ed to see you again," he exclaimed, with a smile,
"except you come in peace. I trust that the telegraph wire has not been
cut, or the railroad torn up again."

"Nothing of the kind has happened," answered the Lieutenant.

"Then I reckon I am in no danger of arrest, and I trust you will take
dinner with us. It is nearly ready."

The invitation nearly took away the Lieutenant's breath, but he accepted
it gladly. As they were going toward the house, Mr. Osborne remarked,
carelessly, "I see you have thrown a guard around the house. Are you
afraid of an attack? I know of no body of Confederates in the vicinity."

"The truth is," replied Haines, "we ran into a lone Confederate about a
mile from here. We captured his horse, but he succeeded in escaping to the
woods, after killing my horse. I did not know but he might have found
refuge here; and, excuse me, Mr. Osborne, but I may be under the necessity
of searching your house."

"Do as you please," replied Mr. Osborne, coldly; "I have seen no such
Confederate; but if I had, I should have concealed him if I could. But do
not let this circumstance spoil our good nature, or our dinner."

Just then they met Sergeant Latham returning from posting the guard.
"Sergeant, you may withdraw the guard," said the Lieutenant; "Mr. Osborne
informs me he has not seen our runaway Confederate."

The Sergeant turned back to carry out the order, muttering, "Confederate!
Confederate! The Lieutenant is getting mighty nice; he generally says
'Rebel.' "

If Lieutenant Haines was surprised at the cordial greeting he had received
from Mr. Osborne, he was more than surprised at the reception he met from
Mrs. Osborne, and especially the daughter, Miss Clara.

Miss Osborne was a most beautiful girl, about twenty years of age. No
wonder Lieutenant Haines felt his heart beat faster when he looked upon
her. When he met her the week before, she treated him with the utmost
disdain; now she greeted him with a smile, and said, "I trust you have not
come to carry papa away in captivity. If not, you are welcome."

"Nothing of the sort this time, I am happy to say," exclaimed the
Lieutenant, with a bow, "and I hope I shall never be called upon to
perform that disagreeable duty."

"Thank you," she answered, with a smile. "Now, you must stay and take
dinner with us while your men rest."

"The Lieutenant tells me he met with quite a little adventure, about a
mile below here," said Mr. Osborne.

Miss Osbo