The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-11-16

pretend to be friends. If you intend TO
make captive Of me pick up your sword,
which / see is already stained with the
blood of my comrades, and we will have it
out"
Lille, who had partially recovered, start
ed up, and, flinging her arms about her
lovers neck, cried:
'Oh, dear, darling Lukel Spare him for
my sake"
In second love had triumphed over duty
What cared he for promotion as compare
with the happiness of that dear girl VIII
chung to his neck. But he knew he mus
find some means of keeping the presence
of Albert from the soldiers, for they might
insist on killing or capturing the Confeder-
ate despite all he could do. Their blood was
up and they were furious.
There came knock at the bolted door.
Whatever he did must be done quickly, for
some one was demanding admittance.
"Spare him, Luke, oh! in heaven's name,
save my brotherln sobbed LIllie, clinging TO
her lovers neck.
81 will, darling; but we mustbe discreet"
he answered.
Rap, rap, rapl came louder and more de-
termined knocks at the door.
Il can't git in" said one Of the troopers.
"Bring an axe an I'll bust the door down"
There was not moment to lose.
"Albert Neff, for the sake of these young
ladies', help me to save yourself. You know
full well what the result will be when
that door is broken down." said Luke, in an
undertone.
"What do you mean, Luke?" Albert
asked, considerably moved by Captain
Masons earnest manner.
Conceal yourself somewhere, where
you can not be found until l get my men
away from the house."
The next question was where could he
find concealment. Elsie Morgan's quick
wits came to their aid There was closet
in one side of the large bedroom, and she
sprang to 1t and opened the door,
"In with you, quick" said Luke, and Al
bert was not slow TO obey. Closing the
door the Union Captain, by the aid OF the
girls, drew large bedstead in front of 1t.
The head-board being high and broad, COM
pletely hid the door of the closet.
"Now play yourparts shrewdly, and all
will be WE'LL" he whispered to the terrified
girls.
"Bring an axe, I'm agoin' to bust this
door down." voice cried from without.
Luke knew there must be no longer de-
lay, and opening the door he walked out
saying:
"Have no fears, ladies, you shall not be
harmed"
"Why, hello! Cap'n, war you in tharp
cried the astounded trooper, who was anX
ous to "bust the door down"
Eyes; there is no one in there but two
frightened girls"
"But I'd swar heerd men talkin'."
"You heard myself Where is Captain
Lawrencea" Luke asked, determined to gel
rid of this inquisitive trooper.
"Sum'a rs N the 'ousew
'Hunt him up and send him here"
This door was the only entrance to the
bedroom, and Luke determined that no one
should enter the apartment where the girls
and the concealed officer were. The soldier
hurried away to find his Captain.
81 must find some one to guard this doo
that can be trusted Luke said to himself
At this moment he caught sight of tn,
very man he mostdesred to see, Arkansav
Tom, making his way toward him
"Cap'n, l war jist or lookin' fur We
Didn't know what ID become o. yer"
''Tom, want you to guard this door, an,
allow no one to enter it unless order it
Mind my instructions, now, no one enter
without my permission. There are tw
frightened girls in there who must not b
molested"
II understand, Cap'n, m We depen' ont,
said Tom, taking up his position in the door
way.
Cotton, Snow and Max came up at thi
moment for instructions.
"See that 10 injury is done the house,
the Captain said.
''Some ar tallln' o. burnin' it," said Coz
,, poral Max.
, at must not be done"
At this moment Captain Lawrence cam
!, up and informed Luke that three ConfeC
! crates had been killed, five wounded an
, six taken prisoners. About half dozen, h
thought, had escaped, also some wome
. and children. Their own loss was fou
killed and two badly wounded.
'What had we better do; burn the house
asked Captain Lawrence
, "By no MEANS" Luke answered.
, "lt's only harbor for rebels"
at may be, but it's against our instruC
tons to burn any houses. We have gon
as far as we dare, and it would be best 70
US to return"
Captain Lawrence was as anxious as som
of his men to burn the house, but Luke wa
, his superior on this expedition and he con
!, PEELED to obey him.
, While they were still talking about burr
a ing the house the loud cracking of flame
, reached his ears.
"What is thatw Luke demanded.
+ "Cap'n, the troops hev set the house o
! fire. said Max.
, Put it OUT cried the angry Captain, an
, he rushed into the kitchen where the fame
: were cracking and blazing. The cavalr