The Iola register., 1889-05-24

A] / Hr rs n FzN5
"FoRGIvE NE LUXE, THIS SEEMS HARD,
KNOW"
will be in the field on my way to join Price
As for myself, YOUR Union sentiments viii
never endanger you, but you are sur
rounded by hundreds whom I can not con
troi-you are not safe here"
"And YOU advise me to go away!"
Il do"
THANK you, Albert, will gon
"Forgive me, Luke. this seems hard.
know; ba; an always your friend" said
Albert.
"You are forgiven. Albert, and trus,
that wherever we meet, be it on the battle.
field or when peace shall have spread her
wings over our country, that we may meet
as friends"
'We shall"
clam going In the morning, but must see
Lille first"
''Go to the summer house in the garden
and will send her there"
Luke had spent many happy hours in the
| bygone years beneath the leafy bowers of
that summer house. He was on his way
toward it when the giant form of Black.
hawk suddenly rose up from some rose
bushes at the side of the path, and the negro
said:
"Massa. wants ter AK we suUtil'."
wv hat is it, Blackhawk!''
"Am you fob de Union, an sottin US
| free!"
"Yes, Blackhawk; why do you ask me
that,''
| Cause, massa, rs got wife N pore
little baby down Souf sum'ars; dey wus
| sent down dar great many vars ago, an
| if gets my freedom kin 60 an find 'em. ~
81 hope you may, Biackhawk,' said
| Luke, hurrying on. He had known the ne
gro ever since he was a child, but had never
heard him mention a wife and baby before.
| THAT black rascal has a heart after ali, he
| thought.
Reaching the bower, he sat upon the
rustic bench. The moon, with many flick
ering shadow, shone through the leafy COW
ering overhead, and Luke's mind recalled
| the many thousand events which had trans
pired since last he sat there, year ago.
A light footstep fell upon his ear. There
was whispering of soft robes, breath Of
perfume, and she was at his side. No words
of the vows they had piighted a year ago,
when Luke went of to seek his fortune,
were spoken. He rose silently, took her in
his arms, and they sat down together. He
was first to speak.
"Lillie, your father has told me all, and
am still an unknown waif. As such can
you accept me"
'.Yes-yes, Luke! l have known you all
my life, and what need care about your
BIRTH
He clasped her more closely In his arms
and imprinted kiss on her lips. After g.
moment he said:
"Albert is a Confederate"
"What changed him!' she asked.
sits a mystery, Lille. l am surrounded
by enemies and must leave you at dawn.
But be my lot what it may, shall ever be
true TO my first love-
She did not answer-perhaps she could
not-but clung to him, while tears trickled
in crystal drops down her pretty cheeks.
For long time they sat there clasped in
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 IL
BLACKHAwK-A SoLDIER-THE SURPRISE.
Luke Mason, as already told, had been
rescued when an infant from the river and
reared as the adopted son of Mr.. Neff'S
brother, who was chldIess. 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.
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 no
knew he might never see again. "How long
ar We gwine t. stay!''
Il leave in the morning."
"Why s. soon!"
Its best"
The old man again gave utterance to q
groan, and Luke leading Lille TO the door,
bade her goodnight and promised to see her
early in the morning. Then he returned 10
Mr.. Neff, and, drawing a chair near to his
side, said:
"Mr. Men, l want those clews to my iden-
tity"
"What yer mean, Lukem
Il mean the things which were found
about me when was taken, like Noses,
from the water"
THAR haint nuthin' left but the old wood
en- cradle up n tn attic, which guess yes
seen hundred times, n the old yaller ham
kercher."
''Let me have the handkerchief, then; It
will be some clew. I may by it discover
my parentage. Any way, it shall be pre-
cious relic, with which I will never part.n
IrO mn c0ETyNrrD1