The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-07-24
CHAPTER XIX.
(Continued.l
tCoPYEIGHT, Ro3EG- &c

give RE II you consider me presuming;
l mean it most kindly. consider you
my friend-you were my husbands
friend. l know why you are angry.
No one told me, but I know. Perhaps,
too. l know Beatrice better than you
do with your great love for her; for 1
know that you love her. also know
that she loves you. You smile unbe-
lievingly. Believe me; wait, and you
will learn for yourself. My sister is
proud to a degree that few women at
tain. but she is equally loyal, once Civ
ing her love. Winning her, you win
her forever and utterly. Is not that
worth waiting for:"
Her swift, brilliant smile was upon
her face, and his own lips parted n
smiling. looking down upon the soft,
light fingers upon his arm.
Il will wait" he said, gently. You
are like a good angel to one in trou-
BILE. Mrs. Graham. 1 do love Beatrice,
and | thought l might win her, until
there came whisper that she was no
longer 10 be Won. and that clearing
away. her own reply to-day. But now
l shall hope and wait, and il time
proves that she does not love me-
You need not fear" said Alicia
softly. filling the pause Of his voice.
Her eyes lifted to his We're perfectly
steady: and as they passed UP the
staircase together, parting at her
door. new faith in woman entered
the soul of Gregory Bensonhurst and
stung his casy-going spirit into i
more acute life and ambition.
Mrs. Graham returned to her room,
seated herself again at the open Win
dow. and looked across the sand-hillS
to the glittering stretch Of water bear
ing the ships right royalty upon their
way, and the smile was gone from
her face, and only sadness rested
there. the grieved look in the violet
eyes betraying a troubled heart.
"Chiding my sister for her pride that
wounds a true heart, am l free from
the same? Was l unwomanly in my
harshneSs to him.
But going down to dinner. dressed
In q tendcr-hued, clinging gown, with
her delicate laces and perfumes, no
one would guess of the under current
OF bitterness OF the sadness behind the
brave eyes. Her wit and laughter
made the dinner one to enjoy and
remember :. one Of the pleasant
things Of the day.
Her seat at the table was between
Mrs. Winthrop and Jessica Gray, and
she looked like rose contrasted with
the quiet elder woman, and the lam
guild. pale beauty; and those who
knew her during that other summer,
whispered of how much more beauti-
full and charming she had grown dur
ing the past three years Of sorrow and
trial.
Perhaps the knowledge Of this was
strong upon John Winthrop. facing
her at the table. He left the hotel
that day on which he had made
known to this woman his proud heart,
going to the city upon business for
Palmer Earle, and it was only this day
that he returned, summoned by his
mother in her anxiety for his good.
Perhaps, too, this subtle change in
the proud face of Alicia gave him
courage to request her to walk with
him upon the sands.
$ 1t was q simple request and utterly
insignificant, but Jessica Gray, catch
ing the words, moved gracefully and
languidly across the room toward
them from the window and murmured
in her liquid voice-so strangely fas-
cinating-that Mrs. Winthrop was so
anxious for Mrs. Graham to go with
her to the pavilion for little while
before she should retire to her room,
although she, Jessica, had taken 1t
upon herself to request the favor,
knowing what friends they We're.
SO it was that Alicia smiled pleas
.artly up at John Winthrop. and said
she must go to his mother, knowing
that he would excuse her upon that
plea.
Mamma Winthrop has gone to her
room for moment" said Jessica,
calmly, "but she will return directly.
She has such an intense admiration
for you, Mrs. Graham, that l often
think how really wicked it is for her
son to be so hard upon you. But.
then, Jack is so honorable and strict
himself that he could not think lightly
OF wrong in others, and believing that
YOU swore to lie when they We're
trying to prove the extent of your
husbands failure, Of course he cannot
forget it. You see. you came back