The Hazel Green herald., 1891-07-03
copyrighted, 1ss9.l
CHAPTER XI.
LOVE TRIuMpHANr

For moment the quartette stood duml
and stupetied with amazement. At n glanc,
Lille Neh recognized her lover. She trieC
To speak, to move, but tongue and limbs
seemed paralyzed, and she could only star,
in speechess amazcment. Albert Neff need
not have been astonlshed at meeting the
friend of his boyhood here. for he knew he
was in Grants division; SO might Luke ex
pect TO meet Albert, but the presence OF
Lille, whom he supposed to be safe in her
Missouri home, filled him with astonisn-
ment.
Elsie Morgan recognized him as the brave
Union soldier who had saved her house
when the recruits would have burned it.
Luke. comprehending the situation, bolt
ed the door which he had closed on discover
Ing who the occupants Of the room were
Lille having regaincd her voice murmured (:
Luke, Lukem and staggered toward him
he caught her in his arms just as she
swooned, and pressed the uScnsiblc girl for
moment 10 his heart. His crimson blade
fell TO the carpeted floor, and raising Lille
in his arms he carried her to u sofa, where
he laid her down.
Since Lille in love, fear and amazoment
had uttered his name not another word had
been spoken. The sounds of struggle IN
other parts OF tho house were becoming
hushed. Tcnderly the young officer bont
over the insensible girl, pressed kiss upon
her marble cheek, aud, seizing water
pitcher from u stand near by, bathed her
face until she began 10 revive. When her
recovery was assured he arose aud, turning
upon the brother who, sword IN hand, still
stood in tho center of the room. he said:
"This is the saddest meeting of ALL"
81 will not surreudcrr the Confederate
Kissed for answer Elsie, throwing one
ey.n about his neck, clung TO his sword-arm
and sobbed bitterly.
ALBERT, this is folly" Luke began, but
Captain Neftinterrupted him.
Its useless TO argue You have IL in
your power TO kill me. Do II If you want TO,
for have sworn that l will never give up
my sword TO A Yankee. The house that
covered my head when child has been
burned"
"What, burned" gasped Luke
"Ycs; burned by Lincoln's hirolings, and
my old father in his feebleness rendered
homeless
"My God tho house burned and with it
tho old wooden cradle in tho attic" Luke
gasped. "The last clcw to my identity is
gone" Albert, not noticing tho effect of
this revelation upon Luke, went on:
"Father and sister both mado homeless
wanderers and banished from their coun-
try, and you ask me To surrender No, so
help mo God, neverl Elsie, leave the
rooml'
"No, no, no." the pale, beautiful girl cried.
clinging closer 10 him. IL will not leave YOU,
Albert-no, neveS Let us die together"
Luke was in "A dilemma To bring his
troops into the room would be Albert's
death in the presence OF his sister whom
Luke loved dcarcr than his own life. To
screen hlm would ruin CaptGn Mason's
chances for promotion a. tho very moment
when he had the Colonelcy almost in his
reach.
"Albert, think what position your conduct
places me in,n Luke began.
"You placed yourself in this position.
Luke Mason, we have carried this hollow
sham of friendship in war as long as we
can Weare belligerents, and it's useless TO
pretend TO be friends. IL you intend 70
make captive Of me pick up your sword,
which / SEQ Is already stained with the
blood Of my comrades, and we viii have it
outn
Lille, who had partially recovered, start
cd up, and, fiinging her arms about her
lovers neck, cried;
Lob, dear, darling Lukei Spare him for
my sake"
In sccona love had triumphed over duty.
Wb.l carvd no for promotion as compared
wi:h tho happiness OF that dear girl who
arng 70 hlr neck. But he knew he must
fnu some means OF keeping the presence
Of Albert frnm the soldiers. Tor they might !
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