The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-03-05
JOHN WINTHROP'S DEFEAT.
II Mopsl.
JEAN KATE LUDLUM.
tcorrn,cur Roprsr Bosarnp soxe, lsaal

the Government House." he said. smil-
Ing to resssure her.
She placed her hand trustinsly in his
and they passed out together. but the
hand was hand of Ice and her heart
was beating in terror. Her sensitive
spirit was stirred by the probability OF
danger to others. 1t was such fear
ful night.
They came upon excited groups In
the hall and parlor. the ladies' gather
ing ut once around Alicia. as though
there were some subtle strength and
magetlsm In her presence. Harold
passed out upon the piazza with few
Of the men to learn what was possible
Of the threatened danger.
~ tickl,sh thing" shouted George
Priestly. turning aside from the burst
of shrieking wind that struck across
the pier. holding his hat on with one
hand and grasping the lapels OF his
coat with the other. that It should not
be torn from him. "a ticklish thing.
now. l tell you. fellows. II It's small
boat out there! Those shots didn't
come from the coast side; they're OF to
leeward. and the coast-guard will have
q hard time trying to save them. Pret-
ty rocky, you know, out farther.
Mighty little hope. I say. What Is 1t,
Banks"
"a yacht" replied one Of the hotel
hands. hurrying past them across the
piazza for lanterns. Every one was
alert. for a wreck was terrible thing
In such q storm. "She's down by the
point. Been letting or rockets. Too
far gone for that, though. now. Hard
" a bit Of her left whole. They'll do
what they can to save 'em. but there
amt much hope"
Lets 20 down. shouted Harold.
perhaps we may be Of service. They'll
need all Of that they can get, God help
them
But we cannot 90 down there"
protested Charlie Brown, decidedly.
Wen blow across to Europe II we
try"
well. I don't object to a free pass
age acrossw retorted Harold. shortly.
He was of ere he finished speaking.
struggling with Ills companions, With
the sheets Of rain and hail beating
upon them. The sea had lifted Itself
In the might OF the storm and was
lashing close up under the PLANK walks
along the sand. washing over their feet
now and then as they fought their
way
Alecia, with her friends in the par!or
of the Surf Hotel. would indeed have
been proud Of her husband could she
have known Of his Grand. But she
did not know. and Ninette was cling
Ing to her for courage. and group
surrounded her discussing the danger
Of a vessel upon the sea, and trembling
under the terrible shocks OF thunder
roaring around them.
Poor Bess Cathcrwood was as white
as a ghost, and had long age forgiven
Leland, and would not allow him to
stir from her side for moment even
to learn what was passing outside. but
clung to him with her small hands. her
terrified eyes now lifted to his. now
close shut under their lids to keep out
the lightning flashes.
"Ob. it's just dreadful-dreadful-
dreadful" she would say. rs n thun-
der burst rever5erated around and
around the building. snatching her
hands from his arm to cover her ears
and cover still further down among
the cushions Of the great chair at the
farthest end Of the room from the win.
dows. Why must We have thunder
showers. Mr.. Leland? Why can't we
have quiet and rains instead? They're
bad enough, indeed, but this makes me
wretched! One might as well be at the
mouth Of a cannon and expect to be
shot into pieces. tell you It's hor-
rid. and I won't let You 80 outside that
door! You Just keep right on telling
me over and over that 1t will not last
long, or I shall die. I tell you"
So what could he do but remain
with her and comfort her. and think.
in spite OF her eowardice, that she was
the sweetest and dearest Of all women.
and be absolutely happy knowing that
sne cared to detain him there. although
It was his wish to 60 with his friends
and do what he might. should there be
need.
But shudder as they would in the
parlor, made brilliant with lights to
deaden the lightning. huddled In
groups. fearful Of the thunder and
lightning and sen. they did not dream
Of a drama enacted upon the wild
beach with the clouds and lightning
for background and only lanterns soT
fooellghts. Had Alicia known. would
her hands have been so steady or her
voice SO soft with its comforting:
Would she have said that all was well
even in that storm!
Far down on the beach the guests.
the hotel. l.hands and the coast.Suard
were doing their best for steam
yacht beating herself to pieces among
the breakers and rocks just beyond.
The yacht contained pleasure party
upon 4 fishing excursion caught In the
storm and unable to keep OF the coast,
the fury Of the storm having strained
their machinery and broken the shaft.
s, there she was beating upon the
rocks beyond the beach. Her bow
was scarcely above the waves. Her
stern was under water, and her pas