The Springdale news., 1889-06-28
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 bedroom, and Luke determined that no ono should enter the apartment where the girls and the concealed officer were. The sold1er hurried away to find his Captain.
 s'l must find some one to guard thts door that can be trusted" Luke sad to himself
 At this moment he caught sight of the very man he mostdesired to see, Arl1ansaw Tom, making his way toward him
 "Capn, l war iist CT looldn' fur ye. Didn't know what d become O yer" "Tom, want you to guard this door, and allow no one to enter it unless | order it. Mind my instructions, now, no one enters without my permission. There are two frightened girls in there who must not be molested. i'
 T understand, Cap'n, n ye depen' ont" said Tom, taking up his position in the door way.
 Cotton, Snow and Max came up at this moment for instructions
 "See that no injury is done the house." the Captain said
 ''Some ar talkin' O burnin' it,n said Cor poral Max.
 ''It must not be done" At this moment Captain Lawrence came up and informed Luke that three Confed- crates had been killed, five wounded and six taken prisoners About half dozen, he thought, had escaped, also some women and children. Their own loss was four killed and two badly wounded
 What had we better do; burn the house" asked Captain Lawrence.
 By no means.n Luke answered. Its only a harbor for rebels.'
 1t may be, but it's against our instruc- tions to burn any houses. We have gone as far as we dare, and it would be best for us to return"
 Captain Lawrence was as anxious as some of his men to burn the house but Luke was his superior on this expedition and he com pelled to obey him.
 While they were still talking about burn ing the house the loud cracking of flames reached his ears.
 What is thati' Luke demanded
 'Cap'n, the troops hey set the house on fire said Max.
 Put it out. - cried the angry Captain, aud he rushed into the kitchen where the flames were cracking and blazug The cavalry men had carried arms full of straw, shay ings and sticks and piled on the kitchen floor, which they had ignited Captain Mason hurled three cavalrymen whom ka found at the door watching with fiendish satisfaction the result of their work into the burning apartment, and shouted to them in
  the Eternal you shall burn with it." TLe men plunged into the binding smoke and stifiing heat, and with their swords be- gan to pitch the blazing straw and shayings out of the windows into the yard. Their comrades carried water for them, and Tn a short time the fire was extinguished.
 Il will shoot the frs man who attempts such a thing" cried Luke, almost white with passion.
 "What are your ordersl l' asked the off cer in command of the cavalry.
 "Return at once to the front
 And these rebels"
 sTake all that are able to go with us the others must, of course, be left; allow no one to be hurt None but towards kill pris oners. Get your men in readiness"
 few moments later the bugle sounded and the cavalrymen returned to their horses. Captain Mason, with his four trusty companions, remained until the very last.
 .'Tom." said Captain Mason to old Arlan- saw, who was still at his post, you, Max, Cotton and Snow go bring the horses to the front gate and wait for me. l will come soon.n
 "Wcll do t, Capn; you can depend on we'uns every time,n said Tom.
 As soon as every man was out Of the house Luke went into tine apartment where Lillie and Elsie, halt dead with fear lest Albert's hidng-p place might be discovered, sat on a sofa clasped in each others arms.
 "They are gone" said Luke. '.I am the last Union man in the house, and have only come to bid you adeu.
 Luke, Luke darling Luke. let me thank you thousand times for saving my brother" cried Lille, fnging her arms about his neck.
 Their lips met in a warm kiss of love, and he led her to the sofa, where few words of tondest affection were spoken.
 Don't forget, darling Lille. that war is cruel, and we can not always control our own destiny. Thank Heaven, 1 was able to save your brother, but had been only sec ond Tn command l would have been power less. The fortunes of war may at any time turn against uS, and one or both may fall Hope for the best-be prepared for tie worst.n
 The parting was short and repleto with tender solicitude. Pressing burning kiss on those sweet, pale lips, he hastened from the house
 His companions were already in the sad de, and mounting his own horse they gal loped down the road to overtalze the cavalry