The Washington times., 1913-08-19
RIAL TO RY
By CYRUS TOWNSEND I

to come yet. But you didn't seek me
to talk politics or principles, l am sure.
You came from Richmond"
Yes. sir"
For what purpose?''
Il wish you TO let me seek my hus-
band"
Your husband? Is he prisoner
II do not know" faltered poor
Ariadne, her lips trembling.
She would not cry. she would not
break down before this man. the enemy
of her country. she said. but neverthe-
less, two great tears swan in her eyes
and slowly trickled down her cheeks.
Explain yourself, pray" said Lin
coin
He was a-sergeant in the Ninth
Virginia Infantry, sir. in General
Armisteads brigade of General Pickett's
division"
'Ah" replied the President, compre-
hending all
And he charged up that hill with the
rest and-and-never came back"
Lincoln shook his head softly
There were many who did not come
back"
He wasn't killed." You haven't
heard
Il have heard nothing of him. my
dear child" answered the President,
laying his hand gently on her shoulder.
Oh she said. slasping her breast
i thought"
And some of those" continued the
President who did not come back are
in our hands today. 1t may be
1T must be that he is alive, sir He
was to come to claim me after the
war-when we had won-I was only a
child WIN we were married-Oh! my
God: my God! cannot give him up
Sit down, my dear lady," said the
President, kindly, as If he had been
her father; tell me all aobut it
when my grandfather died" began
Artadne, something in this strange man
compelling her obedience, "Philip-Mr
GraftonISergeant Grafton. you know
he married me. ! was only sixteen then.
and Nallewis. our place. was gone and
! had nothing. And Philip married me
and left me in Richmond to wait for
him until the war was over"
how old are you now'?''
Eighteen. sir. And ! have tried SO
hard TO be worthy of him. have work
ed TO- our soldiers. ! have studied
nave written him every day. and after
every battle he has always sent me
word. The news came. l heard from
Gettysburg. One of the men OF fIis
regiment was sent to Richmond. He
told me that he saw Philip last on the
top OF the hill. He did not-he could
not tell whether he was-alive-or not,
and ! have come to you"
What do YOU wish me to do?"'
ITO find him
And II he is wounded?"
TO let me 80 to him II he is q pris-
oner, to let me shat- his prison.
Ny child. said the President Il will
find him. IL he is a prisoner, you can
not see him. Of course. II he is wound
ed. you may go to him IL possible"
When may | have the news sir?"
Tomorrow. Where are you to be
found?''
AT Judge Crossman's"
SO he is giving aid and comfort to
the enemy. is he?" said the President,
smiling.
Ariande knew not what to say
well, / can forgive him since / am
doing practically the same thing myself
| hope to tell you tomorrow that your
husband is well And now | bid you
gOod-by."
Sir" said Ariande. rising and taking
the Presidents great hand in both her
own, / we have hated you in
the South But one woman will ever
remember and pray God to have you in
His keeping"
Before he could prevent she had bent
and kissed his hand.
AS for me" said the President quiet
ly, Il love the South as love the North
and the East and the West | would
fain have it back in the old Union. un-
der the old flag
He stretched out his hand as he spoke.
forgetful for the moment OF the woman
who stood before him. Ariadne knew
her Bible thoroughly. As she stared up
into that plain face. transfigured. glorI-
fed. the words OF an ancient and un-
fulfilled appeal that was as much proph-
ecy as prayer ran through her mind:
Oh Jerusalem. thou that killest the
prophets and stonest them which are
sent urto thee, how often would | have
gathered thy children together even as
a hen gathereth her chickens under her
wings and ye you'd not!'
Continuation of This story VIII
Re Found In Tomorrow
Issue af The Times