The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-08-28
CHAPTER XVIII.

A solitary tallow candle dimly lighted the
dingy apartment, bringing only into partial
relief the objects within. At the rear Of
the cabin, half concealed by the ftful
shadows, were two miserable couohes, on
each Of which lava dark form. A female
knelt at one while another sat upon stool
near by, her face buried in her hands.
Leaning against the wall was sabre in It's
scabbard.
The footsteps OF the Colonel and his at
tendant were unheard, and be had reached
the center Of the room unperceived. Allow,
earnest prayer was beng offered up BY the
girlsh form kneeling at the couch. The
awful solemnity Of the occasion awed even
the man who had grown accustomed 10
death and carnage. The voice he heard was
Of the being whom he loved, and had loved
since his boyhood days. She was the angel
who had visited his dreams and whose
prayers for his safety had seemed more in
vulnerable than armor Of steel, She was
uttering q prayer for dying man, Colonel
Morgan, the fiery Southerner, while his
daughter sat by his side weeping. Some.
how Luke dared not break that awful
silence.
The sound of horses feet were heard
without, then Of some one slo WY dismount-
| ing. tH
Thar, boys. Pm all right now thank
ee fur comm wi me. Ahi dear me, It fist
pears like these war times ar gwine q
kill every body" said weak voice from
without, which Luke recognized as Mr..
Jordan Men, Lilies father. It was the
same dyspeptic, pessimistic voice Luke had
heard year and q half before on his last
visit TO the dear old farmhouse.
The voice was also heard by the wounded
man and praying girl
"Fatheri' said Albert, starting up and
leaning on his elbow.
"Father!p cried Lille, springing 70 her
feet. Then, for the first time, Colonel
Mason's presence was discovered. "Oh,
Luke-Luke-Lukel she cried hinging
her arms about his neck Mr.. NeR en-
tered, and, for q moment stood gazing in
amazement t4
"wall, l declar, what do u all meanP' be
finally gasped.
Explanations were soon made and Mr.
Neff told how that he had come near 70
Pittsburg Landing hoping TO see his son,
and that he learned that he was wounded
and got some very nice soldiers TO show him
10 the place. Upon examination Of AIberps
wound Luke was soon satisfied that IL was
not necessarily fatal But 1t was evident
that Colonel Morgan was dying, and could
live but q few hours at most. He was still
strong, however, and told them that he was
shot on the second day when the fighting
was almost over. He had fallen back sew
eral hundred rods from the enemy and was
riding along ridge when single rihe-shot
rang out from the bushes on his left and he
fell pierced in the breast by bullet.
my boy, my brave Jasper, made his es-
cape, trust. Ihope, Colonel Mason, II ever
you meet him you will be as kind to him as
you were 10 my daughter when you protect
ed our home from the recruits. He and
Elsie are all have unless-unless-"
"Unless WHAT" asked the Colonel.
"The other one be living"
''Of whom are you tallingi What other
one do you mean, Colonel Morgani" Luke
asked, knowing full well that the man had
not long 10 live, and that whatever he had
TO say must be said Immediately.
81 once had child two years older than
Jasper. But when an infant-a mere in
fant-the child was stolen from me-" He