Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-09-06

Assheton had heard something Of Pri-
yate hoblnson's career. He knew that
Robinson was "a gentleman ranker >,
one OF those good looking, reckless, un-
lucky fellows against whom fortune
seems to have spite.
AS Assheton came to the side of his
berth the dying man stared up with a
curious expression of defiant despair.
Above him, beside him, all around the
deck lay other sufferers, listening and
Watching to hear what the poor beg
gar" had to say.
1t was hardly the place for con-
fdences, and Assheton felt fully the en-
barrassment of the position. Robinson,
however, had reached the time when
the world recedes into the background
of one's consciousness and what has to
be done must be done at once or left
forever unaccomplished.
BE feebly strove to take something
from under his pillow.
"Can reach that for your" asked
Assheton gently.
"I've waited too long," said Robin
son. "I intended to send this back my
self, but somehow put it off from day
to day. Icouldn't bear to part with it. "
He stopped a minute as he succeeded in
lifting up an envelope, then he contin-
ued, "I want to send this back to her
and tell her that though she sent me to
the devil loved her to the end" He
added, as Assheton took the envelope
containing the photo from him, THE
address is written on the back of it. -
lis there nothing else I can do for
you2o said Assheton huslSily.
Nothing. Thank you, sir, 7" replied
Robinson, and Assheton felt he was dis
missed.
He turned away in silence and left
the hospital deck.
AS he again passed through the dam
GERS the waltz was fastening to its con-
clusion, and the laughing, talking COM
pany were dispensing in search Of ices
and comfortable seats.
Phyllis Welsh was still sitting where
Assheton had left her.
"You weren't long, !" she said, smil-
ing. "What did Tommy want to tell
you? Do tell me all about it2"
Something in her words grated
against Assheton 8 feelings. He sat down
and replied slowly:
He asked me to return photo to a
6AA4J oAO SOA4 AOA 9AaVI 9AOuSA Sh0
played him false, he loved her to the
end. -
"ohw cried Phyllis. Glow interest
ing it soundsI Have you got the photo
there? Do show it to me?"
"You must not ask me to do that, ("
said Assheton gravely.
But Phyllis was not accustomed to
have her wishes ungratified. She leaned
forward and looked up with her Won
derful dark eyes glowing. "Will you
refuse the first request I've ever made
your" she urged.
"of course if you insist hesitated
Assheton.
81 do insist. 1 must see what the girl
is like. Some common, vulgar creature,
L suppose, that the poor fellow idealized
into piece of perfection.
Probably, " assented Assheton dryly,
taking the envelope from his pocket and
producing the photograph.
With eager curiosity Phyllis bent
over.
For the space of second she stared,
rigid with astonishment and dismay,
then exclaiming, "Give it to me-oh,
give it to mep' she tried to snatch the
photograph from Assheton.
1t was too late. Assheton, with blank
disgust, had already recognized the
beautiful likeness.
"Give it to me, - she stammered.
Certainly replied Assheton. SIT
was what promised to do. -
He dropped the photo into her hands
and strobe away.-Temple Bar.