The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-04-20

each others arms, and what they said and
what they thought must be imagined.
The brother in the meanwhile had saddled
his horse, bid his invalid father adleu and
was already on his way to join company
Of recruits for the Confederate army.
CHAPTER II.
BLACKHAwK-A soLD1ER-THE SURPRISE.
Luke Mason, as already told, had been
rescued when an infant from the river and
reared as the adopted son Of Mr.. Neh's
brother, who was childless. The brothers
had lived on adjoining farms until old Seth
Neff's death, which occurred about two
years before the time of which we write.
Luke had grown up with Albert and Lille,
and his love for the latter began when they
were children attending the same district
school. Their affection had ripened, and
this year would have witnessed their union
but for the distressing state of the country.
When the lovers returned to the house
they found the old farmer still sitting on the
porch, bathed in the moonlight.
s'Wall, Luke, It's time We war gone t. bed"
he said, with sigh. The old man still felt
sad from parting with his son. whom he
knew he might never see again. CHOW long
ar ye gwine t. stays"
II leave in the morning.
'Why s. soon?'
tits best"
The old man again gave utterance to a
groan; and Luke leading Lille to the door,
babe her goodnight and promised to see her
early in the morning. Then he returned to
Mr.. Neff, and, drawing g. chair near to his
side, said:
"Mr. Nef, want those clews to my iden-
tity."
ssWhat yer mean, Luke?"
81 mean the things which were found
about me when I was taken, like Moses,
from the water"
ssThar haint nuthin' left but the old wood
en- cradle up m tn attic, which guess yes
seen hundred times, IN the old yaller han
kercher."
'sLet me have the handkerchief, then; it
will be some clew. I may by il discover
my parentage Any way, it shall be pre-
cious relic, with which Twill never part"
The old man rose and called to negro
boy to bring him a lighted candle. The
sleepy darkey soon complied, and, followed
by Luke, the farmer went to his private
room, where was an old-fashioned escri-
toire. He opened one of the drawers with
an assurance that secuted at any doubt of
the precious relic But look OF uneasi-
ness came over his face.
sits gone" he said.
'Look well; it may have got in some other
nook" said Luke, eagerly.
He did so. He went through drawer
after drawer, but at last, in despair, wins
pered:
"It's stolen"
ssWho did it?"
The farmer could give no satisfactory
answer They searched every where that
it could be possible for the missing relic
to be, but of no avail.
With an aching head and heart heavy
with disappointment, Luke Mason retired
to his bed that night; weary from travel he
at last fell asleep, despite his anxiety. He
seemed to have scarce lost consciousness,
and his mind had begun to wander amid
vague, misty dreams, when he was aroused
by a loud noise of confused voices in which
were mingled oaths, threats and the plead
ings of Mr.. Neff and his daughter.
ssShet up, old man; we hain't agwine ter
hurt you or yer gal; but We'll hang that ar
aberhtion n spite o. hill" growled a heavy
voice. Luke, alarmed, sprang from his bed
and ran to the window. The front yard was
filed with armed men. Mr. Nef and Lille
both partially in ntght-clothes were in front
of the door.
ssYou shall not hurt him." cried the brave
girl. she has not harmed you"
"But he's q aberlition, gal, an We'll hang
i'm ur die. Haint We q Southern gal?''
II am-my brother is On his way to join
Price, but you shall not harm hair OF his
head"
A loud shout of disapproval went up at
this determined sentence. Cries OF ''T'ar
down the do I" ssBu'n the housel' and a
hundred other angry EXPLANATIONS drowned
the brave girls voice.
Luke was alarmed. The freedom with
which he had declared his Union senti-
ments at the last stage station had ruined
him. He now saw the folly of his comm e
to this neighborhood, especially from free
soil State like Ohio. He was at loss what
to do, as he was wholly unarmed and in
capable of making any defense. There came
rapid steps along the hall, the door was
pulled open, and voice whispered:
"Massa, Massa Luke!''
"Blackhawk, is 1t you?'' he asked.
eyes, massa; de berry debil am to play.
Secesh come to hang yer. Come wild me,
an, by golly, I'll show ye how to git away
from 'em."
There was no time for hesitation, even for
thought. He followed the negro out into
the hall, where Blackhawk thrust horse
pistol in his hand.
"Blow UNI ter de debil eff um come" said
the negro in whisper.
"Where did you get this!"
"Nebber mind, massa-can't tell yer now,
come on. EFF yer gwine ter help free my
wife an little baby Til help yer"
He led him down the stairs and they We're
fastening out the rear way when white,
robed figure suddenly ran down the hall
and, throwing her arms about him, said:
ooh! Luke, Luke; GO fly for your life"
| One kiss on her beautiful forehead, one
whispered goodbye" and he was out fol-