The Springdale news., 1889-05-17

{ was dyed with human blood Would he ever sec again that bright-cyed, rosy-cheeked ] girl, whose kiss seemed still warm on his | lips. Was lifes bright young dream to end in fire, smoke and carnage!
 Come on, Luke Mason, ard give a hand here" cried one Of his new comrades.
 They were trying 10 rase a rude tent which they had constructed from some wagon sheets. Lukcs experience with tents for fishing and hunting parties stood him in excellent need on the present occa- sion. He showed them how to arrange the ccnter-pole, braces, wings, flies and stays, and in few moments they had quite a re- spectable tent.
 "Thort yad never been in tn sarvce!' said one.
 II never was" he answered.
 "Oh shucks, ye needn't tell that, wc know better,n said a member of his mess called Ned Cotton. ''No 'un who hain't seen saryice could yank tent about that way
 Ned Cotton, Bill Snow, Arlzansaw Tom, Luke and two more occupied the new tent, and spent most of the afternoon lying on the fresh. clean straw with which they had carpeted the earth.
 The day wore slowly by; the routine of camp life had not yet become sufficiently old 10 be monotonous. Men were drilling by companies, patoons, squads, or even singy.
 Yer on fur picket t'-night," said a corporal coming to the door of the tent and l laying bis hand on Luke's shoulder "Go l on It seven"
 "How long do I stay on guard"' asked Luke II had but little sleep last night" | "Only two hours, then comes first rehef," said Corporal Max, who had in the last few days imbiDed world of military knoWl- edge Corporal Max was chrome grum- bier, but q very rigld disclplinaran so far as he knew.
 | At the appointed hour Luke and three others, under Corporal Max, shouldcred their guns and went some three or four miles from the camp, where the road | parted, and there sat down under large tree. This was the extreme picket post | and but slender guard was left about the 1 camp.
 The picket amused themselves telling | stories and commenting on the situation while Luke sat a little apart from the others, his mind filled with that dark strange mystery of his life. What hand had launched that cradle upon the bosom of the flood which bore his infant form, and what was the purpose! Was his destruc- | mony of sin. Then, again, who had stolen the large yellow handkerchief and for what purpose But as these reflections were painful, he tried to cast them aslde and | listen to the chatter of his companions. Il don't think they done come U fight 1 us,' one of the guards, who was lymg on the grass gazing up at the stars, boastfully re- marked. "Wc'd lick 'cm too quick" 'Thev're concentratin at Lexington" said Corporal Max "I don't see what sense thar is in hangin' around here. Why not go thar an clean lem up' Thar's no danger t night 'nless a stragglin' gang runs in on us.n
 ''Theyl be sorry if they do, tho boaster asserted.
 The relief came, and Luke, wearied Tn body and mind, was glad to return to lie down in his tent, for long rides and sleep less nights were beginning 10 tell upon hun. While dragging his weary feet along the road to camp it seemed as if every stepm must be the last Reaching his tent worn out with anxiety and fatigue, he threw himself on pile of straw and was soon Ill the land of dreams.
 In the slumbers of midnight his mind gradually drifted back to the pleasant days he had spent at the old farmhouse in con- pany with Lille. That angry cloud which for moment had flashed from Albert Neff's brow seemed a blur upon their happiness, which was rapidly growing into terrible storm-cloud, obs.ructing the light'and glad ness of the sun.
 Lightning flashed from the dark cloud and peals of thunder, sharp and incessaut, like musket shots, rang out. He saw Lille 1t his feet struggling in death.
 He had stopped over her, when he fcit himself being dragged somewhere by the heels
 My God Whats the matter:" he cried, wide awake.
 ''Glt mp they're fghtin'!' roarcd Ar kansaw Tom in his ear.
 Distant firing affirmed the assertion.