The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-19

-. seQSS
az@sszzz5za8assz
Y M + JOHN WINTHR0P'S DEFEAT:
NEz- '-ESN 4 Nopd
ICopYn1eHr, ROBERT BoNSER's Sons, 1881
4 Nop,l.
JEAN KATE LUDLUM:

but, her eyes being keen with love-
she also recognized that he was un-
usually excited and pale.
The man whom this woman was
watching saw her as quickly as she
saw him. He never failed to single
out this one woman in any crowd
where she might be: He lifted his nat
as they came nearer, and he perceived
that she saw him. There was not
trace of color in his face, and his
black eyes burned like Goals from its
pallor, restlessly, as though he were
haunted by some dread.
Alicia stepped little back from her
friends. She was at one side Of the
gang plank where the steamer stopped,
and waited for her husband to come
to her. The color came and went in
her face; her eyes, too, were burning
with nervous excitement.
Mr.. Graham sprang lightly on the
pier, ere the plank was thrown out,
and again lifting his hat courteously
to her and her companions, greeting
them with a word or smile, here and
there, turned with her up the pier to-
ward the hotel.
"Was it warm in the city, Harold"
every warm, Alecia-sufocating. 1t
is like champagne to breathe this air
from the ocean. Let us go down to
the beach, if you are not fatigued."
II am not fatigued, Harold. Shall
we 60 to the pavilion or along the
sands"
"Oh, along the sands" he said, rest
lessly, keeping his eyes resolutely from
meeting hers. "a long distance on
the sands, Alicia, where I can have
you to myself. Then-ah!-" ne broke
off suddenly. How can I tell you,
Alecia?"
She was startled, but commanded
her face and voice. Was it not her
duty to help him and not hinder when
need should-come? Still idly swinging
the sea-weed, remembering that many
eyes were upon them, she paused to
rearrange fold of her dress, and in
that one instant, conquered the trem-
bling Of her lips.
IF there is anything that you should
tell me, Harold" she said, steadily and
sweetly, you need not fear. Nothing
can hurt me-mucl-while have
you"
That wonderful smile of hers was
on her face as she lifted it to mis- IS
they passed along the covered walk,
around the hotel piazza and out on the
other side toward the beach. There
were groups here and there on the
piazza, reading or talking OF idly
watching the light of the fading sun
set upon the water and the glimmer
of sails in the distance against the
heavens. These the two must greet
OF exchange with them light words of
compliment.
There nave so many ships passed
to-day" she said, mechanically, not to
allow silence to fall upon them. $50
many ships, Harold-but they all 60
by; they never stop or stay"
"Yes," he said bitterly, commanding
his voice by powerful effort. Every
thing passes, Alicia, like the ships"
Not everything, Harold. Love nev-
er drifts by when once it finds haroor.
The winds and the currents cannot
move it! It's anchor sinks so deeply
in the heart, Harold, that only q dead
heart yields it up"
He turned upon her in sudden fierce
ness. His burning eyes famed into
hers, but she would not falter.
You have never been tried" he
said, hoarsely.
TRY me-" she said.
But he made no answer, and she
could not speak further with the
growing fear in her heart; and so in
silence they descended the steps of
the pavilion and struck out upon the
sands, where the surf hissed and
seethed with the lifting and falling Of
the breakers.
The sand was heavy, and they
moved slowly along, she with the
dangling sea-weed, he with his
clenched hands, the soft lights upon
them, the ocean and the ships just
beyond. They turned the bend in the
beach and were alone, so far as curl
Gus eyes could see or curious ears
catch any word not meant for them.
Then Harold Graham stopped and
faced his wife. He placed some mar
velous restraint upon himself-for he
was a passionate man-and when he
disengaged the seaweed from her fin
gers, letting it fall unheeded upon the
sands, his touch was very gentle. Both
her hands he held in his, and drawing
her to him so, he laid them upon his
breast, his eyes upon hers.
"Aleciaw
"Haroldr'
my darling, you believe that l love
you?"
Perfectly"
You told me back there to try you
I shall try you infinitely"
Terror was growing upon her. Her
startled eyes would not retain the
brave spirit she sought to hold. Her
lips would tremble, do as she would,
as she answered, softly:
Yes, Harold"
"Alecia!' he cried, letting her hands
fall and turning despairingly from her
toward the one or two sails down on
the horizon. Alicia! You cannot
dream what it is! How can I tell
you?"
He was frightening her more than
lie realized But she crowded down