The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-07-31
CHAPTER MI.
EETEIBUTION.

mind. Those VINO lONeu HeF niu kept
this from her, believing that it was
right for them so to do. Beatrice had
nut her question aside only an hour
before, and she had told her-what
had she told her save that she would
find il hard to forgive should she dis
cover that they were deceiring her.
And while she had been holding bitter
thoughts in her heart Of John Win
throp he was lying at deaths door
and she had not known.
He. her husbands enemy, the man
she loved-for she knew that she did
love him in that one swift moment
when truth struck deep in her soul.
Cowardly, perhaps. to kiss the hand
that wounded; undoubtedly disloyal to
her husbands memory; but she was
facing truth. and this was truth.
Frances crossed the room swiftly to
her sisters side, seeing this change
upon her face. She stopped tenderly
beside her, in her great love.
You should not have told her, Mrs.
Winthrop she exclaimed. an indig-
nant fash in her usually steady eyes.
''She did not know-you knew that We
kept it from her-and it is 4 severe
shock to her in her weakness. Why
should your son always work her
harm!"
But the sorrow in the gentle face
dsarmed her anger, and her voice was
soft like music as she added:
Forgive me, dear Mrs. Winthrop!
1 am so very sorry for you! But you
do not know-how can you know what
my sister has suffered through him.
Thee does not know my son." said
Mrs. Winthrop, simply. will thee
come to him, Mrs. Graham? He
asked for thee or l should not have
come. Remember that he is dying"
'Alecia crushed down the tumult in
her heart. She pushed gently aside
her sisters OBTAINING hands and arose.
Was it a wonder that even her huS-
bands enemy should call for her when
he lay dying Frances thought bitterly,
watching her as she moved slowly
but resolutely across the room, her
hand in Mrs. Winthrop's very warm
and close.
No words passed between them as
they crossed the corridors to John Win
throp's room. Some subtle magne-
tism made known to each the others
heart, without the need Of speech. At
his doorway they paused for an in
stant, for Alicia was still very weak,
to regain composure, and then quietly
entered the silent room.
The sick mans eyes were closed, but
they opened instantly, resting upon
,Alecia's face, and smile stirred the
white lips. He reached out his hand
falteringly, and she crossed over, TAX
ing it in hers. her smile answering his
in spite of her trembling lips and tear
full violet eyes. His love for her illum-
ined his face, wan and pallid though
it was, and broke down all barriers of
hatred or pride in the presence Of
death. rf4xzS7zI'h .ls- 49, -
MY dearest!w he said, family and
slowly. Forgive me. l could not die
without seeing you once more, even
though 1 know how you scorn me"'
: She bent pityingly above him.
There is no scorn in. all my heart,
she said, sweetly. do not think Of
that any more, Mr.. Winthrop"
The physicians had moved to the
windows out of hearing, and Mrs.
Winthrop would also have gone away,
but her son reached out his hand,
drawing her down upon the bed upon
the other side.
DO not go away he said, gently.
You know how love Alicia, mother.
Promise me that nothing shall come
between your friendship for her.
Thee knows" said Mrs. Winthrop,
softly, "how l love her, John"
NO one" said Alecia, still very
sweetly, could help loving your
mother, Mr.. Winthrop! Need prom
ise more than that?"
John Winthrop smiled. There was
some strange radiance in his face
lifted !o B hers: .~-
such friendship" he said, slowly,
pause between his words, us the
height of my desire. Alicia Graham,
living would never have told you OF
my love, knowing so well your scorn,
but, dying, may l not say what it has
been to ME to know that even unsuc-
cessfully have loved such woman?
You called me hard and unjust. If 1
was so it was through mistaken zeal,
and because then you had not come
into my life! Alicia Graham, every
-.a.da. al,ard of NV hoart WAS wa lApned