The Washington times., 1911-06-18
CHAPTER XVI (Continuedl

Until they reached Clay street
the girl led the dazed old man
homeward, and seemed the
stronger. But when they turn
ca the last corner and home ap-
peared and Binah and Lymus came
running with umbrellas to meet them,
Della suddenly staggered and sank
uo"n' Rinah dashed up. imprecating
Ine world in general, and lifted her from
the snow in her strong, black arms.
Honey chile! LII honey chile! Des
come to yo' ole mammy! Huh cay yo'
safe"
fear she is not WELL" remarked poor
Philip Vaughan blankly. The weather
is depressing"
Blnan carried the girl into the house,
undressed her, put her tc bed, and af-
terward savagelv guarded the bed room
door, allowing no ore TO disturb her.
Hours passed during which Della knew
notnlnG' and the next few days she ex-
listed In kind OF dreaming stupOr. Fri
DAY came. and With 1t the shock that
was needed to arouse her, for relatiy es
brought word that Floyd was con-
demned TO be shot at dawn on Saturday.
The information cid not reach her till
evening because of the mammy's jealous
vigilance. hut when she receiN ed II she
got W. insisted on dressing. and came
downstairs- to her uncle; She found
him in his room, his white hair un-
combed, his silken gown huddled about
his shoulders. He was seated at his
desk fumbling some old manuscript in
an abstracted manner. 1t was then past
o'clock.
Uncle Philip" she resolutely de-
clared. we must go and see the Presi-
dent tonight"
"Eh? The President? Why so?"
Please do not stop to ask questions,
change
with ne across the street"
Across the street H-m-to the Brock
enbrough House?"
Yes, yes. where President Davis
lives. He holds a reception tonight, and
we must see him before
How well 1 remember" murmured
the old gentleman. brushing his thin
hand across his eyes, "how we'll l re-
walking among the flowers in her ter
raced garden! Bless me, it's years and
years ago. l wrote some verses TO her
once-a mere trif1e-let me think" With
feeble susto he began then to declaim:
Sweetest. mid sweets thou waIkest by
Heart of thy garden of fiow'rs;
Freshly they bloom beneath thin eye
AS bloom these hearts OF ours.
MY memory fails me. But. anyway,
she thanked me most sraciously for the
verses
'Uncle Philip. won't you hasten"
he in the midst of his reception if you
don't dress yourself at once"
The President receives tonight?'
stammercd Philip Vaughan. And
have no clothes suitable to wear" 1t
was evident mis- mind was wandering.
"Clothesv And at that Della grew
almost frantic. You Will not under
stand This is not a question of clothes,
but of saving Floyd's life. Please,
please dress yourself
II am not so strong as was once
he REPLIED slowly, rOnplused: and my
pody-servanI is somewhat indisposed OF
late"
"Hyar him now." muttered Binah, who
had followed her little mistress down.
stairs and into the room. The nanny
rolled her eyes in astorishment. "Hyar
him now-an' he done SOL dat trlf1ln
Hainry months ago."
Della desperately persisted. however,
and after u while he seemed to get
some Glimmer of the urgency OF acton
for he flowed her to draw off his dress
ing gown and help him on with his best
coat and hat
Nevertheless. the clock struck betore
the girl had prepared herself and her
uncle for a visit to the President. \
military band was already playing some
light lively music across the street. and
the windows Of the Brockenbrough man
sion fiared with lights. for Jefferson
Davis and his wife received the public
that evening at their eimonthly leVee.