Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-20

pretend to bo friends. If you intend to make captive of mo pick up your sword, winch I sec is already stained with the blood of my comrades, and we will have 1t out''
 I.llie, who had partially recovered, start cd up, and, f1inging her arms about her lover's neck, cried
 'Oh, dear, darling Lukei Spare him for my salze.''
 In second love had triumphed over duty. What cared he for promotion as compared with tho happiness of that dear girl who chung to his neck. But he knew he must find some means of keeping the presence of Albert from the soldiers for they might insist on killing or capturing the Confeder- ate, despite all he could do Their blood was up and they were furious. There came a knock at the boltcd door. Whatever he did must be done quickly, for some one was demanding admittance. "Spare him, Luke, ohl in heavens name, save my brother!" sobbed Lllre, clinging to her lover's neck. Il will, darling; but we must be discreet" he answered.
 Rap, rap, rap! came louder and more de- termined knocks at the door. II can't git in" said one of the troopers. "Bring an axe an I'll bust the door down." There was not a moment to lose. Albert Neff, for tho sake of these young ladies, help me to save yourself. You know full well what the result will be when that door is broken de.yn," said Luke in an undertone
 "What do you mean, Lukes'' Albert | asked, considerably moved by Captain Mason's earnest manner. "Conceal yourself someGhere, where | you can not be found until get my mon away from the house." The next question was where could he | find concealmeut- Elsie AIorgan's quick wits came to their aid. There was a closet | in one side of the largo bedroom, and she sprang to 1t and opened tho door. "In with you, quick said Luke, and Al 1 bert was not slow to obey. Closing the 1 door the Union Captain, by the hid of the | girls, drew a large bedstead in front of 1t. The head-board being high and broad, com l pletely hid the door of the closet
 "Now play your parts shrewdly, and all will be well," he whispered to the terrifieS girls.
 Bring an axe, I'm agoin' to bust this door down." a voice cried from without. Luke knew there must be no longer de- lay, and opening the door he walked out, saying:
 "Have no fears, ladies, you shall not be harmed"
 "Why, hello! Cap'n, war you i'll thar?" | cried the astounded trooper, who was anx- 1 tous to ''bust the door down." "Yes; there is no one in there but two frightened girls"
 But I'd swar heerd men a talkin'."
 "You heard myself Where is Captain 1 Lawrencel" Luke asked, determined to get 1 rid of this inquisitive trooper. "Sum'ars n the 'ousew "Hunt him up and send him here"
 This door was the only entrance to the r 1 ,,,S @g,.,$ 1 should enter the apartment where the girls and thSconcealed officer were. Tho soldier hurried away to find his Captaln.
 II 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 most desired to sec, Arlsansaw Tom, making his way toward him.
 "Cap'n, I WAT jist CT lookin' fur ye. | Didn't know what d become O yer" sTom, I want you to guard this door, and i allow no one to enter it unless I order it. Mind my instructions, now, iso ono enters without my permission There arc two frightened girls in thero who must not be | molested."
 understand, Cap'n, n yc depen' ont ' said Tom, taking up his position in the doop l way.
 Cotton, Snow and Max came up at this moment for instructions
 SSC lHab uo lhJutS IS tohS tirS the Captain said
 "Some arr talkin' O burnin' it," 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 anC
 six taken prisoners. About half dozen, h;
 thought, had escaped, also some wome.
 and children. Their own loss was foul
 killed and two badly wounded. ''What had we better do; burn tho housel.
 asked Captain Lawrence "By no means" Luke answered. ''lt's only a harbor for rebels.'
 ''It may be, but it's against our instruo tions to burn any houses. We have gone as far as we dare, and it would be best fol
 us to return"
 Captain Lawrence WAS as anxious as som'
 of his men to burn tho house, but Luke wa his superior on this expedition and he com pelled to obey him. While they were still talking about burn ing tho1house tho loud cracking of flame , reached his ears.
 "What is that." Luke demanded. "Cap'n, the troops hev set the house ol fire," said Max.
 Put it out," cried tho angry Captain, an, he rushed into the kitchen where the flame were cracking and blazing. The cavalr.