The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-07-10
CHAPTER XVI.
TIE TRUTH AT LAST.

TIE TRUTH AT LAST.
"lIr. Winthrop, 1 believe? You, toe
even you-are attracted by this beau.
ty. Artists and poets-and women
are most easily moved by such scenes
as this; one would not ascribe such
soft side to Mr.. Winthrop" said Mrs.
Graham.
He felt the hot, unruly blood surge
to his face and recede, leaving him
death-like in pallor; his eyes, now
black with the intensity Of emotion,
burned into hers; his head was lifted
as proudly as was hers in the soft lilac
twilight.
Miss Catherwood's light hand was
trembling upon her lovers arm, terri
fed lest there be some bitter scene
between these two; and Lane Leland
drew himself up with equal dignity
with John Winthrop, ready to defend
his fiancee's friend should there be
need. Jessica Gray's hands were
clasped in her lap, and her eyes were
upon these two, scarcely noting the
others, although she showed no spe-
cial interest save that strange flicker
in her eyes, like newly wakened fire.
Mrs. Winthrop had turned her sweet,
calm face trustingly to her son, the
tender sea lights upon her snowy
hair, a wonderful peace in her soft
blue eyes, waiting for him to speak
and prove this woman's Injustice.
Mrs, Graham Is kind" he said, his
voice as steady and cold as Alecia's,
for his will mastered any heart pain,
"to credit me with the softness Of
, poet-or a woman. But she over
praises me! I am here solely on ac-
count of my mother and Miss Gray"
"And the less one possesses of this
softness belonging to poets-and wom-
en-the surer is one given high seat
in the counsel chambers. Is it not so,
Mr.. Winthrop"
The lines about his mouth We're
stern, and dagger-points were in his
eyes.
The more unbiased judgment there
Is the more certain will the wheels of
the world run evenly - yes, Mrs.
Graham" he said.
"And the wheels of a Juggernaut
crush out our hearts," added Mrs.
Graham, with a scornful, sweet laugh.
Does Mr.. Winthrop consider 1t al
ways wisest to think only Of the world
and not of Individuals"
The world includes individuals"
he said, coldly. Perhaps Mrs.
Graham forgets that"
Indeed, no." she answered. with a
slight shrug of her graceful shoulders
and that flashing smile upon her face.
But ruling the world with a set OF
laws that must be made to fit each
man, even though the man be crushed
to 60 into his place, is too mechanical
a piece of machinery for a world
where there are throbbing hearts and
infinitely strung souls, Mr.. Winthrop.
Too many hearts are stifed and
trample1 and broken in your steel
rules, that hold no place for a poet or
"a woman
Pardon me. There are men who
crush their own hearts in upholding
their standard Of honor, Mrs. Graham.
There are soldiers, accounted among
the bravest, who carry the army col
ors up to the fort in face Of death. Is
it impossible for men to do the same
in everyday business life? But 1 am
'remiss. Allow me to make iuy moth
er known to you, Mrs. Graham, and
nv ward. Miss Gray. l understand
that you have been abroad and just
returned"
Alecia acknowledged gracefully the
introduction, attracted, in spite Of her
scorn Of the man, toward the sweet,
peaceful woman at his side, In her
quiet gown and snowy hair.
I'VE have been abroad; yes" she
said, calmly. when one would be
free of old memories, Mr.. Winthrop,
one goes abroad that the ocean may
wash between. Strange, with this
faith in the efficacy Of change, that
the old memories remain. At least 1
find it So"
"Stir, there are people," said John
Winthrop, coldly, drawing with con-
Trajectory tenderness the soft white
shawl about his mothers shoulders as
she arose to return to the hotel, as the
bell was changing. There are people,
Mrs. Graham, who take peculiar pleas
ure in brooding over imaginary
wrongs until they change from form
less shadows to substance. 1t Is much
wiser to stand and fight back the
shadows into sunshine. is 1t notT'