The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-03-19
a2se,3 ~ 9sse - ?!:egsss5S6
IN: 8la se@8
II - ssssB
\ WI JOHN WINTHROP'S DEFEAT.
&S. n Nopd.
n Ncpsl
JEAN KATE LU
ico.YaIeur, Rosxs. BosxEa,s Sous. lsas.l

oSNEkb ooSts luo.
And now. dearest" he said. when
they were alone. as regarded their
friends. 'this will be a hard day fo-
both Of US. I shall take you home at
once and then 80 down town. will
place everything in Clavering's hands
and let them fight 1t out! 1t will be
the bitterest fight Of my life! regret
that your mother and sisters are still
In Europe. Alicia! I wish they were
here with you at this difficult time"
"You need not regret their absence.
Harold" Alicia said, quietly. II am
glad they are away. I prefer having
only you until this Is over. We will
fight it ont by ourselves and hope for
the best that can come"
"Your faith Is wonderful, Alecla."
he said. rather coldly. his temepera-
ment changeable under the trials Of
the past day. He had SO little hope
for himself. IT tAink you will find It
tried to the utmost ere you have done"
"And still there will be some good
left. Nothing Is ever all wrong"
Nor half good" said her husband.
bitterly. Except you. Alicia"
But be as brave as she would Alecia
knew that much Of bitterness must
come to them ere they could leave the
city and begin their new life at the
West, where the flowers were still
sweet in spite Of the falling gardens
of the East. And In truth she was
tried most bitterly during the weeks
that followed tnat day.
The failure Of the house Of Graham
electrified the city at the first shock;
a little later came the comprehension
that this failure meant loss to many
possibly utter ruin to some-and then
came the ruthless clamor for self and
self and self.
Literally every man for himself"
said Harold Graham. bitterly. one day,
"and the devil take him that comes
last. Would to God could but meet
all my liabilities, and would start
afresh in q Western city and build up
a new name. But burdened ss I shall
be at the best"
IF all Is done that Is possible" said
Alecia. in her sweet, quiet voice, allow
ing no shadow of her own suffering to
fall upon her husband. I'VE can do no
more than start afresh. anyway. Har-
old, and build up the old name and pay
OF the old debts and find q happy life
through 1t ALL"
II believe you would nnd happiness
II exiled to Siberia. Alecia." said her
husband wearily. yet always courteous
to her. "What Is 1t in your heart that
lifts you over everything-you. too.
who love every good thing as well as
I do? One might think you the daush-
ter Of Solon. my sweet philosopher.
What would I do without you"
She went to him and ran her fingers
softly and lightly through his hair.
There were wrinkles Of care In his face
and threads Of gray in the midnight
hair, that had come within that short
space Of trouble. Very soft and tender
were her fingers and magnetic In theF
touch. until the lines softened and q
smile fell upon the tense lips.
"Then Mr.. Earle Will not compro-
mise the matter. Harold-will not give
you any grace. NO matter how 1t is
urged upon him"
II tell you. he is implacable. Alecia!
He has such straight lines Of integrity
for his own trading that he cannot see
q hairs breadth to left or right in an
other mans affairs with leniency.
do not think the man is really hard
hearted. He believes himself -.eht.
Clavering urged the last plea for me
with him to-day. He might as well
have pleaded with rock"
"Then I will see what I can do. I
am not a lawyer. nor so eloquent In
business phrases as Mr.. Clavering. but
shall see what q woman can do. We
will not despair. tell you. Harold.
We will do everything that We can"
He pushed the soft hand from his
head and arose facing her. A flush
was fighting the pailor Of his face.
He was frowning heavily.
what Is 1t you would do. Alecia"
II shall 20 to Mr.. Earle myself"
she slid. quietly. standing rs resolute-
ly facing him rs he faced her. II shall
appeal to his sense Of justice I shall
tell him. II every other plea fails. that
he is worse than cruel to be so impla-
cable toward the man who save his
life at the risk OF his own"
.:Neverm he interrupted her fiercely.
starting forward. Pardon me, Ale.
cia. for my harshness. but will not
have that used in my favor. II he will
not give me a fair chance to retrieve
myself from purely business motives.
he shall not ever say that worked
upon his gratitude. Who told you. any
way. Alecia? They gave me their
word they wouldn't repeat 1t. He lid
not know"
mo one told me-" she said. steadily;
II guessed II, harold. l knew. every
one knew. that you did much toward
saving the other men. snd added this.
I knew you. and knew 1t was what
you would do"
But you shall not tell him." be re.
peated more quietly. the first intense
feeling Of anger at discovering that
she was cognizant Of tha. act-uncon-
scious also Of his temptation - was
gone. You shall not go to that man.
either, Alecia. Do you think I would