The Irish standard., 1889-04-27
THE IRISH. STANDARD: SATURDAY. APRIL u.

at the side of the couch A crumpled news
paper in the middle of the floor and the dis
arranged furniture all bore evidence of
hasty flight
Filled with strange dread, Luke has
tened to the next room, calling the name OF
lille. with no answer save the hollow echo
OF his own voice.
He soon satisfied himself that the house
was deserted. A warm dinner was smok-
ing on the table in the dining room, which,
convinced him that the house had been but
recently occupied.
Hoping that the owners might be near
he ran to the garden, then to the negre
quarters, out they could nowhere be
found. He was about to return when
black face peeped out from cluster O.
goodbines at the rear of a chimney to one
of tue negro huts, and voice SAID:
Mass Lake, AN dot you?'
Rlackhawk, why are you hiding thext5e
Luke asked.
"Hidin', massa; all de others au done
gone an hided, an so did IL
ssWho are you hiding from2"
"Dun no, massa. Ali de odoers 5ey
runs an hided, an dis chile did, too
Dun no, boss; she am ole massa runs
like de dehll war after 'em down into Gle
woods, an lef' me heah by myself. an Gen
600 after the1n--teN them they shall not
he harmed.n
:'Couldn't find 'e,n, massa,"
.'Go and try. I must see Lille, and
have but short time to stay. / must see
her father, too. left SO suddenly that
night tnat J. did not get to say all
Wshed.@
Il KIN GO, massa. but ten to one DON'T
fluid um.''
The head withdrew into the woodbines,
Slight rustEng noise and the negro was
gone over the low fence into the ToGu be-
yond.
When Luke returned he found his COM
rades seated at the farmers table helping
themselves to the ready cooked dinner
Gas they've all yanoosed we thought it
best ter keep this AZ grub from spllin', said
ola Tom.
luke felt inclined to deny them the right
to appropriate the dinner Of others. but, the
pangs of hunger at last overcoming him, he
icined them in the feast.
Having satisfied their appetites the five
soldiers went TO the front yard, where taey
saw the advance guard of the little army
coming down the hill.
;sTake your places in front Oh the tences
and allow no one to come inside: " said Luke.
The first soldier VINO attempted to force
mis- way inside was stopped by ArlSausay
Tom, who sai0:
Eye can't come in"
"Why?' the man asked.
"Because we've orders ter perfect THIS
ere property"
''Hain't they seeeshl"
'Dun make no dlf'rence; we uns hev
orders, an you ms lin go on
The man turned TO his companions, who
had halted near, and said:
'sThey've got a guard thar au' won't let us
i'm
iW7hat # they hev!" cried a great, blus-
tsring, bury fellow. "Hain't they secesh'
Now let's 20 in an burn the house down"
stlf We do ye'll make trouble FUR yer
Selves" said Tom.
s'They're secesh, an I'm ergoin' t burn
tn: house. I'll see who's init, too. Come
on, you ms, II we hais.'t too big covards.n
Luke cast O. glance at the old house be-
meath whose friendly roof he had passed
his happiest days. 1t was the home Of his
friends, TIE homo Of his betrothed--and IN
the attic was the old wooden cradle winch
had borne his infant form On the flood. This
last relic of his m ysterious babyhood would,
of course, perish with the house. He de-
teruained to defend II with his life.
Leaping On tlla t'at-topped gate, tbs re-
cruit cooked hts musicet. The fires in those
eyes warned the men Of the danger.
''Ha}s!' ae cried, So sharply that they In
SANITY came TO a staad-still. He glared
at them for a moment and said: fsDon't al
low that bully to Lead you to Tx, sor In.
tend to shoot the frst7nan who attic mpts to
; enter"
ssYe'r not SIGH towards as tic be skeered
by him; 60 on,'' cried the boaster, taking
care not to advance a'step hinlself,
s;Stay where you are, men, and if he wants
10 turn tho house, let him come and try it. y
"Yes, lack, go AM burn the house, and
ve'u wait here" said one Of the boaster's
con panions.
Rut lack was not quite SO ready to go as
10 send others. He stamped and swore he
wonld eat the earth, when luke resolutely
but cco!ly assured hun that he woula get a
taste ct it it ne attempted to enSer the gate.
'sHain't ye comin' ter help mea" lack
roered.
"Iaint 40 use," said AN old farmer look
ing recruit, seating hmSen On The wood
pile. ':There's only i've On 'en,, and ye say
We lin clean out d dozen any time. Ye don't
need us-~no we'll stay here and watch ye. :"
For moment lack hesitated between
pride as bully and fear Of the 1nusket.
Pride at last got the better OF his fears, and,
with volley Of oaths, he took a step toward
the gate. Instantly Luke's gun covered his
heart.
CHAPTER w.
A. SAuCY REBEL
Again the booster halted and fixed his
eyes on the resolute soldier upon the gate.
There was no mistaking the intent OF the