The Washington times., 1911-06-29
CHAPTER XIV (Continued).

CHAPTER XIV (ContinueO.
IN UT why don't you lean on me
more2 Please don't be afraid.
II See how strong I am
The strong lady Of the
Appomattox!" he retorted. and they
laughed together like children.
At the foot of the stairs Philip
Vaughan awaited them, a goose-quill
thrust over his ear and two tnky fingers
laid on the faded bosom of his dressing
gown
Colonel Grigg," remarked he some
what grandly, my only regret, sir, is
that have not one drop of wine In my
cellar with which to pledge you on your
happy restoration to health
lust make it the old gourd of spring
water" said the invalid You can't
beat that. During the weeks 1 couldn't
speak, and a certain small hand used
to carry that gourd to my lips, I
thought 1t the sweetest drink mortal
ever tasted" He looked down at
Della, smiling, and she got red and
made a face at him, half defiant, half
pleased.
Il didn't know you were SO thirsty
said she, "or I'd have used the pail.
did you ever try to write poetry, colo
nel?' inquired the poet From various
expressions Of yours recently 1 sur
mise you could
some of the gratitude 1 feel to you all.
After the trouble and grief 1 had
caused, surely 1t was strange you should
take me In here from the field hospital
and nurse me back to life"
You saved my brothers life at the
last" Della said. We've forgotten the
rest"
They were helping him to the porch
49, lie nd M Y
got him seated safe in the chair. He
,breathed a sigh of contentment as he
settled back among the pillows and
turned his eyes upon the rustic scenery
around.
Woods and fields lay deep in June:
the tall grass waved a myriad OF tiny
spears in the yard and beyond the
tunfble-down fence an expanse Of yell
lowing grain dimpled and darkened in
the summer breeze. Della, sitting on
the. porch step. watched the invalid's
face &C.. ,..u+,,r,n b. declared in an
swer to her unspoken question.
Il thought. you'd like it
These sylvan vistas,'' said Philip
Vaughan standing beside them and ex-
tending a thin hand appreciatively out
ward, exert a mild but compelling In
huence on ones Imagination. When
Virginia laid down the sword and bent
her neck to the conqueror.s yoke, there
remained only the deathless story OF
had hoped to embalm in hexameters.
But, do you know, I've written prac-
ticaily nothing since We've been here;
And now I just follow Floyd around
the farm and dream bucolics."
You never told me, among the other
explanations" said the invalid, address
ing Della, 'how you came to be living
here instead of at Richmond"
This is one of my properties, the
old gentleman replied, trife embar-
raised circumstances impelled US
hither, but adversely still. as In the days
of shakespeare, bears a precious Jewel
In its snout. My health improves every
day from the odor of those pines"
I'm other words" Della added with
laugh and shake Of her head, we got
starved out of Richmond during the
siege Last February the lease on this
farm expired. so we came here: 1t was
rather hard at first" she draWleo' Nv
ing on cornmeal. Lymus ran away too
and Joined q black regiment. But since
the surrender, now that Floyd is home
to-take charge Of things and a few OF
our negroes have drifted back, we're
getting along nicely.
They were left alone on the porch, Della
and the invalid. Philip Vaughan mad
withdrawn upon an impulse to resume
his writing.
For a time they sat in contented ST.
lence, the girl looking idly across the
wheat field at pun OF woolly CLOUD on
the horizon, while the man watched the
breezes dishevel her soft, dark hair; she
Smoothed it back from her forehead.
and looking up at him in the process,
smiled and flushed pretuly to ma MS
OHes so intent upon her.
"'I ought to wear a sunbonnet, said
she. but 1 detest the things"
The inflow at his head slipped down.
She went behind his chair to rearrange
it, and he, reaching up, caught her hand
and drew It around and kissed the pink
fingers. .,.os o.,,,a hin,
little slap. Suppose Uncle d , phiIip should
Are you ashamed Of it3' he asked IN
a low voice, and tried to draw her from
behind the chair.
'tOf whatT'
THAT you promised TO marry the no
'0T1 %hy. TIE did it from the very best and
Hottest Of motives" she whispered de-
murely. $50 why should I be ashamed!
II was to save my brothers life: And
see, there's Floyd now, riding back from
town on your horse" She pointed to a
figure on horseback far down the lane.
II don't refer to that letter you wrote
sisted, keeping hold Of her hand; OF
course not. I mean your promise of
*But having written the letter, I
couldn't do otherwise, could l, when you
Please come around in front where I
can see you. want to Watch your race
mo. Your eyes never miss anything.
You might see too much. And my
Twas # only on account Of that old
letter that you said yes?"
'-What makes you ask such useless
o,festIons?" she murmured, resisting
him.
ma 70 fake advantage OF such q promise,
wrung from you by terror. never In
tended TO hold that old letter over you"
TDo YOU want to release me from tt?'
she demanded in an inexpncaole tone.
God forbidr'
az asked you to release me- would
Won he willing?' she demanded again,
quite sharply.
After silently studying the cadences OF
heT voice a full minute, he answered her
att last with a smiling no.
''oh, I'm 80 glad you're hrm about II