The Washington times., 1913-09-15

is absolutely Impossible, re-
!" turned ne general general. lin, IN no way way
you would 90 north. kathleen is
in Fredericksburg, but she is going back
to Pennsylvania. She will be glad TO
take you with her. You can't stay
here"
Poor Ariadne had been so buffeted by
fortune that she was incapable of much
resistance now. She demurred, but
Manning was persistent. --e said.
which was perfectly true, that were
conditions different she would have done
the same; and he promised, if ii were
possible to get tidings to Philip, to let
him know Ariadne had to comply for
the present, for she was too weak and
too helpless to be left alone. Back to
Fredericksburg she went
The day after Spottsylvania General
Manning. who had told the story to
General Grant and received his permis-
sion, sent an officer to the Confederate
lines under flag of truce. He himself
followed Sheridan to meet Stuart, SO he
had to trust his message to one of Cen
eral Meade's staff officers. The Con-
federate officer who met the nag re-
ceiyed a note from General Grant to
General Lee. When Lee opened II he
found a brief letter from his great an
tagonist asking if no military exi-
gency prevented, that he would deliver
the inclosed note to Capt. Philip Grail
ton, if such an officer were still on his
stan If so, and an answer WAS TO be
made, the officer who brought the note
under the nag would be glad TO take
il back II was a most unusual re-
quest. Lee, however, surmised what
the tenor of the note would be. He
called Grafton and placed it in his
nanus. Grafton opened il, and, recog-
nl:!ng MannIng.s handwriting, read:
LDea. Old FeiIOw-I our wIIe As wound
81, DuL not seriously, and is in our
lines. | have prevailed upon her to go
Dack to pennsylvania with Kathleen.
lou will bP glad 10 know that ,Kath-
/. n is the most devoted of wives. and
has an admiration for your wife second
only TO that she feels for our little
daughter, her namesake. She will lake
good care of her until, well-until We
c&n meet under happier circumstances.
Your wife refuses to determine any
thing until she hears from you. If she
can get word that you are safe and
" ell her own recovery will be certain.
You will be sorry to learn that Burt
KirkVsood was seriously stabbed at the
Bloody Angle. Kathleen and your wife
are taking him back / would have
brought this letter in person. but we of
the cavalry must always be moving
May God speed the day when we can
meet face to face in peace Your old
friend and classmate, who never forgets
You.
GEORGE MANNING"
Grafton laid the letter before Lee
This is not necessary, captain" said
the general, with his usual considera-
ton.
But / ask you to read it, sir" said
Grafton: you know the story and I
wish you TO know this chapter as
we'll"
General Lee handed the letter back
after he had read it and turned to his
aide:
"A manly officer he said; II am
glad Mrs. Grafton has fallen in such
hands,
What shall / say to her. sir?'
Tel! her to stay there. Write your
reply. but be brief about it," was the
kind answer.
Thank God, Manning" wrote Graf
ton, that my wife is safe Tell her
that | am still unharmed That my
honor was saved through her magnifi-
cent heroism. She will understand.
Tell her to stay with you and your
wife, and may God bless you both for
ever She must wait until the war IS
oyer. or I can arrange 10 have her
brought back 10 the South. / can
graduate you on the little girl and on
the love OF one of the finest women in
the world. You know how happy I