The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-23
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u JOHN WINTHR0P'S DEFEAT.
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JEAN KATE LUDLUM
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JEAN KATE LUDLUM.,

out, momma-l OOu Z Wluu. ESPheo
the girl. though vivid red spot burned
in each smooth cheek. and a flame
was In her eyes, as though the oiym-
phian goddess had touched her there
with fire. But the old saying that !
specially meant mamma. Is OF the
mills of the gods that grind so slow
"! The spider-like wheels OF their
machinery made a revolution to-day
under my handsT
Mrs. Field sighed over this incorrigi-
BILE girl; Cora laughed: Marion
shrugged her shoulders disdainfully
and raised her eyebrows; Kathryn
and Althea and Frances waited ex.
pectantly.
Alecia reached out her hand to her
sister.
You dramatic child! Come here at
once and explain" she said.
Beatrice shook her head.
II haven't much to say" she replied.
steadily. II prefer standing here
where I can easily escape should hor-
ror seize you. have avenged you to
some extent this morning. Alicia Ora.
ham. l saved the life Of some one at
the Belle Jardiniere'"
You, Bee Field? Whose life was
It"
A clamor Of tongues; interested faces
new in place Of quietly attentive faces.
Even Mrs. Field forgot her annoyance
at the girls heedlessness.
What do you mean. Beatrice"
"Guessr'
I'm q Yankee, but I can't" said
Kathryn. laughing. Tell rs. Bee. like
q good child"
"Guessw repeated Beatrice. with
that slow, stern shutting Of the lips
that came only with intense anger or
excitement.
Perhaps the one name was In the
minds Of all. suggested by the girls
face; but only Althea Dunraven had
the hardihood to utter 1t In her soft.
pretty voice.
John Winthrop. Beef"
Beatrice shook her head. Her lips
were cruel now. She turned her eyes
upon Althea like q fash Of blazing
anger.
Not John Winthrop. No. Althea;
but next best-his mother"
Utter, dead silence for q moment.
Then Alecia asked. q sweet light upon
her face:
Brave little Bee! How did you do
It. dear?
Beatrice made a swift. fierce gcs-
ture with her hands, as though she
were pushing down some rising enemy.
The stern lips would not soften even
before the light in her sisters face.
The fame in 2he hazel eyes deepened
them to black. Her voice was like
steel when she spoke-not the bright
voice Of impulsive Beatrice Field.
"How did l do II. Alicia? You ask
me7 But first I must tell you the
truth. You shall not think that would
have lifted my hand for her had !
dreamed who she was-for would
not. ! told you long ago how hate
that man-her son! This woman should
have died. trampled under the hoofs
Of the horses, for all me. had known
that she was his mother! Such cruel
natures have no right in this world.
No! did not know until-afterward.'
Silence again-a throbbing. alive
silence that seemed filed with beating
hearts trembling before the truth
waiting to hear the worst, II worse
there were.
But you did save herr" said Alecia.
then. going over to her sister. Being
our true. brave Bee. you could have
done nothing else. darling"
Beatrice pushed aside Alecia's gen
tie hands and stepped back from her,
her flashing eyes holding q spirit Of
evil within them. though a streak Of
alternate red and white fell across her
face as though evil and good were
having equal battle in her heart.
Don't touch me. Alecia" she cried,
with swift impulse. You don't real
ize how wicked I am! I tell you I
am just as much murderer as though
/ had killed that woman! Have not
told you that would not have
touched her had known that she was
John Winthrop's mo:her-or sister-or
wife? That is how l hate him.
Still Alicia did not recoil from her
In horror rs Beatrice seemed to eZ-
pect; cnly the smile died from her
lips as she followed Beatrice. drawing
her forcibiy over to the low couch
among the others and pressing her
down tenderly among the cushions.
You threaten like q tragedy queen
Of the stage" she said. quietly. Now
put away theatricals. Bee, and tell US
the truth. You saved Mrs. Winthrop's
life"
But / tell you. Alecia," protested
Beatrice, restlessly-"tbat ! wouldn't
have done II had I knowE-'
II don't wish you to tell me that"
said Alicia, steadily. and sternly. her
violet eyes upon her sisters flushed
4! cace. You saved Mrs. Winthrop's
| lie. Bee Field:"
Yes" rather sullenly from Beatrice.
angry because they would vindicate
her in spite Of her deaouncing words.
How did you do II. Bee, dearT'
She was crossing the street." said
Beatrice D;lllinp her head away from