y a sudden
thought, "No, no, let us reconnoitre first!" cried Mr. Dinsmore.
"Horace, run up to the observatory, take a careful survey, and report as
promptly as possible."

Horace bounded away, hardly waiting to hear the conclusion of the
sentence.

"I counsel delay," said old Mr. Dinsmore who was peering through a
loophole, "the troops have not entered the avenue, the Ku Klux may
return; though I do not expect it after the severe repulse we have twice
given them; but 'discretion is the better part of valor.'"

"Right, sir," said Mr. Lilburn, "let us give them no chance for a more
successful onslaught."

"Oh, yes, do be careful!" cried the ladies, joining them, "don't tear
down the least part of our defences yet."

"Have they really fled? Are you all unhurt?" asked Rose in trembling
tones.

"Edward! papa!" faltered Elsie.

"Safe and sound," they both answered.

"Thank God! thank God!" she cried as her husband folded her in his arms,
and her father took her hand in his, while with the other arm he
embraced Rose.

"We have indeed cause for thankfulness," said Arthur, returning from a
hurried circuit of the verandas, "not one on our side has received a
scratch. But I have ordered the men to remain at their posts for the
present."

Horace came rushing back. "I can not understand it! I see no sign of
troops, though--"

"The darkness," suggested his mother.

"Hark! hark! the bugle call; they are charging on the Ku Klux!"
exclaimed Arthur, as a silvery sound came floating on the night breeze.

"Oh they have come! they have come!" cried Rosie, clapping her hands
and dancing up and down with delight. "Now our troubles are over and
there will be no more of these dreadful raids." And in the exuberance of
her joy she embraced first her mother, then her sister, and lastly threw
herself into her father's arms.

"Ah I wish it were so," he said caressing her, "but I begin to fear that
the sounds we have heard with so much relief and pleasure, were as
unreal as Bruno's talking a while ago."

"Oh, was it you, Mr. Lilburn?" she cried in a tone of sore
disappointment.

"Ah well, my bonnie lassie, the Ku Klux are gone at all events: let us
be thankful for that," he answered.

"What, what does it all mean?" asked the two young men in a breath,
"what strange deception has been practiced upon us?"

"My cousin is a ventriloquist," replied Elsie, "and has done us good
service in using his talent to help in driving away