The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-05-29

D0Qy ought 10 lower ms prlGe.
Alicia laughed, more because Of
their protestations than from ,ightneSs
of heart.
You must not think of our going il
this light" she said, presently, un-
/ able TO speak At first, because of
Beatrice's lavish caresses. For Beatrice
considered Alicia the ideal of woman
! hood. Harold has lost everything
through those fraudulent mining in
vestments and the rest. and it is i'm
possible for him to retrieve himself in
this State, in consequence of his heavy
debts. We are going West because
there the field seems good. California
is charming, especially Southern Cali
fornia, and we will doubtless meet
with pleasant people. I have long de-
sired to travel through that State and
Colorado and Oregon-those brave pio-
neer sister States Of ours, you know:
and here the opportunity opens!
"Of course, we will be that distance
from home; but If all goes we'll with
us, we shall return as soon as there
is chance of paying these dreadful
debts. You can, too, come to US next
summer instead Of going to Europe,
If you wish, and it isn't half SO bad as
going to Bees Sandwich Islands or
Siberia! Now that the worst trouble
is over, Harold needs rest and change.
The poor. dear fellow is terribly
worm
"Yes," said Beatrice, tearfully, pat
ting her sisters hand, poor dear!
just hate John Winthrop afresh every:
time"
your hatred doesn't move him,
Bee" said Marion, in her cool way;
''for he hasn't asked for your love. 1
would not allow him to trouble my
conscience to such an extent. 1t is bad
enough for Alicia and Harold to so
away without giving grief or thought
to stranger
He'd call them crocidile's tears,
anyway, Bee, if he knew it." added
Cora.
Nevertheless" said Alicia, quietly,
rumpling up the brown curls upon
Beatrice's head as the girl sat upon
the rug at her feet-"in spite Of all
this, Bee, dear, I am certain that Mr..
Winthrop simply carries out his stand
ard OF honor toward his client. He is
hard in doing SO, but he is an honor
able man."
"And setting aside honorable men
and crocodile tears and John Win
,throp," added Frances, ,softly-Frances
was sitting idly at q window looking
down upon the avenue-"it still re-
mains self-evident fact that dear
little Alicia and her husband are 60
ing to leave us next week. There IS
no use in arguing with them, know,
mamma, and Marion and Cora and
Bee-because when once the minds Of
those Grahams are made up 70 do q
thing, that thing they will do if it is
IN human power. You couldn't turn
them any more than you could turn
the crocodile's tears to pearls"
"But we can never get you ready to
go in one week, 'Lecia" cried, Bea-
trice. "You can't go so soon. shall
tell Harold that 1t is impossible"
"And the only benefit that you will
derive from that information will be
to learn that Harold takes Alecia's
word against the world, Mistress Beer
sale said Cora: :rsFssi
ID, That Cora and n Il '
IF At loggerheads will live and diew
There's no place like home"
said Beatrice. wickedly. Maybe 1
know just as much as you do about
Alicia and Harold. Cora Field!
Maybe you do" retorted Cora, with
significant shrug Of her shoulders.
But as Harold is coming. maybe it
would be as we'll for your to keep that
and your doggerel-to yourself, Bee"
"And this is no way to discuss Ale
lcia's going" said Mrs. Field, gravely,
endeavorinS to be heard above this Ba-
bel CT tongues. You girls are as bad
as little children with your disagree
ments; it is enough to drive one dis.
tracted to listen to you. One cannot
talk connectedly or think with any
common sense, among you. Come to
my assistance, Harold, ard bring order
out Of this chaos" she added, as
Graham paused in the doorway, his
eyes seeking his wife. as they always
sought her during this weary time
What shall do to govern these chat
terboxes when you and Alicia are
gone-if you must 60"
You are kind" he said. still with
that strange. feverish restlessness of
voice and manner, crossing to his wife