The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-07-12
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This door was the only entrance to the
bedroom, and Luke determined that no one
should enter the apartment where the girls
and the concealed officer were. The soldier
hurried away to find his Captain.
~ must find some one to guard this door
that can be trusted" Luke said to himself
At this moment he caught sight of the
very man he mostdesired to see, Arkansaw
Tom, making his way toward him.
'Cap'n, l war jist er lookin' fur ye.
| Didn't know what ID 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 nv permission. There are two
| frightened girls in there who must not be
molested.''
understand, Cap'n, n We 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.
s'Some ar talkin' o. burnin' it," said Cor
poral Max.
sit 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 housed"
asked Captain Lawrence.
"By no means" Luke answered.
sits only harbor for rebels"
SIT may be, but it's against our instruc-
tons 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
PEELED to obey him.
While they were still talking about burn
ing the house the loud cracking of flames
reached his ears.
"What is thatp Luke demanded.
"Cap'n, the troops hev set the house on
fire." said Max.
"Put it out" cried the angry Captain, and
he rushed into the kitchen where the flames
were cracking and blazing. 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 he
found at the door watching with fiendish
satisfaction the result of their work into the
burning apartment, and shouted to them in
voice of thunder: "Put out the fire, or by
the Eternal you shall burn with it."
Tie men plunged into the binding smoke
and sitting heat, and with their swords be-
gan to pitch the blazing straw and shavings
out of the windows into the yard. Their
comrades carried water for them, and in a
4, -S&;,~ ~ E,-<, lal
81 will shoot the first man who attempts
such thing cried Luke, almost white
with passion.
"What are your ordersl" asked the OH
Ger in command of the cavalry.
"Return at once to the 'front.'
sand these rebels.'
stake all that are able to 60 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"
A 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 Arkan-
saw. who was still at his post, ''you, Max,
Cotton and Snow go bring the horses to the
front gate and wait for ME. will come
soon"
'Well do t, Cap'n; you can depend on
we'uns every time" said Tom.
As soon as every man was out Of the
house Luke went into the apartment where
Lille and Elsie, halt dead with fear lest
Albert's hiding -place might be discovered.
sat on a sofa clasped in each others arms.
They are gone" said Luke. 81 am the
last Union man in the house, and have only
come 10 hid Won a1ipu -
Luke. Luke, darling Luke, let me thank
you thousand times for saving my
brother" cried Lille, flinging her arms
about his neck.
Their lips met in warm kiss of love. and
he led her to the sofa, where a few words of
fondest affection were spoken.
Don't forget, darling Lille. that war is
cruel, and we can not always control our
own destiny. Thank Heaven, was able to
save your brother, but had l been only sec
ond In command 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"
The parting was short and replete with
tender solicitude. Pressing burning kiss
on those sweet, pale lips, he fastened from
the house
His companions were already in the sad
die, and mounting his own horse they gal
Hoped down the road TO overtalSe the cavalry.