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

CdAIIEh VII.
(Continued.)
So the days went by, some Of them
dragging heavily, some all too swift,
Through the remainder of the summer;
and it was autumn weather before the
affairs of Harold Graham were set
tied enough to admit Of his leaving the
city to open new life in new field.
After Alecia's vain attempt to bring
about some adjustment of the affair,
the case was tried. and she was closely
examined to discover, If possible,
whether or not there remained some
means whereby the creditor. Palmer
Earle, should receive his due. For
four weary hours she was held in the
witness stand. For four interminable
hours these men argued to prove that
Harold Graham had not given up all
that he could and should to meet the
demands against him.
And what did they prove? That her
fortune was gone with her husbands
that nothing was withheld save her
diamonds, and those her exclusive
property; and besides this nothing did
they prove save how true and noble
was Alicia, Harold Graham's wife,
though not a shadow Of softness or
yielding was granted her by John
winthrop, counsel for Palmer Earle;
not a shadow Of turning, even when
he discovered that there remained no
fortune Of hers to be yielded to her
husbands creditors; even though he
knew that the handsome house upon
the avenue belonging to her was given
up to meet, so far as it might, these
heavy demands.
Nothing moved him, for down in his
heart he was struggling to yield, and
his will would not; for he believed it
weakness because of a woman's face,
and would be injustice to his client.
Alecia's mother and sisters were
upon the Continent at the time Of her
husbands failure, and learned the
startling news through the columns Of
the papers only, for Alicia kept any
mention Of it from her letters; and
they started for home as soon as ar
rangements could be hurried; for in
her home she was the sunshine as well
as in the world, and those nearest and
dearest would save her unpleasantness
or harm, so far as lay in human pow
er.
No word Of reproach was spoken Of
her husbands carelessness in this un-
fortunate investment that had lost
princely fortune; no word was uttered
among them save perfect love and re-
gret and encouragement. Harold Gra-
ham had too long been to them IN
ideal honorable man for them to ques-
tion his integrity. Mrs. Field insisted
upon their remaining at her house.
and admitted no denial when Harold
urged objections; and from the moth
er to Beatrice, the youngest Of the
family, they all-Marion and Cora and
Frances-gave only good cheer to this
favorite sister and her husband.
II hate that lawyer of Mr.. Earle'sw
cried Beatrice, with flushing cheeks
and sparkling eyes. "He is the only
one who is so hard upon Harold. The
Others are willing to give him time to
retrieve himself, but this John Win
Shrop-I've got his name by heart, I
assure you, for I'll not forget him If
the time comes to remember-is like
adamant, and urges Mr.. Earle to the
very last extremity. and is so general
L. hateful that ! wish / gould tell him
What l think Of him. Maybe he isn't
used to hearing the truth. but he'd
hear it then!..
(which would utterly crush him, Of
course" said Marion, ironically.
Even if 1t hasn't zone so yet, for 1
met him just now and he still trod the
street like veritable Prince Of the
Stony Hearts, Miss Bee" said
laughing voice at the door. as the
footman announced:
:. 'Mr. Gregory Bensonhurst."
CHAPTER VIII. !: