“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.”

Returning she met her husband in the hall, “I have been to tell Leland the good news!” he said; “he is very happy over it.  And now, dear wife, go to bed and sleep, if you can; you are looking very weary, and I think need fear no further disturbance.  Your grandfather, Mrs. Dinsmore and Rosie have yielded to our persuasions and retired.”

“And you and papa?”

“Can easily stand the loss of one night’s sleep, but may perhaps get an hour or so of repose upon the sofas.  But we will keep a constant watch till sunrise.  Arthur and Horace are going up to the observatory again, while the rest of us will pace the veranda by turns.”

Morning found the Ion mansion wearing much the appearance of a recently besieged fortress.  How many of the Klan had lost their lives it was impossible to tell, but probably only a small number, as the aim of the party of defense had been, by mutual agreement, to disable and not to slay; but it was thought the assailants had suffered a sufficiently severe punishment to deter them from a renewal of the attack.  Also Mr. Lilburn’s pursuit keeping up the delusion that troops were at hand, had greatly frightened and demoralized them.  So the barricades were presently taken down, and gradually the dwelling and its surroundings resumed their usual aspect of neatness, order, and elegance.