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

and unjust to u.s. Mrs. Winthrop to
me is like a sweet poem in the great
striving battle-hymn Of life, and L go
to her when nothing in all the world
else can sootne me. feel always ike
sitting at her feet when she talks.
Her soft language is the height and
depth and breadth of tender feeling.
She affects me like moonlit ocean,
or as though some one who loved me
had said: BE still""
Beatrice's face softcned in spite of
her anger.
We'll, then, how do you like this
JesSica Gray, your John Winthrop's
ward, Alecia? Surely, you do not
catalogue her soothing poem! I set
her down as q cat, leopard, a snake
all of them at different times! Look
at those opal eyes Of hers. that are
steel, that are stones, that are living
fire when she Wills
Alicia brushed very slowly and dc;
liberately the masses Of shining hair
about her shoulders before she replied.
Then she laughed as she said:
80 far the ciaws Of your cat ere
smothered in velvet to me, Bee
Beatrice shrugged her shoulders suS-
gestively, and lifted her arched brows.
We'll" she said, Grossly, your cat
pray don't class her as mine-is in
love with your John Winthrop with
her soft purrins and velvet claws,
Alicia Graham."'
An indescribable expression touched
Alecia's face, but she pulled the show
ering golden hair recklessly about
her. so that her sister could not see.
Again she laughed, strange laugh, a
sudden, unaccountable pang at her
heart, as though she We're losing some
friend who had been dear and might
have been more. Then she frowned,
meeting her reflection in the mirror,
and bit her lip. 4 slow color was
burning in each cheek. She was in.
tensely angry with herself. Would
she allow those words, uttered that.
bands enemy, to so move her?
Rather remarkable, Bee" she said,
lightly, that the woman whom you
dislike and call leopard should so un-:
burden herself to you! The circum-
stances must have been extremely in
teresting. Pray, let me hear them"
Beatrice's answering laugh was full
Of scorn and bitterness. She crossed
the room, and, taking Alecia by both
arms, turned her toward the light,
her eyes keenly set upon her face.
"Alecia," she said, very slowly and
sternly, "you may call me absurd
again if you like. Why should l mind
that? But I wish you to answer me
one question. and fairly. 1t may not
seem much to you; to me it would be
the uttermost depths of bitterness!
You are kind to every one. even
though you scorn them. You are kind
even 10 John Winthrop. Alecia.'
the very earnestIess OF Eer voice
deepened that strange color in Ale
cia's face, though her eyes were level
meeting her sisters. Alicia Graham,
if ever you should be kind to that
man as you might be kind, should ne
ask you-you know what l mean-l
should so scorn you that never, never
could 1 call you my sister again. Re
member what he was to your HUSBAND
and scorn him as any loyal woman
should"'
Alecla hated herself for the mad
throbbing of her heart. She despised
herself for that tell-tale blood in her
face. She would willingly have
crushed out every thought Of John
Winthrop If so she might trample un-
der foot the memory OF his eyes and
voice and passionate words, and that
tall, commanding figure standing be-
side her as she wounded him with
her scorn!
You are like the beautiful Queen Of
the East, Bee" she said, laughing,
for you talk in riddles. One minute
you tell me that Miss Gray loves Mr..
Winthrop. and the next you warn me
against some absurd catastrophe OF
the same sort! Ny dear little sister is
over-sensitive in her loyalty, fear"
She was arguing down her heart.
Did she not know it? Did Beatrice
not also know it? She released Ale
cia's arms, and turned away with
sigh.
Il never understood you, Alecia,'
she said. quietly. pausing at the door;
Il understand you less now than
ever"
Then she passed down the stairs
and out upon the promenade, toward
tho heach wishing to fight this fear