The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-05-29

dearest"
And she repeated this assurance to
herself over and over, fighting to be
brave, fighting to hide her own sad
ness. No one knew how she fought for
that, unbetrayed in her comforting
words and strong faith. So the swift
days of the week went by, and the day
Iof departure was come, and Harold
iGraham and his wife were booked as
passengers upon q Pacific Mail steam
ship bound for Aspinwall en- their way
to California.
at is scarcely yet time for autumn
storms" said Alicia, arguing down the
fears of their friends, land the sea
change will be excellent for Harold. I
have no fear Of the water, you know.
One grows to love it as one loves the
hills as one gains confidence"
But l could never, never gain conf
dence," protested Miss Bess Gather
wood, emphatically. She was home
from Fire Island and on deck, Of
course, to bid godspeed to her friends.
Besides" added Alicia, smiling. her
eyes upon her husbands haggard face
and feverish eyes-alert always for
his comforting-"we will SO enter by
way Of the Golden Gate into the city;
that augurs we'll for us, you see. One
comes to watch for any chance good
when there is need, Miss Catherwood."
You will not forget to write regu-
larly to us ALL" urged Cora, fearful at
the last. as she clung for moment
about Alecia's neck.
II will not forget" said Alicia, her
own eyes not clear of tears. lis it like
ly that should, Cora?"
NO." said Cora, with sudden inner
conviction that parting was, after all,
more to her sister than she would ac-
knowledge mo! Goodbye, Alicia.
Goodbye, Harold. Bon voyage! Bon
voyage"
Goodbye" said Alicia steadily-it
seemed to her at times that she was
growing incapable Of showing emotion,
from her constant struggle to master
whatever was trying to others-her
hands upon her husbands arm as their
friends left them and the great ship
weighed anchor and bore them slowly
away to the new life, her face turned
to them, watching them away. her
handkerchief answering the flutter Of
handkerchiefs from those left behind
in the home city.
"And now," she added, by and by,
as the bay lay before them and the
ocean stretched ahead, the hustle on
deck proving that in truth they were
sailing away from all that was dear
to new life-"and now, Harold, we
must live for God and each other and
have no fear"
"You are my life's angel" he said,
under his breath, but with feverish ye-
'hemence. There can but good come
to me with you, even remembering
what 1 have brought upon you"
One or two Of the passengers prom
enading the deck. watching the sunset,
turned to look after her as they passed
by. One hand was upon his arm, the
other rested lightly upon the rail.
II refuse to hear aay word against
my husband" she said, calmly. The
Golden Gate for which we are bound
may open pleasant lands for us, Har-
old. The flowers Of the West are still
sweet, though the Eastern gardens
fall Remember that, dearest"
"And it shall be sou said Harold
Graham presently, with stern deter
mination. Though Palmer Earle
would grind me to the last for his
debt, yet I will rise against him
against all that would oppose me-and
gain fortune and give you your old
lhxuries, and laugh at them. Aecia.
/ will not be put down! wiz show
them that Harold Graham's pride and
ambition match even those of Palmer
Earlew
"But Mr.. Earle was not so much to
blame as his counsel, Harold" said
Alicia, her eyes upon the sunset heav.
ems beyond the water and the receding
land. "AIr. Earle was willing to COM
promise the matter, but Mr.. Winthrop
considered it unwise. 1 think them
both just men,"
What have to do with them," said
her husband, turning upon her SUD
denly and fercely, lin our new life,
Alicia? 1 shall prove my honor and
my pride against their any day. There
is no guilt upon me-"
And then silence came upon him and
his eyes turned from her face, for, like
q black letter upon snowy page stood
vividly out the struggle in that night