The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-06-11
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! JOHN WINTHROP'S DEFEAT.
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JEAN KATE LUDLUM
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JEAN KATE LUDIuM
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Alecia Is recovering more every
day." she answered. steadily. 1T
seems strange. does 1t not, that they
two should be the ones to have been
most hurt. Mr.. Bensonhurst:"
Then she bit her lip and paused.
shaking out her parasol to raise it 1t
were better to forget that day on
board the Banjo-better every way,
for remembering It she must also re.
member the strength Of his arm and
his tender words in her fear. She felt
the deepening color In her face and
FASTENED to raise her parasol.
1T Is 50 provokingr' she said impa-
tiently.
He took It from her hands with quiet
authority. and. raising 1t. held 1t over
her. walking at her side. They were
upon the sands and alone. save a few
straying far up the beach.
Beatrice" he said. and she knew
what he would say from the gentle
ness Of his voice. although he did not
offer to touch even her hand, "some
time ago you sent me away W a
riddle on your lips. You did not tell
me that you did not love me. but you
sent me away. Perhaps you told me
there was no hope, but would not al
low myself to believe that, for I loved
you too truly. So waited with Won
derful patience. hoping that you would
recall me. but you did not. Beatrice.
that day when all Of rs might have
met death. I knew that I had waited
long enough to learn your heart
can be patient no longer. ask you
again to-day II you can tell me truly.
as you would tell the man who loves
you. II still there Is no hope?
Shs frowneI. her eyes studiously
bent upon the sand. trying to keep her
lips steady and stern. But she must
answer him: she would not let him
think her weak ard foolish and inca.
pable Of sending him away II she
would.
II am waiting. dearest" said Greg.
ory Bensonhurst. quietly.
And then, as though some powerful
wave had risen and swept away her
anger and her pride and left only love.
she lifted her eyes softly and sweetly
to his. uttering NO word, and clasped
her two hands around his arm, her
lips trembling. her face radiant.
"Alecia was right" he said. by and
BY, as they sat on the sands. watch
Ing the ocean and the ships and the
light summer clouds, but very happy
In their Incidence. "All things do
come to him who wdits. my dearest"
YES" said Beatrice. slowly and re.
luctantly. as though even in her own
happiness she could not wish happi.
ness to come to the man she had SO
resolutely hated. And who knows
but 1t may come even to John Win
throp. Gregory? ! have feared so.
am wise. too. maybe. IL I am not Ale
cia. Perhaps the great mantle CT
charity that we hear SO much about,
but seldom see. has been folded away
50 long, save q scant corner that is
dragged heavily upon some shoulder,
that we have almost forgotten to IN
fold 1t as we do our other good wrap
pings, to discover whether the moths
have gotten in 1t or no. We sometimes
unfold precious old stuffs, you know,
only to nnd that they fall to dust and
ashes in our hands. And who knows
but death may be the moth that dis.
covers the forgotten mantle. Gregory
death lays bare SO many things"
what do you mean, dearest? ques-
toned her lover.
But Beatrice shook her head and
would say no more. though he shrewd.
~ knew that It was Of John Win
throp she spoke!
But one might have thought she
knew as well as her lover Of what
was passing unseen. for at that mo-
ment Mrs. Winthrop. tapping upon
Alecia's door. and being summoned
to enter. crossed swiftly to her side,
q smile on the beautiful woman's face
lifted to hers bending above her. as
she held out her hands. keeping her
voice steady by strong will. rs she
said In her gentle voice with the ten.
der accent:
Mrs. Graham! II thee loves me.
or II thee loves ay son. come to him
He Is dying and calls for thee"