Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1889-09-04

door. though evidently reluctant to give nm
Teasing her eyes on the fast approaching
stage coach. The groan had issued from
the lips of her invalid father, a dyspcptic
and hypochondriac, who seemed to delight
only in the misery by which he surrounded
himself.
= But there was beauty In the landscape
as the rays OF summer sun fell ON the hill
top, and she turned again to gaze n mo-
mcnt upon tho bright picture Tho old
fashioned siS-horsc st3ge-coach was rum
bling down tho turnpike hill, and her
cheek flushed just tho faiutest tint OF
crimson as she murmurcd, half audibly:
"Oh-I wonder if-'' but seeming to be-
como suddenly aware of the fact that sho
was about TO reveal something which to
her was precious secret she closed those
cherry red lips, and blushing n still deeper
crimson, entered tho sitting room, where
her father reclined on an old-fashioned
black sofa
DO you want any thing, fatherl'' sho
asked.
Look over the papah-lt hu'ts my ewes
TO read-and see if thars any wah news /
decla' the seccsh an abolitionists are
gwine to tar tho country pieces. Pears
= me that things get wuss every day"
Mr.. Jordan Neff, rs his dialect would in
dicate, was Southern man He was born
In South Carolina, but had removed TO Mis-
souri, when young. At the time our story
opens he was n wealthy Missouri farmer
wldowcr with two children and over n
score of slaves. Mr. Neff, not unlike n
great many others inhabitlng tho bor-
der States during tho dark days of 1861,
found II difficult TO espouse either cause
Like the father, his only son Albert. n
promising young man OF twenty-oue
Semed fluctuating between love for his
sunny South and patriotism for his country
Ihat which many peaceful citizens of tho
border States had hoped would only provo
speck on the political horizon, was grow
ing day by day into most terrible war
cloud ana threatening TO shut out the light
OF human happiness. Ncighbors began TO
mistrust neighbors, and friends of n life
time became suspicious OF each other, while
even brothers took up the sword on oppo-
site sides, and no one knew at what time
the land might be deluged with blood.
Lille drew the old-fashioned armchair 10
her fathers side, and taking the paper
glanced over its columns. 1t was filed with
war rumors and the movements Of vast
armies
What d We sect" Mr. Men asked.
"Price and Mccullough are moving on
Lexington"
"ohl they're Jest gwine T. hev awful
times"
He was interrupted by the opening of tho
door. woolly head and black face was
thrust in. the body, fof the most part, re
naming outside.
DE stage am gwinc ter stop" said the
darkey; and in confirmation of his assertion
there came tho soft, mellow blast of the
drivers horn
Hes come, he's come" cried Lille.
springing to her feet and running 10 the
door in a burst Of joy which betrayed her
anticipation and anxiety.
who's "a comm, Lilliel What's tn mat
ter with YET declu' yo act like We war"
but she was out OF sight and hearing, and
the old man did not finish the sentence. She
was out on the lawn, hurrying toward the
gate, before her father could shuIllo to his
feet.
The old stage coach had stopped almost
directly in front Of tho gate, tho door was
opened and young man descending the
steps His only baggage was q small hand
sachel which was sluug by a lca;hern strap
over his shoulder
"Oh Luke, Luke, have you comelr cried
the pretty girl, swinging coquettishly upon
the gate. The stage rolled on, and by
the time Luke had reached Lilies side IL