The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-05-15

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B ~ JOHN WINTHR0P'S DEFEAT.
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JEAN KATE LUDLUM.
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JEAN KATE LUZ


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men on the beach! He came a trifie
too near going under to Please me,
were in his place.
81 wouldn't mind being in his place.
said one of the others, laughing. with
/ shrug of his shoulders, catching the
strange expression upon Harold
Graham's face and believing that he
knew its cause: IF by being there l
could possess his wealth. One of the
richest men in the city. he is! Look at
the Yacht that went down. Worth a
good sight of money. And his horses.
WY, 7: . -c.-7.c:; are enough 10 make
one howl from pure jealousy
Conversation strayed upon indifrer-
: ent subjects after that. The gentle
men. after boarding the train, buried
themselves in the morning papers with
comment now and then upon some
point OF politics CT other thought as
suggested in. the columns before them.
And before they reached the city most
of them went into the smoker to re-
fresh themselves against the trying
day with a cigar - all save Harold
Graham. who protested that he did
not care for this stimUlaIt, but would
remain with his wife.
"And now, dearest he said. when
they were alone, as regarded their
friends, this will be q hard day fo~
both Of us. shall take you home at
once and then go down town. 1 will
place everything in Claverins's hands
and let them fight it out! 1t will be
the bitterest fight of my life! l regret
that your mother and sisters are still
in Europe, Alicia! 1 wish they were
here with you at this difficult time"
You need not regret their absence.
Harold" Alicia said, quietly. Il am
glad they are away. l prefer having
only you until this is over. We will
fight it out by ourselves and hope for
the best that can come"
Your faith is wonderful, Alecia."
he said. rather coldly, his temepera-
ment changeable under the trials Of
the past day. He had so little hope
for himself. 81 think you will find 1t
tried to the utmost ere you have DONE
and sti> there will be some good
left. Nothing is ever all wrong"
Nor half good" said her husband,
bitterly, except you. Alecia"
But be as brave as she would Alicia
knew that much of bitterness must
come to them ere they could leave the
city and begin their new life at the
West, where the flowers were still
sweet in spite of the falling gardens
of the East And in truth she was
tried most bitterly during the weeks
that followed tnat day.
The failure of the house Of Graham
electrified the city at the first shock;
little later came the comprehension
that this failure meant loss to many
possibly utter ruin to some-and then
came the ruthless clamor for self and
self and self.
Literally every man for himself"
said Harold Graham, bitterly, one day,
"and the devil take him that comes
last. Would to God 1 could but meet
all my liabilities, and I would start
afresh in a Western city and build up
q new name. But burdened as I shall
be at the best"
"If all is done that Is possible" said
Alecia, in her sweet. quiet voice, allow
ing no shadow Of her own suffering to
fall upon her husband. 1--WE can do 40
more than start afresh, anyway, Htr-
old, and build up the old name and psy
off the old debts and find happy lie
through 1t ALL"
II believe you would End happiness
If exiled to Siberia, Alicia" said he
husband wearily. yet always courteous
to her. What is it in your heart thai
/ lifts you over everythins-you, too,
who love every good thing as well as
do? One might think you the dGuSh-
ter of Solon, my sweet philosopher.
What would I do without you"
She went to him and ran her fingers
softly and lightly through his hair.
There were wrinkles of care in his face
and threads of gray in the midnight
hair, that had come within that short
space of trouble. Very soft and tender
were her fingers and magnetic in their
touch, until the lines softened and q
smile fell upon the tense lips.
Then Mr.. Earle will not compro-
mise the matter, Harold-will not give
you any grace. no matter how it is
urged upon him"
II tell you, he is implacable. Alicia!
He has such straight lines OF integrity