The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-06-05
CHAPTER IA.
THE OUTCOME.

., AlSclu Sdlu ludl TIC OOIutA NdtS
might open to them pleasant lands;
and, although she could not know
what the future held in store, yet their
friends, new and old, said that fate
was specially good to Harold Graham,
and that he was joint heir with Midas
of old, for everything he touched
seemed to turn to gold.
Certainly, in worldly sense, he was
wonderfully prospered. Part of Ale
cia's diamonds had been advanta-
.geously disposed of, and their circum-
stances were, comfortable from the
start. Little of luxury, indeed-and
Harold Graham demanded luxury for
lhappiness-but they wanted for moth
ing really essential.
Nevertheless, Graham was not the
man to be satisfied with this. e. He
came to build up his fallen fortunes,
he told her many times as excuse for
his speculations; and build them he
would. In that he was also proSpered.
They chose San Francisco at first IN
which to live, and rented charming
house on quiet street, but as Harold
grew more and more successful IN his
ventures he grew equally more restless
and dissatisfied. And after a resi-
iGlence of four months in the city they
left their new home and pleasant cir
Gle of friends which Alicia drew about
her by her graciousnesS and beauty.
and whom her husband attracted by
his brilliance and success. d,
From San Francisco they Travelled
Through California, north and soutn'
In places charming to see and good 10
live In; among stretches Of almond
and orange orchards and vineyards
,royal with wealth, and slopes alive
with sheep; hospitable people every
where, and wonderful life; even the
few Door remnants Of the old Mexican
families left in the rich lands OF the
South, in their tiny homes among the
hills, opened their doors to the beauti-
ful American woman, though no oth'
ers of her countrywomen were well
coined: and it was a wonderful life to
Alecia, sad with the sorrow OF a dying
remnant of a great race, but sweet 10
know that they cared to have her go
among them, and would tell her
stories Of the old gay life before the,
Americans came and they were
crushed or driven out. !
Even her husband for a time re
gained his old spirit and geniality, but
after the first, the old wound, un-,
healed, brought added restlessness and
bitterness, and he would be satisfied
with nothing; and from one place to
another, from ranch to town and vii
lage and back to the city again; and
still fortune smiled upon them, and
still Harold Graham could not be at
rest or find peace. !
In their old home they had lived
lavishly; there had been nothing
wanting that a luxurious taste could
demand; but in the new home money
easily gained was as easily and reck-,
lessly spent, until 1t became a prov
erb among their friends that Graham's
wealth ebbed and flowed like the
oceans tide. g:
(; He seemed never to think of the fu-
ture or Of the past. The wealth Ale
cia had hoped would be gained to
meet the demand against her husband
in the old home city he spent as quick,
ly as it came to him, yet ever renewed
1t. No wish of hers that she uttered
ever so lightly but he granted-saye
her one great wish to return to New
York and her friends there, and to.
clear every claim against her hus-
band. This wish was shut in her
heart and he heard no word of her
desire, for she would not ever place
her wishes before his.
But he knew that the thought was
with her; he could not know her as,
he knew her without being perfectly
assured that her heart must long for
the old familiar faces and voices and
love. He loved her deeply, intensely
but even so, he felt that she must
need the love of those who gave her.
love before he crossed her way.
He spoke of it no more than she;
the subject fell by degrees into silence
between them-for he even came to
aver that he had no interest in the:
home-letters; and she lived this inner
life alone. 1t wore upon her, Of
course. The old color was something
fainter and the light Of the eyes less
clear, though always quite steady. Her
smile, too, was less frequent, though
still very beautiful whenever IT.
crossed her lips.
Her husbands genial nature
cl,onoad porcoptihIv os rho dave went