godl the house burned and with it | the old wooden cradle in the attic," Luke gasped. ''The last clew to my identity is l gone" Albert, not noticing the effect of this revelation upon Luke, went on:
 "Father and sister both made homeless wanderers and banished from their coun, I try, and you ask me to surrender! No, SC help me God, never! Elsie, leave the roomw
 s'No, no, mo-" the pale, beautiful girl cried clinging closer to him, 'I will not leave you Albert-no, never. Let us die together" Luke was in dilemma To bring his troops into the room would be Albert's
 death in the presence of his sister whom Luke loved dearer than his own life. Tc
 screen hlm would ruin Captain Mason's
 chances for promotion atthe very moment l when he had the Colonelcy almost in his
 reach
 "Albert, think what position your conduct
 places mo in," Luke began.
 "You placed yourself in this position
 Luke Mason, we have carried this hollow
 sham of friendship in war as long as we
 can. Weare beliigerents, and it's useless te