The Washington times., 1913-08-15
CHAPTER vi.
$50 Runs the World way"

The kind friends had all gone
and left them. Some OF the won.-
en- had volunteered to stay with
Ariadne, but Philip, whose instinct vas
not at fault had gently declined their
proffered services. For himself he would
have preferred not to be left alone with
his wife, but he knew weH-wh -her
pleasure would be, and he resolutely set
himself TO subordinate MS own desires,
50 far as he could, to hers.
The lawyer had important documents
= read, important messages TO commu-
nicate Ariadne must hear them. But
Philip chose to tell his wife the sad
news in his own way, and after brief
conference with the attorney he sought
her.
Not there" she said, as he turned
toward the library. 1t was in there
that grandfather died. We will 60 III
here"-she pointed toward the drawing
room-"it was there you told me that
you loved me. l must put aside the
past"-her lips trembled-"I must live
for you now. You are a soldier and |
am a soldiers wife. Grandfather would
have il so.
Hand in hand they stepped into the
drawing room. On one of the walls
hung d portrait of the judge taken in
his prime standing, as was the fashion,
with one hand thrust in the breast Of
his blue swallOw-tail coat the other up
lifted in the characteristic gesture he
was wont to employ in the Senate when
men hung on the hOneyed eloquence OF
those lips now so perfectly still in the
churchyard fronting the river-the river
that ever flowed on, washing the shores
o. Vallewis, although the last of the
great race which had made il a home
was gone and strangers would hence
forth be its lords paramount
once in the rCoE. Grafton stopped un-
certainly. Arladne sat down in the
great chair which had been brought
from England twenty Years before, from
which the lords Of the manor had dis
pensed justice in colonial days, and her
husband knelt by her side. How little
she looked in that great rude throne:
yet There was sort Of majesty and
dignity about the child, a beauty sp!r-
itueIle, unearthIy. in the pale face ris-
ing above the black robe that moved
him strangely. He smiled at her and.
quick to note his every mood. she ques-
toned:
Why do you smile at me, phil"
You are so young h- said tenderly.
lifting her little hand and press ng d
kiss upon II, so young 10 be a wife,
But that is d fault every day will
mend" she replied aHXipusly. The war
will soon be over. | shall try 50 hard
v hile / wait for You 10 nit myself for
YOU when you come tO-tO take me"
You are fit now. l,ttIe sweetheart. TO
be the wife Of a better man than l."
There is no better. and ! am not
but II makes mc very happy 10 hear
YOU say SO II YOU will allow me ! viii
stay here al NalLrWis where every bod
loves me. with old Aza and dear Aunt
Dessy to tako care Of me. with all my
people You shall tell me what To dr.
what books 20 read. how To order my
lie, and / viii Try 50 hard. ! am grow
ing very fast Grandfather used to sav
that ! would b. q tall girl some time.
and ! shall live outdoors and grow
s'rOnP and well If | could only be
beautiful like my mother
My dear. NV dear cried Grafton.
choking back the tears. YOU d" not
know how unworthy Of EOu l am -
But You love me. don't you? You
said YOU d q and"
81 do. / do' protested the man. and
for the m"nrnt he did and the words
rang tue.
Ariadn- flushed softly. not dceDl-. the
drlica'e 'aiea"s- % her cheek took upon
!tself the hue Of he Tild rose Sine
would t' ii !aint. uomau as ~ue WAS
4 d. unity shHd-ard q beautiful one
some DAY Master Philip might lind thai
oUt-tOo late.
IF YOU love ne. said Ariadne softly.
81 do not mind anyIh ng else"
DO you mean that"
'Of course | mean IT,"
'Then-tha' makes it-easier to"
at makes what easier?' asked the
gir' as Grafton hes tated
What ! have to tell YOU" he CON
trued, reluctantly. yet impelled b.
stern necessity.
What is it you have TO tell me? You
you love me stilI?'' she aSked unN-
iously, bending closer 10 him. her soul
in her eyes.
There was something in the situation
that did not quite satisfy Ariadne. q
doubt. an incertitude, that she fought