Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-13
ATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT. SATURDAY. APRIL 1 1889

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 adieu and was already on his way to join company of recruits for the Confederate army.
 CHAPTER Il.
 DLAckHAwK-A soLDIER-THE SURPRISE
 Luke Mason, as already told, had been rescued when an infant from the river and reared ns the adopted son of MT. Neffs brother. who was childless. The brothers had lived on adjoining farms until old Seth Heh's death, which occurred about two years before the time of which we write Luke had grown up with Albert and Lillie, 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 thelr union but TOT the distressing state of the country.
 When tho lovers returned to the house they found the old farmer still sitting on the porch, bathed in the moonlight.
 "Wall, Luke, It's time ye war gone U bed, !" he said, with sigh. The old man still felt sad from parting with his son, whom he knew he might never sec again. "How long ar yc gwine t stay9"
 II leave in the morning."
 "Why 8 soona"
 ''It's best"
 The old man again gave utterance to o groan, and Luke leading Lillie to the door, bade her goodnight and promised to see her early in tho morning. Then he returned to MT. Neff, and, drawing Q chair near to his side, said:
 'Mr. Nen, want those clews to my iden- tity."
 "What yer mean, Luke2a
 II mean tho things which were found about me when I was taken, like Moses, 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 han kercher."
 ''Let mo have the handkerchief, then; it will be some clew. 1 may by it discover my percentage. Any way, it shall be pre- cious relic, with which will never part" The old man rose and called to a 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 a look of uneasi ness came over his face.
 Its gone," he said.
 "Look well; 1t may have got in some other nook" said Luke, eagerly.
 He did so. He went through drawer after drawer, but at last, in despair, whis pered:
 "It's stolen"
 "Who did it!"
 answer. They searched every where that 1t 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 loud noise of confused voices in which were mingled oaths, threats and the plead ings of MT. Nef and his daughter.
 "Shet up, old man we hain't agwine ter hurt you or yer gal; but we'll hang that ar aberlition n spite O h-l!" growled heavy voice. Luke, alarmed, sprang from his bed and ran to the window. The front yard was filled with armed men. Mr. Neff and Lillle both partially in n1ght-clothes were in front of the door.
 ''You shall not hurt him" cried the brave girl. He has not harmed you."
 "But he's aberlition, gal, an we'll hang i'm UT die. Haint ye Southern gala"
 '1 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 s'T'ar down the do' 1" "Bu'n the houser' and 0 hundred other angry exclamations 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 coming to this neighborhood, especially from free soil State like Ohio. He was at a 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 a voice whispered:
 "Massa, Massa Luke!"
 Blackhawk, is 1t you?" he asked.
 "Yes, massa; dc berry debil am to play. Secesh come to hang yer. Come wid me, an, by golly, I'll show ye how to git away from 'em."
 There was no time forihesitation, even for thought. He followed the negro out into the hall, where Blackhawls thrust horse pistol in his hand.
 "Blow um ter de debil eff um come" said the negro in a whisper.
 "Where did you get thisa"
 "Nebber mind, massa-can't tell yer now, come on. Elf yer gwine ter help free my wife an little baby I'll help yer."
 He led him down the stairs and they were hastening out the rear way when a white robed figure suddenly ran down the hall and, throwing her arms about him, said:
 "Ohl Luke, Luke; go fly for your life."
 One kiss on her beautiful forehead, one whispered goodbye" and he was out fol. tk$:az'pb|' pb|'l6t&Ra b'l6nt&Ra \