The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-16
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JOHN WINTHROP'S DEFEAT.
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JEAN KATE LUDLUM.
CHAPTER XI.
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JEAN KATE LUDLUM.
lcoYrKYeur. RosEar BoxSxa's Sons. Isas.l


CHAPTER XI.
TURN IN TIE WHEELS OF PATE.
Palmer Earle and his wife sent a
somewhat formal but kind letter Of
to Mrs. Graham upon her
return from the West after her hus-
bands death. His wife also called
upon Mrs. Graham and the Fields be-
fore their departure for Europe.
They were not hard-hearted people
the Earles-and apart from Palmer
Earle's unfortunate business connec-
ton with Harold, they bore 10 in-win
not toward Mrs. Graham.
To be sure. Palmer Earle was
Harold Graham's heaviest creditor.
and lost a large amount of money
through the failure. and for him to
concede as much as he had In writing
to her at all. or for his wife TO call
upon them. was even more than one
could require.
But Alecia did not Ike them. and
could not bring herself to do so. nj.
though she was perfectly courteous.
IL q tr!fe more naughty than usual.
when Mrs. Palmer Earle called upon
her; and. OF course, IN this, as In all
else pertaining to Alecia and Harold.
the Fields gave her due honor. par
ticularly Beatrice. Beatrice even went
SO far as to protest that she would
have. for her part. somewhat despised
Alecia had she liked the Earles after
Palmer Earle's treatment Of her hus-
band. But even then none Of them
knew that Palmer Earle owed his life
to Harold Graham, for Alecia decided
not to disclose the fact unless there
were occasion, rs 1t was her husbands
wish that this creditor should remain
In ignorance Of the debt he owed In
turn, and because her mother and sis
tiers and friends would be made the
more bitter against the man. And as
It was they were bitten enough. in
deed.
John Winthrop also sent letter Of
coincidence to Mrs. Graham. but he
did not venture to can upon her. John
Winthrop was comparatively q strang.
er in the city at the time Of Graham's
failure. His home was among the
Berkshire Hills, and he had studied
law and pracriceu It In Boston. Recon-
mended to New York by an old friend
of his father. and with powerful let
ter Of introduction to Palmer Earle
and other influential business men, he
left Boston and came to New York,
his mother-his father being dead-re.
naming alone in the old homestead
with two or three faithful servants
and Jessica Grey, q ward OF her son.
Up to the time Of the failure Of Gra-
ham. then, John Winthrop had few
In the city. Palmer
Earle indorsed him utterly. and Palm
er Earle's word was law among most:
but socially. John Winthrop kept
rather proudly apart Consequently.
he dared not venture to call upon
Mrs. Graham. although he had lately
gained not only the acquaintance. but
the friendship OF many OF Alecia's
friends.
But he wrote to her.
Few words he wrote her. indeed:
stern and somewhat cold, but sim
plest regret for her sorrow. He could
have done less, and he would
do no more.
The effect Of his letter upon Beatrice
was decidedly electrifying to her fami-
ly. All the girls had q good deal to
say In relation to his audacity after
his behavior in regard to her husband;
but Beatrice was most vehement In
her anger. as she sprang to her feet,
facing Alicia.
II hate him. she cried. breathless.
ly. There Is no need for me to tell
you that I hate him. Let me have
his letter. Let me tear 1t to pieces.
Alecia. cannot endure that you
should have even that Of his IN your
possession. And some day he may
learn how I hate him"
Il think that you misjudge him. Bee.
dear" said Alicia. drawing the e1-
cited girl down beside her. and rump-
ling caressingly the soft curls upon
her forehead. II must own that / do
not like Mr.. Winthrcp-how could /?
but l think he follows to the letter
his standard of honor. Even though
he was Harold's enemy. we must be
just to him."
And unless you curb your temper.
Bee." said Marion. calmly. you will
some day spoil your life"
Nevertheless" said Cora. laughing.
Il believe that would thoroughly en-
Joy hearing Spittre lecture Lawyer
Granite! She would strike sparks
from even his flint II any one could.
! rather think he would clench those
strong hands Of his. longing to choke
the words back in her teeth"
And Just to disturb that hateful
calm Of his. I would do much" cried
Beatrice. in q mufiied voice, with Ale
cia's soft hands laid upon her rebel
Eous lips.
And to know that he goes to
Europe. too. makes me almost willing
TO give up Paris" added Cora. with
puckered brows and lips. 1T will be
just our fate to stumble upon them
somewhere! His mother. and some
ward or other 90 with him. you know.
! wonder what they are like"
"PerhapS." suggested Marion. with
her superior air. his mother Is q soft.
enins influence. Cora. and his ward
some t0ruienting creature-like your
self-who will torture him sufficient