The Springdale news., 1889-05-17
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CHAPTER II-CONT HUED.

The old man rose and called to a negro boy to bring him 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 q look of uReasi- ness came over his face.
 its gone, " he sad.
 Lock well; it may have got in some other nook. said Luke, eagerly
 FTe cid so. He went through drawer after drawer, but at last, in despair, whis percd;
 Its stolen"
 'Who did it?'
 The farmer could give no satisfactory answer. They searched every where that it 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 q loud noise of confused voices in which were mingled oaths. threats and the plead
 
 "Shet up, old man; VIC hain't agwine ter hurt you or yor gal; but we Il hang that ar aberlItion n spite Q h-ln' growlcd a heavy voice. Luke, alarmed, sprang from h!s bed and ran to the window. The front yard was filed with armed men. Mr Ncff and Llhe both partially III night-clothes were in front of the door.
 You sal not hurt him" cried the brave girl. He has not harmed you.'
 "But he's a abcrliiion, gal, an we'll hang i'm ur die Haint yo Southern gaI!'
 II am-my brother IS on his way to join Price, but you shall not harm a hair of his head"
 A loud shout of disaprroval went mp at ths determined sentence Cries of "1" ar down the der "Bu'n tho housom and q hundred other angry cxclamations drowned the brave girls voice.
 Luke was alarmed. Tho freedom with W-Ich he had declared lis Union scntI- ment3 at thc last stagc station had ruined hm. lie new saw the folly of his coming 10 this nei@lborhCod, especially from a ire. soil State like Ohio. He Tas at a loss what to do as he was wholly unarmed and in capa b.e 1f fnakiaG any defense There came rapid steps along the hall. the door was pulled open, and 2 voice whispered:
 "Massa, blassa Luke"
 BlackhaWk is it you'n he asked
 "Yes, massa; de berry debiI am to play. Soccsh come to hang yer. Come Wd inc, an, by golly, I'll show ye how to git away from 'emn
 There was no tune for hesitation, even for thought lie followed the negro out into the hall, where Blackhawk thrust horse ' 61sqtol in his hand.
 "Bl6rSLm ter de debil ef um come," sad the negroGosa sa whisper.
 Where diS you get this:"
 "Nebbcr miAd, massa-can tell yer now, come on Ef yer gwine ter help free my wife an little baby I'll help yer"
 He led him down the stairs and they were ha5tpning out the rear way when white robed figure suddenly ran down the hall and, throwing her arms about him, said; 'Ohl Lulc Luke; go fly for your life" One kiss on her beautiful forehead, one whispered '' good byc,i and he was out foi- lowing Blacl1hawk, who was urging him on ;.s rapidly as he could. Across the garden, the house lot, and to the rear of the stable where two horses, already saddled and brl- died, held by Tom. waited
 "I got 'em ready fur ye, massa," said Blackhawk II tole Tom ter do it." s.Where shall 20 to escape the mob" ..Wan. ve,s Union, ain yc, massa" "Yesn
 "I know whar dars camp O Unloners, an. golly, Til jest take ye thar ln no lnle- fo mawnin'H' There was no time to barley, for the moo of Southerners were determined to make