The Washington times., 1913-09-16
P0sTLUDE.
The Path ef Duty to the End.

rBEGAN this yeracious chronicle with
the picture Of Robert Lee. end l
close It in the same way. Twice be-
fsre death came to crown the end
Of that great life Grafton and his wife
saw the general. The day after the
meeting In Richmond. Grafton, in doubt,
like many q young Southern soldier, as
to his future course went to Lee. from
whom he had been won't to receive or
ders. and asked advice. Ariadne was
with her husband. and they found Lee
In his home In Richmond. They had
last seen him together by the grave Of
an old friend. AZ they stood before
him now 1t seemed as II they were con-
fronting the grave Of Virginia itself;
His face lighted AZ he saw them.
MY dear child" he said, takh
Ariadne's hands In both his own, "the
end Of the war has brought you to-
gether. never had q chance to thank
you for that magnificent ride in the viii
derness- There Is no reward can offer
you now. save to tell you what you al
ready know, that In your husband You
have one Of my bravest, most devoted,
most able soldiers. He stood high In
was much bravery. much devotion, much
ability. displayed there"
Il know what I have gained, General
Lee" exclaimed Ariadne, hereyes brim-
ming with tears. $40
And no one can know what happiness
has come to me, General, except for our
country" said Grafton, quickly.
You are well mated" said the gen.
eral. And now you know that we are
all poor, but won't you let me help you
little little On Sa.y your uf honsymoSn2 hone You see:
He took out a pitifully small roll Of 5ills,
greenbacks. There were perhaps $40 in
that roll: Il will divide with you he
said, smiling as II the absurdity Of his
poverty was the only thing that affected
him.
Grafton put out his hand.
mo, sir" he cried Il would take ii
in q moment II I needed 1t, but have
saved a little from the wreck of my
fortune. And friends have come to my
But the general shook his head He
could give, but he could not receive
that was one of the penalties Of great
ness and high station.
Il thank you. but I! shall do very WE'LL"
What do you propose to dor
Il have come to you for advice. sir. I
Your first duty" said Lee impress
had had to walt long enough for that
sentence. but she was happier for the
delay when 1t came. Your next is to
Virginia" continued the general
There was time when We reversed
our wives any the less Ariadne nod
ed. She understood. "Virginia needs
her sons now" Lee went on. More
than ever does she need them now. Al
most any man can be a good soldier
z"n: We must commence life over agaii,
and serve the State in peaceful ways
as We have dope with arms
You are right, SIR" said Grafton
I'VE were born here: well live here and
die here when the time comes"
intend to remain" said the general
Many Of my soldiers have been to see
me. Numbers of them had resolved
upon self-banishment In every instance
I have urged them to stay here and re-
pair the fortunes of their State"
A drum had been throbbing. a bugle
shrilling, down the street as they talk
ed, unheeding them. The music was 90
rear now that they could no longer dis
big eyes kindled at the martial sound.
What troops are those?" he ques-
toned. stepping involuntarily toward
the broad open window. whittier Grafton
ana Ariadne followed him. As they had
stood long ago. youth with its purpose,
age with its knowledge. the woman be-
tween. they stood then. staring out upon
q starry flag, the flag Of the United
States. Their flag now. they thought
sadly. with the blue St Andrews Cross
In mary a battle. furled forever-but
rot forgotten!
A Federal division was going by-cav-
airy. infantry. artillery. They marched
with free, splendid step. those bronzed
well-clad. well-armed veterans. Lee
looked at them with an eye fun of ap-
probation and with a shadow of envy
without bitterness, as he thought Of his
own worn and wasted men. The officer
riding at the head OF the column caught
sight of him, recognized him. Instinct
lively he raised his sword. Blades Were
barred In the morning air, arms crashed
to the front OF the marching men. 1t
was the last salute Of the men in blue
to the leader Of the men In gray Those
men in blue knew him: they had fought
him for four years. They could tell a
man and a soldier when they came face
to face with one
The general bowed his head, waited a
moment ana turned away. Without a
word he held out his hand to the two.
Philip shook one: Ariadne touched the
other with her lips. Lee &urned away, |
and they left him alone, walking up
and down the great room, thinking,
thinking.
Nearly six years after those two |
lovers still. stood In the chapel at Lex
ington. Va, and heard the words that |
the body Of one of the great
est Americans OF his day to the earth