The Washington times., 1913-08-13

v n RrOeS, GRAFTON leu lIle pour H.
tie lonely girl. Anxious TO es-
cape from even their friendly eyes, she
turned to the nearest door, which hap
pened to be that of the drawing room.
He half carried, half led her into the
long room.
Phil" she said. as he colsed the door,
tell me the truth. Is grandfather 60
ing to die?"
Il am afraid so, little sweetheart"
He watched her narrowly as he spoke,
fearful lest she should break down. Her
eyes were preternaturally bright and
her face paler than ever, but there was
no unsteadiness in the glance with which
she looked at him.
What did he mean-about- Here
she hesitated.
About our marriage Ariadne?" asked
Grafton. slowly.
1t isl wish you to be my wife. Will
YOU" he asked her.
But II am so young.
Your grandfather has given his con-
sent. 1t is the dearest wish Of his
heart"
And of yours, Philip"
Grafton lied like a gentleman. With
the rich beauty of Kathleen kIrkwoods S
face shifting him as he spoke, he yet
looked steadily at the pathetic face Of
the young girl so close to him and an
sWered:
ii is the dearest wish of my own.
He stepped nearer to her and stretch
ed out his arms TO take her' but the
girl put one slender hand upon his
breast.
Wait. Phil" she said slowly. L am
SO young-and l have no mother l
v onder what Is best Tor me TO do
Perhaps the old man was wrong; 1t
ma .. be that Ariadne did not love him
There might be d way of escape,
thought Grafton.
DO you love me. little sweethe ?"
he asked. employing his boyhOOd pet
name for her There was touch OF
eagerness in his question which she
Love you. Phil" Her hands went
together against her breast.
The moon had just risen. A broad
Ueam Of light strrimed through the
room and fell upon her. He was as
tonished, almost appalled,. by the
change in her expression. The contrast
between her look OF d moment before
anG that present aspect MAS almost IS
great as from the darkness in which he
Yes his way was dark. her path WaS
light He had his answer and his
sentence in that eXClamatiOH. For the
H. 81 time in his life he had a perCep-
ton OF the possibilities of beauty in
that :ace. and for second he forgot
the Northern woman. He stepped
nearer to Ariadnc and took her hands.
Then YOU accept me-" he said. you
make me very glad. You will make
YOUR Srandfather's last hours very
happy. You viii be my wife,"
''But-but-I am only a-Girl- a Chlh
--" she urged. hcsitntingly. forgetful
OF her claim Of the AFTERNOON.
And a child yOU shall br until the
war IS ended. You shall bear M name.
dear. I will claim you when the fight
ing is over
He drew her toward him. slipped an
arm around her and pressed her to
his heart. She made no resistance Sh.
trusted herself to him. and she was
glad
is it settled. them" he asked.
"PhN.' said the girl suidCn MY raising
her head 1t seemed to her that She
had grown Years in the last few mo-
mcnts. She laid her hand upon his
shoulder and leaned away from him =
upon her. DO you really love me-"
II do"
This is not 10 please grAndf ither?''
Philip shook his lead
There is no other girl in voIr heart?''
Philip thanked God for the darkness
which concealed his cIeuched hand.
NO one" he said forcing the false
hood
That girl YOU wrote about. Kath-
leen KirkwOOd?"
There is nothing between US"
"Dn your word Of honor, Phil"
"On my word OF honor. there isn't
anything b"tw' en- US" he said prompt
ly. glad to be able 10 assure her Of
that on" fact ''Why do you question
me in this way dearest?"
Il wish to be sure. am so alone.
YOU see--and ! don't know. II my
mother were only here"
"AradnA. ! viii be mother. father
brother. husban nG-everything-tO you.
If YOU will only take me-" he urged.
pei sGading hims' that in all these