The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-06-12
CHAPTER NI.
, r---S II TIL, wuYrrs OF FATE.

Ty--E N TIT, wUTrr = or FATE.
Palmer Earle and his wife sent
somewhat formal but kind letter Of
coincidence 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 We're not hard-hearted people
the Earles-and apart from Palmer
Earle's unfortunate business connec-
ton With Harold, they bore no ill-will
certainly not toward Mrs. Graham.
To be sure, Palmer Earle was
Harold Graham's heaviest creditor,
and lost 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 Alicia did not like them, and
could not bring herself to do SO, al
though she was perfectly courteous,
If trifle more naughty than usual,
when Mrs. Palmer Earle called upon
her; and, Of course, in this, rs in all
else pertaining to Alecia and Harold,
the Fields gave her due honor. par
ticularly Beatrice. Beatrice even went
so far rs to protest that she would
have. for her part, somewhat despised
Alicia had she liked the EarleS after
Palmer Earle's treatment Of her huS-
band. But even then none Of them
knew that Palmer Earle oweS his life
to Harold Graham. for Alicia decided
not to disclose the fact unless there
were occasion, as it 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 IS
it was they were bitten enough, in
deed.
John Winthrop also soat letter OF
coDdolence to Mrs. Graham, but he
did not venture to call upon her. John
Winthrop was comparati7e 7ely strang-
er in the city ut the time Of Graham's
failure. His homo was among the
Berkshire Hills, and he had studied
law and p-actlceu it in Boston. Recon-.
mended to New York by an old friend
of his father, and with a powerful let
ter of introduction to Palmer Earle
and other influential business n II, 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 Gray, q ward OF her son.
Up to the time of the failure Of Ora
ham, then, John Winthrop had few
acquaintances 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 Alccia'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
scarcely have done less, and he would
do no more.
The effect of his letter upon Beatrice
was decidedly electrifying to her fami-
ay. All the girls had a 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 himw she cried, breathless-
". There is no need for me to tell
you that I hate him. Let me have
his letter. Let me tear it to pieces,
Alicia. cannot endure that you
should have even that Of his in your
possession. And some day he may
learn how I hate him."
II think that you misjudge him, Bee,
dear" said Alicia, drawing the ex-
cited girl down beside her, and rump-
ling caressingly the soft curls upon
her forehead. II must own that do
not like Mr.. Winthropthow could 7?