The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-30
a Nopel.


before?-"how she must hate you.
Jack! l never believed you capable OF
hurting q woman"
There was fire under John Win
throp's reserve, too, and this waxing
woman was frightened at her worl;
when she saw the blaze In the dark
gray eyes under the heavy. meeting
brows, and a vivid flush cross his face,
leaving it still more pallid by contrast;
the stern lips set like steel lines under
the shrouding mustache. He clenched
his hand upon the table until 1t was
like q dead hand closed rigidly forever
upon some precious thing. How he
commanded his voice into even speak
ing she could never know. His very
self control startled her more than
open anger would have done.
women Judge for women" he said.
sternly. "and men for men. You know
too little Of the one or the other to
Judge. Jessica. You will be happier
II you learn from my mothers quiet
life rather than from novels. Because
a woman is beautiful outwardly does
not answer for her soul"
Still arguing away Alecia's influence!
Always setting her against these
strange happenings Of life!
"And there Is really no true beauty
without a white soul. Jessica," said
Mrs. Winthrop. gravely. Thee can
not Judge Johns hurt Of q woman. He
would harm no one who Is good"
But IL one is wicked and desires to
be good. and is still judged only be-
cause one is wicked how can you hope
for good results. Mamma Winthrop?
Maybe this girl, whoever she is. was
infected by the old tragedy atmosphere
lurking In Paris" suggested Jessica.
with q cold smile. "and believed that
she would do good by some Ill ven
geance, like Brutus. We women are
strange creatures. Jack. Men never
understand u.s."
Especially Miss Jessica Gray" said
John winthrop. resolutely fighting
down the fierce fire Ia his heart Il
gain fresh knowledge Of you every
day. Jessica."
You are such cynic that wonder
at your acknowledging even that.
Jack" she said. lightly. still indolent.
ly toying with her spoon. whenever
I hear Of you in the world. 1t Is that
you Iscorn women generally"
mo good. true woman" said Mrs.
Winthrop. with reused spirit. John
would scorn no one. Jessica. who is
worthy OF respect. Thee should choose
thy words more carefully. my dear"
And judge your guardian by his
treatment Of you. not Of women gen.
orally" added John. quietly, rising
from the table.
"But"-they were all risen now. and
Jessica. in her stately height. met lev
ely her guardians eyes coolly and
lazily-"if We 60 into society here.
Jack, are We not likely to meet this
girl? 1t would not be specially pleas.
ant. ! should think-for youw
The fame blazed and fiickered and
died in John Winthrop's eyes as he
answered her. but no other betraying
sign Of emotion could she detect even
with those alert eyes.
"As told you. Jessica, you are not
capable of judging for any one" he
said. coldly. There is no reason why
should shun Beatrice Field. ! have
done her no wrong-nor any one.
knowingly. / prefer that this subject
should end here"
"Oh. very well. AS you say" said
Jessica. lazily. with q shrug Of her
shoulders and a slight curve Of scorn
on the rose-leaf lips. "Only-I should
rather like to meet this girl. Jack. She
might sprinkle the spice into my Life
that I have so long lacked. 1t does
not matter. I am sure. otherwise. The
girl Is nothing to me!'
His lips shut tightly over this IN.
siDuation that the girl might be some
thing to him, but Jessica's face was
so impassive and indolent that he
turned away and left the room. utter.
ing no word Of acQuiescence or de-
NAL.
"But-we will seer' murmured Miss
Jessica, lounglng among the cushions
Of their carriage as they drove along
the Champ Elysees that afternoon. the
pale blue cushions harmonizing with
her own pale beauty. 50 that many
eyes were turned upon her from pass
ing carriages. sitting so carelessly op
pOsite the sweet old Quaker woman
with her placid face; the strong face
Of the man beside her strangely oui
OF place. as though two fires Of Ill were
set beside some nightly calm. I'VE
can wait. my dear guardian, II 90 We
win Learn; and then"
Il did not think" John was sayins
in quiet amusement, as he assisted hii
mother and ward to alight at theil
door. that my ward was such &
charming woman. OF course, being 4
woman. you did not fail TO note the
admiration bestowed upon you thh
afternoon. Jessica. Allow we to con
gratulate you"
You are kind" she said. languidly
ito compliment me so prettily. Jack.
thank yOu-
But. down IN her heart, she hat
learned that IL was only this one mar
whom she cared 10 please.
She could not know. however. though
she shrewdly guessed, how the word,
OF Beatrice Fieldrankled in John Win
threp's mind emitting deep into the tis
. | SnnS of his hoarf carnir ,ranniiu1. Ill