at once offered their services, and Arthur Conly, who happened to be spending a few days at his uncle's just at that time, did the same.
"I was brought up a secessionist and my sympathies are still with the Democratic party," he said, "but these Ku Klux outrages I cannot tolerate; especially," he added, looking at Elsie with an affectionate smile, "when they are directed against the home and husband if not the person of my sweet cousin." "You are to me 'a kinsman born, a clansman true,' Art," she said, thanking him with one of her sweetest smiles.
"That's right, old fellow!" cried Horace, clapping his cousin on the shoulder.

"We shall muster pretty strong;--papa, Brother Edward, Mr.
Lilburn, you and I--six able-bodied men within the fortress, with plenty of the best small arms and ammunition; all of us fair shots, too, some excellent marksmen--we ought to do considerable execution among our assailants." "And God being on our side," said Mr.Lilburn, reverently, "we may have strong hope of being able to beat them back." "Yes, 'the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,'" remarked Mr.Dinsmore.

"'Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.'" "And if we do so truly, fully, he will take hold of shield and buckler and stand up for our help," added Mr.Travilla.
The plan of defense was next discussed, but not fully decided upon; it was agreed that that could be done most readily upon the spot, and that accordingly Mr.Dinsmore and the two young men should ride over to Ion shortly after breakfast, to view the ground and consult again with the other two.
"Why not return with us and breakfast at Ion ?" asked Elsie.
"Why not stay and breakfast with us ?" said Rose.
"Certainly," said her husband.

"Take off your hat, daughter, and sit down to your father's table as of old." "Ah, my little ones! I know they are watching now for mamma and wondering at her long delay." "Then I shall not detain, but rather speed you on your way," he said, leading her out and assisting her to mount her horse.
The children had thought mamma's ride a long one that morning, and much they wondered at papa's unusual silence and abstraction.

He quite forgot to romp with them, but indeed there was scarcely time, as he did not come in from the fields till the breakfast bell had begun to ring.
Grace had just been said, every one was sitting silent, quietly waiting to be helped (the children were all at the table, for "Cousin Ronald" who had been with them for a week, was now considered quite one of the family).