The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-06-04
CHAPTER XIX.
(Continued.)

"Alr. BenSonhurst." she said, sweet
" and low. and he began to grow
ashamed Of his anger. you will for
give me II you consider me presuming;
Z mean 1t most kindly. consider you
my friend-you were my husbands
friend. I know why you are angry.
No one told me, but know. Perhaps,
too. know Beatrice better than you
do with your great love for her; for l
know that you love her. also know
that she loves you. You smile unbe-
lievingly. Believe me: wait, and You
WIN learn for yourself. My sister Is
proud to q degree that few women at
tain, but she is equally loyal. once CIV
ting her love. Winning her, you win
her forever and utterly. Is not that
worth waiting forw
Her swift. brilliant smile was upon
her face. and his own bps parted IN
smiling. looking down upon the soft.
light fingers upon his arm.
"I WIN wait" he said. gently. "You
are like q good angel to one In trou-
ble, MrA Graham. I do love Beatrice.
and I thought I might win her. until
there came q whisper that she was no
longer to be won. and that clearing
away. her own reply to-day. But now
I shall hope and wait and II time
proves that she does not love me-
p. you need not fear" said Alecia
softly, fIling the pause Of his voice.
Her eyes lifted to his were perfectly
steady; and rs they passed up the
staircase together. parting at her
door, q new faith In woman entered
the soul Of Gregory Bensonhurst and
stung his easy-going spirit into Q
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
q the gtittering stretch Of water bear
ing the ships right royalty upon their
way, and the smile was gone from
Aer face. and only sadness rested
there, the grieved look in the violet
eyes betraying q troubled heart.
"Chiding my sister for her pride that
wounds q true heart, am I free from
the same? Was I unwemanly in my
Aarshness to him"
But going down to dinner. dressed
On q tender.hued, elinging gown. with
her delicate laces and perfumes, no
one would guess Of; the under.current
OF bitterness or the sadness behind the
brave eyes. Her wit and laughter
made the dinner one to enjoy and
remember as one Of the pleasant
things Of the day.
Her seat ut the table was between
Mrs. Winthrop and Jessica Gray. and
she looked like a rose contrasted with
the quiet elder woman. and the Ian
guild, pale beauty; and those who
knew her during that other summer.
whispered Of how much more beauti-
ful 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 II 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 Aleeia gave him
courage to request her to walk with
aim upon the sands.
Il was q simple request and utterly
1nsignincant, but Jessica Gray. catch
fng the words, moved gracefully and
languidly across the room toward
them from the window and murmured
In her liquid yoice-so strangely fas-
cinating-that Mrs. Winthrop was so
: anxious for Mrs. Graham to 60 with
her to the pavilion for a little while
before she should retire to her room.
aItessgh she. Jessica. had taken 1t
upon herself to request the favor.
knowing what friends they were.
So Il was that AlecIa smiled pleas
autiy up at John Winthrop. and said
she must 20 to his mother, knowing
that he would excuse her upon that
plea.
Mamma Winthrop has gone to her
room for q moment" said Jessica.
calmly, but she win return directly.
She has such an intense admiration
for you, Mrs. Graham. that ! often
think how really wicked 1t 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
ron swore to a lie when they were
trying to prove the extent OF your
husbands failure. Of course he cannot
forget It. You see. you came back
with plenty Of money. anu not until
after your husband died. But you
mustn't feel cross with me. dear Mrs
Graham, for I surely could not be
lieve such thing"
Never in her life had such fire blazeG
In Alecia Graham's eyes as at that
moment. facing Jessica Gray upon the
hotel piazza. The sweet violet color
deepened to intense purple; her fact
was touched with the snow Of passion
unconsciously the slim hand holding
the ivory fan snapped the frail sticks
under the grasp Of the slender fingers
aghting back the blow to her honor and
pride. The music Of her voice. too
was frozen with pain. and the pas
sionate heart beat fiercely under thu
silk and lace Of her gown.
~ beg you to thank Mr.. Winthrop
1~tA nou~h&tIp stfoy hia roy,rfoOuy