The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-07-24

49,. - -
Nsa@szzz5z5Esaa e sSss=sssaa6ss
n q JOHN WINTHROP'S DEFEAT.
III eA 4 2Jopd
JEAN KATE LUDLUM.
4 Nopcl.

|
u.:Go. The music OF her voice too'
WAS crcZIa with pain. and the pas
! s;orate heart beat fercciy under the
silk and lace OF her gown.
II beg you to thank Mr.. winthrop
she said. haughtily, for his courteous
opinion OF me, Miss Gray, and INFORM
him that. perhaps, my husbands hcn-
or Is more spotless than his own. lie
could never have inSulted woman!
One would scarcely have believed ttls
of your upright guardian
Turning away, her face still angry,
she encountered Mrs. Winthrop.
"Thee is troubled, dear" said this
gentle woman in her soft, low voice,
laying one hand detaingly upon Ale
cia's arm, searching the pallid, scorn-
full face with kindly eyes. "Wilf thee
tell thy trouble to me that I may help
thee, if 1 may? I am old and thee is
young, and sorrow should not come
too near thee to thy hurt
Alicia shook her head, an icy smile
upon her lips She must get away to
her room and conquer this emotion,
lest she betray her heart.
There is nothing" she said, stead
lily. ''that should tell you, or any one,
dear Mrs. Winthrop. l have heard
cruel news of friend. that is all, but
one cannot depend too much upon
ones friends. If we honored them
less we would be less wounded when
they fall"'
She smiled again quite steadily and
turned away up the staircase, fortu-
nate in meeting no one on her way TO
her room For this thrust Of subtle
words was so sudden and keen that
she had no opportunity Of hiding how
much she was wounded. She would
conquer it presently alone in her room.
He should never guess how he had
wounded her.
And meanwhile Jessica Gray was
languidly strolling along the promen-
ade toward the pavilion with Mrs.
| Winthrop and her son, and was softly
murmuring, looking up to the tall
man beside her, that Pickering flame
in her eyes. what a charming woman
Mrs. Graham was, if only she were
not so harsh and unforgiving.
Il could scarcely believe my hear
ing" she said. softly, breathing sort
of fascination, even upon this quiet
man, when she told me tonight that,
in spite Of all men say or think, her
husbands honor is higher than yours.
Jack! What strangely vindictive
I family they must be, judging from
these two! 1 would not care to call
either Of them my friend!'
Under her curled lashes she saw
that her words struck home, from the
pallor upon his face and the sudden
convulsive setting of his lips. The
fame in her eyes was vivid, and he
should have been warned, but who
pauses to examine the arrow that
strikes?
'Thee must have misunderstood
Mrs. Graham, Jessica." said Mrs.
Winthrop, mildly. 'Thee is often
time too impulsive in thy judgments.
Mrs. Graham is my friend. Remem-
Der that in thy speaking Of her, my
dear. She knows that John is thor
oughly upright, and she is not one to
condemn any act Of justice. scarce
" think that she could have said what
thee repeats"
"Well, 1 am sure it Is nothing to
oora1occ1v Shn
was satisfied with her shaft Of subtle
words. She knew perfectly well that
she had wounded her guardian. She
knew, too, that he loved this other
woman.
And presently John Winthrop left
them and no one saw him again that
night. And Alicia betrayed no sign
of her struggle on the following day,
even joining a little sailing party in
the Banjo, because John Winthrop
was going. and she would have him
understand that his presence was
nothing to lfer.
Il am almost afraid to venture"
said George Priestly. as they stood on
the pier watching him making prepar-
ations for their comfort THAT thin
cloud over there in the northwest
looks like squall. 1t isn't specially
nice thing. ladies, to be caught on the
bay at such a time"
"Oh, but it simply couldn't storm,
YOU know" said Althea Dunraven,
persuasively, because 1 wish to go
so much, Mr.. Priestly."
VERY WE'LL" he said, smiling. Il
will not so beyond quiet water, any
way, Miss Dunraven."
.Dancer gives spice to pleasure, Mr..