The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-05-21
CHAPTER XVI.
lContinued}

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CHAPTER XVI.
(Continued}
The halls Of tragedy are SO often
built on the pillars Of farce. And the
wheels in those grinding mills are
fashioned from such spider films OF
iineness. And they walked up the
promenade-that strange group - as
though nothing had happened to mar
the ssnshine In any Of their lives. ut-
eering careless words In the thousand
and one items Of small-talk, no mighty
earthquake, no fearful fire from heav-
en- to change the face OF nature. be-
cause two souls were struggling be-
tween pride and love.
Beatrice was waiting for her sister.
She was standing ON the piazza talk
Ing with Gregory Bensonhurst. and
there was the old stern expression
upon her face as when first Alecia
made known to her the failure Of her
pleading with Palmer Earle's counsel.
A strangely hard look to be upon the
face OF a girl. scorn and pride and in.
dignation burning within. She was
not smiling Us Beatrice usually d'd
smrle for the man beside her. Her
eyes were lifted to his. and she was
speaking very slowly and with evil
dent effort. as though the topic Of
thetr conversation were some cruel
thing, hard to comprehend.
She recognized instantly her sisters
companions. but gave NO sign. stand:
ing perfectly stiIl and proud and calm.
with her immovable face turned to
Gregory Bensonhurst. and her slender
dgrre erect md graceful.
Beatrice" said Alecia, pausing be.
side her. while the others passed on
to the dining-room. '"are you ready.
dearw
YES" said Beatrice. quietly. "But
Let me warn you. Alecia. that you will
meet In there the man whom hope
you hate a. earnestly as I. Palmer
Earle. came over tn the Banjo with
Mr.. Priestly this afternoon. He came
to see his beloved counsel. on some
business, Of course. and took the Op-
pcrtunity Of an outing. I sincerely
regret thnt the Banjo. with her usual
Intelligence. did not sink. knowing
that he was sailing In her"
"Well," said Alecia. indiferently.
.I shall not let Mr.. Earle or his coun-
Gel affect my happiness. Bee. nor my
appetite. Let us 60 In"
But there Il more that / have
Searned." said Beatrice. intensely. her
eyes upon her sisters calm face. II
think that You know 1t already Alecia.
Mr.. Bensonhurst told me. They shall
learn 1t, too. presently"
"what do you mean, Bee" There
was an earnest gravity in Alecla's
voice that betrayed her fear.
-'Never mind" said Beatrice. slowly
and very distinctly. II shall have the
pleasure Of speaking the truth for
once. Mrs. Graham. as I have 50 long
hoped. Did I not tell you II ever the
time came I would tell John Win
thfop the truth? You shall not pre-
vent me in this, Alicia. Mr.. Benson.
Aurst 10 q man a. well as this grand
mogul counsel. and he does not tell
ne am unjust"
II think" Gregory Bensonhurst
said. grayely. "that It may do John
Winthrop good to hear the truth from
Miss Beatrice's point OF view. Mrs.
Graham. He is a thoroughly honor.
able man, hut he .oyerstrains his code
Of Justice sometimes, fearing that his
heart shall make him weak. have
learned to know him pretty well dur.
ing these past two years. and that is
the only daw that ! discover In him.
he 10 very noble man save for that. "
"a mans nobility Is proved in small
things as in great. Mr.. Bensonhurst!
cried Beatrice swiftly. with waking
anger In her great dark eyes and
around her guivering mouth. There
can be nat true nobility where there
a no heartr"
Then you shall prove him. Bee"
said Aleeia. quietly, slipping one hand
softly within her sisters arm. "They
viii believe that we fear to face them
unless We 60 in at once"
They shall shortly learn that dc
not" said Beatrice. as she turned
with her sister and friend and entered
the room.
And that evening. with her usual
impetuosity. Beatrice Field, alert 70,
IN opportunity to face Palmer Earle
and his counsel with her truth. came
upon them In apparent unconscious
ness as they loltered on the pier with
their cigars before joining the ladies
ON the piazza.
Beatrice had been promenad;ng with
Gregory Bensonhursf, but giving him
no chance Of uttering the words SC
near his heart. too much excited by
the truth made known TO her tina,
evening. and as she saw that the two
men were about returning to the hote
abe slipped her hand from her com
panion's arm and walked deliberately
down the plank to meet them.
No one observed them save young
Bensonhurst. for most Of the guests
were on the piazza facing the pavilion
or on the sands or along the promen
ade. This one girl came upon then
almost q stranger. but utterly disre
gardful Of the fact In her desire fol
justification Of Graham's memory.
Both lifted their hats as she paused