The Washington times., 1913-09-16

"H
= all from relief that the inevr.
liable which had been impending has
at last occurred; and the greater
lightness that comes from the knowl-
edge that the hope deferred Is to De
realized He would go first to his own
house. He had there. he remembered,
some clothing which he would have
given to his slaves four years ago; but
since 1t was at least whole and decent,
he would be glad to wear now. More
fortunate than most OF his comrades,
he could still command little money
gold which had been saved from the
wreck of his fortune. Clothed In mis-
right mind, with the dreadful anxteties
of the desperate struggle removed, ne
would soon see Ariadne. The war was
over-he would claim her now. God!
how he loved her!
So he rode through the PROSTATE.
ruined city. There were soldiers IN
blue everywhere, but they did not
molest him. He turned down the
familiar streets which he had trav-
ersed SO often under other circum-
stances. He had visited his home ire
quentiy during the Petersburg Siege.
and had at last reinstated therein Aza
and Aunt Dessy. who had made their
way into Richmond after some mar
auders had burned the little house
near Spottsylvania-
Richmond Grafton had sent Jen back
to the old house. instrucunS him to
wait there until he received word from
him as to what he should do. He was
not surprised, therefore, to zee the
house open and smoke coming from the
chimney. 1t was early In the spring.
and the magnolias we're just beginning
to bloom over the gate He had never
approached that gate without thinking
of Ariadne standing there bidding him
good-by as he went to the war. He
never approached IL Without a hope OF
seeing her again. Notwithstanding his
assurance to the contrary, he half ex-
pected to see here there now. But she
was not there or course. she could not
unreasoning.
He rode through tine grounds up the
driveway and dismounted before the
porch. He was in a hurry; he wanted
to get away to seek his wife. in addi-
ton to his parole he had a pass In his
pocket from General Grant, which Ier-
mitted him to go North. Kirkwood,
who was now one Of Sheridan's briga-
diers. had secured it,for him. Manning,
now commanding division Of infantry,
had been one of those left behind to
guard Richmond. AS Grafton stood at
the foot of the porch two men came
around the house. One was old Aza, the
other JEFF.
"Gawd a'mightyr' cried Aza. "ef
'tain't Marse Phil"
"aowdy, Marse Phil!' cried JEFF. run
mig forward to take his horse.
Grafton greeted them heartily, turned
over the horse to JEFF. and told Aga
that he wanted breakfast and a bath
prepared In a hurry, for he was going
North by the first train.
I'm not giving you orders. Aza.'' he
said, smiling; "the war is over and YOU
are free"
"Marse Phil" protested the negro.
with great gravity. "we-all bling to
you-all ev' sense we was bornded. We's
gwine ter belong to you-all 'twell We
dies ] doan want no freedom. An
Aunt Desxy she think de same way
we'se gwine ter stay wild you des de
same as befo'."
JEFF. however. said nothing He. was
younger. and freedom had an allurng
steps. opened the door. and slipped into
the hall with n careless word. That
word was carried upstairs; II pierced
the fearful hollow Of a maiden's ear.
Grafton stood silent I'm the hall a mo-
ment. His merriment died away. He
looked soberly about him and then pre-
pared to ascend the stair to the cham
bers above. ....
Something caught his eve A hat-a
hat-lay on table in the hall.
A woman's cloak hung from the old
long TO Aunt Dessy. To whom then?
Perhaps some Northern officers wife
had come down to-a door was opened
above his head, he heard the patter of
bare feet along the hall. q white-robed !
ngurs turned the corner Of the. stair