The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-08-07
ICopwi1htsd, Ise9.l
CHAPTER XL.

For moment the quartette stood dumb
md stupefied with amazement. At q glance
Lille Neff recognized her lover. She tried
to speak, TO move, but tongue and limbs
scemed paralyzed, and she could only stare
in speechless amazement Albert Neff need
not have been astonished at meeting the
friend Of his boyhood here, for he knew he
was in Grants division; 30 might Luke ex-
pect to meet Albert, but the presence Of
Lille, whom he supposed TO be safe In her
Missouri home, filled him with astonish-
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:
"Lnke, Lukew and staggered toward him.
&c caught her in his arms Just as she
swooned, and pressed tho insensible girl for
a moment 10 his heart. His crimson blade
fell TO the carpeted floor, and raising Lille
in his arms he carried her 10 sofa, where
he land her down.
Since Lille in love, fear and amazement
Aad uttered his name, not another word had
ieen spoken. The sounds Of struggle IN
tther parts OF the house were becoming
lushed. Tenderly the young oflccr bent
bycr the insensible girl, pressed kiss upon
her marble check, and, seizing q water
pitcher from stand near by, bathed her
face until she began 10 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:
"Thls Is the saddest meeting OF all"
al will not surrenderw the Confederate
hissed for answer. Elsie, throwing one
arm about his Eeck, clung 10 his sword-arm
and sobbed bitterly.
ALBERT, this is folly" Luke began, but
Captain Neff interrupted him.
ats useless to argue. You havo 1t In
your power TO kill me. Do II II you want TO,
for have sworn that will never give up
my sword 70 Yankee. The house that
covered my head when child has been
burned" a
ayes; burned by Lncoln's 5 hirelings, apd
my old father in his feebleness rendered
homeless
"My God the house burned and with 1t
the old wooden cradle In the attic" Luke
gasped. ''The last clew 10 my identity is
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-
try, and you ask me 10 surrenderi No, so
help me God, neverl Elsie, leave the
roomw
''No, no, no." the pale, beautiful girl cried,
clinging closer TO him, ~ will not leave you,
AIbert-no, never. Let us die together"
Luke was in dilemma. To bring his
troops into the room would be Alberts
death in the presence Of his sister whom
Luke loved dearer than his own life. To
screen hlm would ruin Captain Mason's
chances for promotion at the very moment
when he had the Colonelcy almost in his
reach.
"Albert, think what position your conduct
places me 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 bellgerents, and it's useless 10
pretend TO be friends II you intend 10
make captive OF me pick up your sword,
which / see is already stained with the
blood Of my comrades, and we will have II
outn
Lille, who had partially recovered, start
ed up, and, fiinging her arms about her
lovers neck, cried:
''Oh, dear, darling Lukel Spare him for
my sake"
In second love had triumphed over duty.
What cared he for promotion rs compared
with the happiness Of that dear girl who
clung 10 his neck But he knew he must
find some means Of keeping the presence
Of Albert from the soldiers, for they might
insist on killing or capturing the Confeder.
ate, despite all he could do Their blood was
up and they were furious.
There came n knock at the bolted door.
Whatever he did must be done quickly, for
some one was demanding admittance.
'Spare him, Luke, obi in heavens name,
save my brotherp sobbed Lillie, clinging tc
hor lover's neck.
~ II Twin, darling; but we must be discreet, y
he nnswered.
Rap, rap, rapi came louder and more de
termined knocks at the door.
~ can't git in" said one Of the troopers
ssBring an axe an III bust the door down.
There was not moment 10 lose.
ALBERT Ne1, for the sake Of these youne
ladies', help me 10 save yourself You know
full well what tho result win be wher
that door is broken down." said Luke, In ar
undertone 81
ssWhat do you mean, Lukcp' Alber
aslred, considerably moved by Captain
Masonic earnest manner.
4, aConceal yourself somewhere, wher'
you can mot be found until ! get my meI
away from the house"
4. A.. -. II