The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-09
CHAPTER IX.
THE OUTCOME.

tCorfHioHr. RoBxxT
CHAPTER IX.
THE OUTCOME.
Alecia said that the Golden Gate
might open to them pleasant lands:
and, although she could not know
what the future held In store. yet their
friends, new and old. said that fate
was specially good to Harold Graham.
and that he was joint heir with Midas
Of old. for everything he touched
seemed to turn to gold.
Certainly. In q worldly sense. he was
wonderfully prospcred. Part of Ale
sia's diamonds had been advanta-
xeously disposed Of. and their circum-
stances were comfortable from the
start. Little OF luxury. indeed-and
Harold Graham demanded luxury for
happiness-but they wanted for moth
ing really essential.
Nevertheless. Graham was not the
man to be satisfied with this. He
came to build up his fallen fortunes
he told her many times as excuse TOT
his speculations; and build them he
would. In that he was also prospered.
They chose San Francisco at hrst In
which to live, and rented charming
house ON q quiet street, but rs Harold
xrew more and more successful In his
ventures he grew equally more restless
and dissatisfied. And after q resi-
dence Of four months in the city they
left their new home and pleasant cir
ele of friends which Alecia drew ABOUT
her BY her graciousness and beauty.
and whom her husband attracted oy
hls brilliance and success.
From San francisco they Travelled
through California, north and south
IN places charming to see and good to
live In; among stretches Of almond
and orange orchards and vineyards
ROYAL with wealth. and slopes alive
with sheep; hospitable people every
where. and wonderful life; even the
sev moor remnants Of the old Mexican
families left in the rich lands or the
South, in their tiny homes among the
>iIls, opened their doors to the beaut-
mi American woman, though no oth-
Nh of her countrywomen were well
.omed: and It was q wonderful life to
Alecia, sad with the sorrow OF q dying
.emnant Of q great race. but sweet TO
know that they cared to have her go
among them, and would tell her
stories Of the old guy life before the
Americans came and they were
crushed or driven out
Even her husband for o time re
sained his old spirit and geniality. but
after the first the old wound. un-
healed. brought added restlessness and
bitterness, and he would be satisfied
with nothing; and from one place TO
another, from ranch to town and VII
lase and back to the city again; and
ytill fortune smiled upon them. and
stin Harold Graham could not be at
rest or find peace.
In their old home they had lived
hvishly; there had been nothing
wanting that o luxurious taste could
semand; but In the new home money
pasily gained was as easily and reck-
,essly spent. until 1t became q prov
srb among their friends that Graham's
wealth ebbed and lowed like the
seean's tide.
He seemed never to think Of the 20
ture or Of the past. The wealth Ale
IN had hoped would be gained to
meet the demand against her husband
n the old home city he spent as quick
y as It came to him. yet ever renewed
T. No wish Of hers that she uttered
sver 90 lightly but he granted-save
Der one great wish to return to New
York and her friends there. and to
clear every claim against her hus-
band. This wish was shut In her
aeart and he heard NO word Of her
aesire. for she would not ever place
Ser wishes before his.
But he knew that the thought was
Rith her; he could not know her as
be knew her without being perfectly
assured that her heart must long for
The old familiar faces and voices and
bve. He loved her deeply. intensely;
but even 50. he felt that she must
need the love Of those who gave her
love before he crossed her way.
He spoke Of 1t no more than she:
the .snbject fell by, degrees into silence
between them-for he even came TO
aver that be had NJ interest In the
tome.letteFs; and she lived this inner
NE alone. 1t wore upon her. Of
sourse. The old color was something
fainter and the light Of the eyes less
dear, though always quite steady. Her
emile. too, was less frequent. though
still very beautiful whenever 1t
crossed her lips.
Her husbands genial nature
shangei perceptibly as the days went
oy. He was always courteous to her;
aothing came near her that could an
COY or give her pain, so far as lay In
ais power to prevent; .hnt he grew ir-
fitable - his restlessness increased
rrining things annoyed him. Some
times his eyes frightened her with
their feverish hrilliancy. and habit
had grown npon him Of raising his
shand to his head half mechanically as
though In pain when he was ever 80
slightly troubled or annoyed.
Alicia noted this rs she noted every
thing relating 70 his welfare; but she
aever dared speak Of 1t to him. She
aaited and watched. and as this habit
grew alarmingiy. she went privately
10 Q physician and questioned him ~