The Washington times., 1913-08-12

I the others onl- suspected. that his
! end was at hand. When he recovered
| a little strength from the stimulants
which they gave him, he begged Ariadne
| to leave him alone with Philip. for a
! little space.
My boy" said the diving man feebly.
as the younger man knelt down at the
| side of the couch and took the hand Of
| his faithful old friend and mentor in
| his own. Il have lived my time. l am
might be allowed to live until you
| came home for"-his voice faltered-
for Ariadnes sake"
! DO not say that, SIR
1T is true l do not wear a soldiers
| jacket. like you, Philip. but l can face
| death as a soldier should, and l do not
! wish to live longer. Virginia could do
no less. but ! was too long under the
| old flag to be happy under the new"
DO not speak OF that now. sir" said
Grafton. scarce knowing what to reply.
Perhaps II will come out right in the
| end. but ! shall not live to see it. In
deed, there is little time left me and less
strength. | must tell YOU quickly. You
will take care of the child when 1 am
gomez"
ivy with al! my heart. sir! I shall be
philip, you are not engaged to any
of those Northern girls, are you?'
No, sir"
your letters OF late nave been tuIl
Of a young lady's name, Miss-ah-
Kirkwood-is she-are you"
There is nothing whatever between
| Miss kirkwood and myself" answered
| Grafton. although the admission wrung
! his heart
Good! Then I can say what l please.
| Philip. Ariadne has nothing. The place
| is very much run down; the last over
! seer seer ,rb. l had was was a Yankee; He robbed
7 ha y,I1
| d Jamison were my brokers in Rich
mond. They invested it in Northern
| securities. Hill & Jamison failed the
, other day. and this threatened war has
! ruined me find l can realize nothing
in the North. Vallewis is gone; 1 shall
not live to see it"
! Good heavens, sir :" cried Philip, lis
! there nothing left?'
Nothing. Even the slaves. except
Asa and Aunt Dessy."
! What will become Of Ariadne?"
Philip" said the old man impress
strength, you must marry her"
What. sir" exclaimed the young
Marry her.
/ why, she is only child.'
; l know that. Give her the protec-
| non OF your name; Wait to claim her
untl.-Well-until the war is over
But | will provide for her without
/ that; What l have shall be ners. She
shall share everything that is mine"
40 said the old Judge. That will
! not 90. know that child. She will
! be beholden to no one She Will 40
out and try to earn her own living
! rather than accept your charity"
But it will not be charity. | shall
| be delighted to do
Nothing can sweeten the bitter
! bread Of dependence, Philip. Ariadn,. is
only child in appearance, but sh,. has
well-stored mind. There isn't a more
! honorable soul dwelling in human
| body than hers. Her independence is
boundless IT does not appear what
she will be in person to Inexperienced
. eyes, perhaps, but her grandmother
/ VAS a beautiful woman, the most beau
| uful | ever saw said the old man. his
! mind reverting in his dying moment to
the wife Of his youth See her picture
there on the wall Ariadne is very
like her-very hke-I shut out the past
and see her when the child appears.
listen and hear her voice when
Ariadne speaks. Marry her. my boy.
She loves you. She is like my Ariadne.
and I. who know. tell YOU there are ca
pacitieS in the hearts Of the wOm-m Of
that race that promise JOY unspcakabl"
cannot go and leave here to fight her
battle alone. You will be in the field:
you may be killed Give her the protcc-
tion of your name. She is 50 Young, so
innocent and she loves you. Phil II
will b. her happiness and yours"
"Why mott" thought Philip as he lis
tened to the Judges plea. Il can re-
pay the devotion this old man has
spent on me. Does the child really
love me? can make her happy. then.
She need never know; it's all of be
tween US Kathleen KirkwOod will
change. And II she would. | cannot
stoop where ! have been 50 thrust
aside. Virginia. was willing and anX-
ious t. lay down my life for Virginia.
She has first claim uTOn me. But
Ariadnc she. too, has a claim. What |
have will bc hers. can give hrr my
name. am sure she will bear it
worthiIy"
You will: Philip? You cannot refuse
me that"
Say no more sir" said Grafton IF
Ariadne will do me the honor she shall
Be my wife"
MAJ it be now. Philip. before die
"Whencver you please. sir. If she
will, answered Grafton. promptly.
Having made up his mind there was no
oCCa sion for delay.
Just then DIR. Ellison rode up to the
door Ariadne. hercel'- jealous because
Of her exclusion from her grandfather's
+ room brought the doctor in He WAS
an old friend OF the judge. as his fathe,-
had been. With sympathetic glance
the doctor stepped to the old mans
! side and began his examination lie
asked a few questions Of grave import
and produced medicine-case which he
had brought with him. and began COM
pounding a certain prescription.
Ellison" began the judge. family. Il
am not afraid to die.
Il know you are not. answered the
doctor.
And ! ask you as a man and a gen
tleman. tell me, is not this the end?"
only God can determine that. Judge:
but so far as my poor skill allows me
to say''-he fingered over the words as
II he would fain delay their utterance-
II think you will scarce recover from
this attack"
"Ariadne clenched her hands and Bit
her lip. Her heart almost stopped its
beating, but she made no sound. Philip