The Washington times., 1913-08-26
BOOK THREE.
Kathleen.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Double Trust.


with death began; two women,
their differences in abeyance,
fighting for the life of Philip
Grafton. A truce, definite and clearly
understood, although its provisions were
not committed to writing or made tn
subject of protocols, subsisted between
them kathleen's strong common sense
brought about a modus vivendi.
AT first Ariadne had peremptorily re-
fused to leave the bedside of her hus-
band From a perfectly natural feeling
of delicacy, Kathleen, who had been
putting strong constraint upon herself.
had hesitated to urge her to take any
rest even. But such persistent watch
as the wife sought to keep was impos-
sible to nature. Ariadne would have
become i'll if something had not broken
the deadlock The initiative came from
the older woman.
I understand how you feel, madam, "
she said, after some hard thinking, but
you must see that the watch over
your she could not frame that de
Gliding word-"over Mr.. Grafton must be
of any sort, any change for better or
for worse, II he should regain conscious
ness during my hours of duty, l will
summon you instantly"
You will surely do SOP asked Ari-
adne, searching the other Woman's face
with wistful glance.
i give you my word of honor"
There is no need, / believe you. II
must be as you say. will go and get
rest, II l can"
You may depend upon me, madam. l
shall keep faith
You are not keeping faith with your
own husband" murmured the tired Ari-
adne, quite unconscious for the moment
that she was vOiCing her thoughts.
How dare you" cried Kathleen, GRIM
son with anger.
I beg your pardon" said the gentle
Southern woman, deprecatingly. Il did
not mean TO speak aloud, but what
said is true and-he, too, was faithless-
almost" She turned toward her hGs-
band as If to comprehend him in the
compact of broken faith.
IF you only knew I-how much-we
cared, before" began Kathleen, i'm
pulsively.
DO you think" said Ariadne. that L
do not know what love is-and unre-
Quilted love, at that? Yet"
And do you think" cried Kathleen.
that l am not struggling against it
now? l wish with all my heart that !
had never seen him again. l am mar
ried to Colonel Manning. He is kind
ness and devotion TO me itself. He is
fighting the battles Of his country now.
II was he and my brother who sent"
she forced the word-this time-'your
husband to me. They trusted me. For
Gods sake don't stand and look at me
like q white-faced conscienceI You
know how you loved him. Try to Un-
derstand-me."
The slender, youthful Ariadne. so
straight, so dauntless, was the stronger
and older after all. The burden of the
other woman's wayward passion was
upon her. She put out her hand and
drew Kathleen toward her.
You poor WoE.an," she said. compre-
hending and pitying another's sorrow
through her own suffering-the true
precious jewel Of adversity-"I do un-
derstan6. May God help you and turn
your heart to your own husband"
And may he turn Philips heart"
Arfadne WINGED as Kathleen said this.
but the Northern woman simply could
not finish the sentence. May God help
me-" she murmured in echo of the
others plea.
He Will He wiIl"'
ct think you are an angel" said
Kathleen. bowling her head on her
younger compaCion's shoulder.
Matters were on a practicable foot
ing thereafter. BY tacit consent they
rCfrsined from discussing their feel
tngs toward Philip Their conversation
was ct FIST cOntfruel entirely TO his
condition and the steps to De taken to
save his life and promote his recovery.
They met only at the table, for while
one Eas awake the other slept, but two
women could not be thrown together
the Hay these two women were without
entering into conversation upon other
subjects, especially as the project of
their common solicitude grew better,