The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-06-19

i n3Q klileU tult NOtlldu. I1a'c uot
told you that l would not have
touched he:. had known that she was
John Winthrop's mother-or slster-or
wife? That is how l hate him.
Still Alicia did not recoil from Ter
in horror as Beatrice seemed to cX-
pcct; only the smile died from her
lips as she followed Beatrice, drawing
her forcibly over TO the low couch
among the others and pressing her
Gown tenderly among the cushions.
You threaten like Il tragedy queen
OF the stage" she said, quietly. Now
put away theatricals, Bee, and tell us
the truth. You saved Mrs. Winthrops
Iiie:'
But 1 tell You, Alecia,' protested
Beatrice. restl2ssly-"tEat I wouldn';
have done it had l KNOWN
Il don't wish you 10 tell me that"
said Alecia, steadily. and sternly, her
violet eyes upon her sisters flushed
face. You saved Mrs. Winthrop's
life. Bee Field"
Yes" rather sullcnly from Beatrice.
angry because they would vindicate
her in spite OF her denouncing words.
"How did you do it, Bee, dearT
"She was crossing the street" said
Beatrice, pulling her head away from
.llecia's light fingers that were remov-
ing her bonnet and veil, and making
more duffy the soft hair on her fore
head. "and she stumbled. 1t wasn't
anything really, only wouldn't have
done it-I tell you, Alecia. will finish
ir-had l known who she was"
Where is Anuette:" questioned Ale
cia. she vas with you, Zee. She
will tell us connectedly Of the acci-
dent"
she has gone home" replied
Beatrice, frowning. Il didn't want
her to come in. knew that you would
question her, ard l will not have that!
This is my affair. Alecia.'
What is she like, Bee!' asked Cora,
presently. is she real horrld--a sort
Of ogress, you know
How could she fail to be horrid,"
said Beatrice, coldly, being his moth
er, COra:" :H'i
But what does she look like?" per-
sisted Cora. rs she tall and big with
i hard voice and cold eyes and that,
you know"
"And did she flank you in a way
that made you wish you hadn't saved
her. queried Eathryn, saucily, las
some people 10, Dee:'
mo, she didn't said Beatrice, cross
ly. The truth would not be at all
pleasant for her to tell to these girls
it was bad enough for her to have
to acknowledge even to herself.
Then, what did she say?" asked Al
thea. "Of course, she said something,
Bee Fieldw
How can you expcct me to remem-
Der what she said!' retorted Beatrice,
irritably, rising to leave the room, fear
ing lest she be too closely pressed.
"One seldom remembers details at
slch time, Althea."
But you would" murmured Cora,
disappointedly, yet net daring to fur
ther question this willful sister OF
hers. For, if the truth must be known,
when Beatrice looked as she did at
that moment, Cora was considerably
afraid of her. You never forget,
Bee"'
Yes" said Beatrice, coldly, flashing
her eyes upon Cora. I'm that you are
right, Coral never do forget!'
But, before you CO." Joined in
Marion, coolly, I'VE shall be glad to
learn what this mans mother does
look like, Beatrice. 1t should be a
qualification to you to describe her II
she is such a disagreeable person"
Il did not say that she is disagree
able, AIarion~ Beatrice paused in the
doorway.
"Oh, indeed! But you certainly in
sinuated it, Bee. You said that she
could not fail to be horrid, being his
mother What else were we led to
expect"
We'll, of course, she is horrid.' de-
clared Beatrice, desperately. But she
doesn't look so, Marion! Her face is
very sweet in eXpression.-mild, you
know-and her eyes are blue, like blue
bells-like Alecia Sand her hair is
the loveliest white. She's 4 Quaker.
too, and called me thee as though
she loved tie word. There! Only
she is just as horrid, Of course! She
cannot help being horrid, as 1 said"
The girl vanished as the last word
was uttered, as though it were sorely
bitter for her 10 be obliged to yield
even this much TO the mother of John