"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 the Ku Klux." He instantly received a unanimous vote of thanks, and the young people began pouring out eager questions and remarks: "Another time; my work is but half done! I must pursue!" he cried, hastily leaving them to seek an exit from the house. Elsie hurried away to see if her little ones still slept. All did but little Elsie, and she was full of joy and thankfulness that her dear papa's cruel foes had been driven away. "Ah, mamma, God has heard our prayers and helped us out of this great trouble!" she said, receiving and returning a tender embrace. "Indeed he has, daughter, let us thank him for his goodness, and ever put our trust in him. Have you been long awake?" "It was their dreadful screams that waked me, mamma. I couldn't help crying for one man; it seemed as if he must be in such an agony of pain. Uncle Joe says Aunt Dicey and the others threw boiling soap into his eyes, and all over his face and head. Mamma aren't you sorry for him?" "Yes, indeed!" and the child felt a great tear fall on her head, resting on her mother's bosom, "poor, poor fellow! he finds the way of transgressors hard, as the Bible says it is. Now, darling, lie down again and try to sleep, I think the danger is all over for to-night."