The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-07-17
CHAPTER Nv
(Continued.)

NLSSio III thoSS Slihu4uS LA4!io ''-N
fashioned from such spider films o.?
fneness. And they walked up the
promenade-that strange group - as
though nothing had happened to mar
the sunshine in any of their lives, Ut
tering careless words in the thousand
and one items of small-talk, no mighty
earthquake. no fearful fire from hcav-
Ell 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, ard
there was the old stern expression
upon her face as when first Alicia
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 as Beatrice usually did
emile 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
their conversation were some cruel
thing, hard to comprehend.
She recognized instantly her sisters
companions. but gave no sign, stand
ing perfectly still and proud and calm,
with her immovable face turned to
Gregory Bensonhurst, and her slender
figure erect and graceful.
Beatrice" said Alecia, pausing be-
side her, while the others passed on
to the dining-room, "are you ready,
dear?'
"Yes." said Beatrice, quietly. "But
let me warn you, Alicia, that you will
meet in there the man whom 1 hope
YOU hate as earnestly as I. Palmer
Earle came over in the Banjo with
Mr.. Priestly this afternoon. He came
to see his beloved counsel, on some
business, Of course, and took the OPP
portunity of an outing. I sincerely
regret that the Banjo, with her usual
Intelligence, did not sink, knowing
that he was sailing in her"
We'll" said Alicia, indifferently,
81 shall not let Mr.. Earle or his coun.
sci affect my happiness, Bee, nor my
appetite. Let US so in."
But there is more that I have
learned" said Beatrice, intensely, her
eyes upon her sisters calm face. II
think that you know it already Alecia.
Mr.. Bensonhurst told me. They shall
learn it, too, presently"
What do yoN mean, Bee" There
was an earnest gravity in Alecia's
voice that betrayed her fear.
Never mind" said Beatrice, slowly
and very distinctly. Il shall have the
pleasure of speaking the truth for
once, Mrs. Graham, as have so long
hoped. Did not tell you If ever the
time came l would tell John Win
throp the truth? You shall not pre-
vent me in this, Alicia. Mr.. Benson
hurst Is q man as we'll as this grand
mogul counsel, and he does not tell
me am unjust"
Il Think" Gregory Bensonhurst
said, gravely; "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, but he overstrains 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 flaw that I discover in him.
He is very noble man save for that"
"A mans nobility is proved in small
things as in great, Mr.. Bensonhurst"
cEied Beatrice swiftly, with waking
anger in her great dark eyes and
around her quivering mouth. There
can be not true nobility where there
is no heart"
Then you shall prove him, Bee"
said Alicia, quietly, slipping one hand
softly within her sisters arm. "They
will believe that we fear to face them
unless we go in at once"
They shall shortly learn that I do
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 for
an opportunity to face Palmer Earle
and his counsel with her truth, came
upon them in apparent unconscious
ness as they loitered on the pier with
their cigars before joining the ladies
on the piazza.
Beatrice had been promenading with
Gregory Bensonhurst, but giving him
No chance of ntterino the words so