The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-05-08

Poor little thing" said Alecia. kind
Is, with quick sympathy, as she rose
and crossed over to the girl, her hand
touching lightly the curly dark head
as she stopped and kissed the soft
check nearest her. Poor little thing.
1t is unkind to be unkind to you
And you're such dear~ whis-
pered Bess, impulaivcly. catching the
soft hand from her head and dragging
it down to her lips. You're such a
dear-and so beautiful. Mrs. Graham"
Lane Leland looked shamefully jeal-
Gus Of all this privilege, and Bess,
knowing this very we'll, even in her
fear could not resist being the least
bit wicked.
1T is so nice to have people COM
fort one instead Of teasing" added this
small tyrant, with her red lips and
great eyes and eloquent face lifted to
the beautiful woman above her, as
she held. the caressing hand between
her own two hands. 1T is so sweet
of you. Mrs. Graham, to understand
Just little me-"
Just Little Ne was wickedly under
standing of what was in her ioVers
heart. he had taunted her with being
cruel and forgetful. and. although she
needed his companionship and strength
TOO much to quarrel with him, she
could repay him for all sights most
cruelty.
Probably Mrs Graham understood
that quite as we'll as Miss Catherwood
herself. Anyway, she laughed as she
patted with her other hand the two
hands clasping hers ere she turned ana
resumed her seat
lust Little Me is charming child
she said, kindly and sweesly. Already
the storm is passing. Miss Catherwood.
You need fear no longer. The light
ming and thunder are still severe. but
they are too far away now TO harm
us. Be of good cheer, Just Little Me"
And here come the others" cried
Althea Dunraven, delightedly. Now
we will know what is the matter and
have them safe1'
IF they are safer supplemented
Constance Armitage, wickedly.
For Miss Armitage knew quite well
that George Priestly was one OF the
party in the storm, and that George
Priestly was More than a friend to
pretty Miss Dunraven. And Miss
Armitage could be trife spiteful,
too, because her fiance was camping
in the Adirondacks instead of board
ing at the Surf Hotel on Fire Island.
"Of course they're safe"' said Al
thea, Indignantly, a flush on her
pretty cheeks and her blue eyes shin
ing. Don't you suppose we would
have heard of it if anything had hap
pened? Bad news travels always
faster than good"
But Miss Armitage was saved the
necessity of replying to this con-
vincing remark by the entrance of the
drenched party into the hall, and the
prompt adjournment Of the parlor
group to learn what news they
brought. Sufficient news, indeed; and
the group that had shuddered in the
parlor, through the storm, felt uncom-
fortably small when compared with
these men who had passed through
so much in the midst Of it. What
heroes they made Of them! Crowded
about them in their pretty gowns, re-
) gardless Of the sea-water or the rain,
their bright eyes eloquently alive with
pride.
Il knew that you were brave" said
Alicia, very softly, with her hands
around her husbands arm and her
shining eyes upon. his, her lips half
trembling in spite of their smiling. For
they had told her Of his bravery, with
holding only his rescue of the man in
the cottage. Il couldn't be afraid,
Harold. l had such faith in your
And he was grateful in the inner
most depths of his soul, that he could
meet her eyes without shrinking with
guilt.
And I don't see why you couldn't
have gone with them and been brave.
too, instead Of staying safely in the
parlor," said cruel Miss Catherwood
petulantly, as she parted from Lane
Leland at the stairs, a few minutes
later, not even yielding him her hand.
CHAPTER V.