The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-03-05
CHAPTER III.
BRRAEEIs.


a. twilight deepeped to night. and
gathering to itself the lower vapors.
came along the nearer heavens until
q was q mass Of midnight swallowing
up the stars. the moon. the heavens.
There was fire In Its midst, and thun-
der that rolled in vaster volumes,
eumbllng like yulcan's hammer-echoes.
Destruction rode fiotously in Its heart.
It was food tide at midnight, and as
the waters best higher and higher up
the sands and throbbed like some great
heart against the pier. the anchored
boats lifting and falling and tossing
like living things upon 1t. the black
vapors overhead. overcharged. broke
upon the world beneath In torrent Of
wind and rain, shot through and
through with lightning tongues.
Most Of the guests at the Surf Hotel
were awakened by the storm. and
many Of them made hasty toilets and
gathercd In the parlor for companion
ship. Alecia Graham had not fallen
asleep. and. at the first sound Of thun.
der. rose very softly not to rouse her
husband, and donning loose wrapper
of pale silk, she seated herself at the
window to watch the breaking Of the
storm.
The clouds had not yet swallowed
the moon. which was riding the heav.
ems like some witch at strike with the
elements Of an internal world. the hur-
ryipg scuds blown from the greater
mass Of cloud whirling across her face
and fleeing away. tearing at her, faunt.
ing beside her. yet ever growing larger
and more dense IN the warship Of the
storm advanced up the sea Of heaven.
On the sands below, just visible now
and then beyond the sand.hills. as the
moon conquered the scuds. the white
surf cleaned ghostily. rank upon rank.
The woman at the window, In her
trailing silken gown. sat fascinated.
with her hands clasped upon the ledge
before her. her face Illuminated or dark
ened by the shining or dimming Of the
moon. There was no Gear in her heart.
only deep awe and namely something
Ike the touch Of heavenly spirit. She
was unconscious that her husband had
Weakened and was watching her under
his half-ciosed lids. She was uncon.
sclous that she was an inspiration to
him. or that the bitterness Of his soul
was touched BY the sweetness Of her
presence. Like the true woman she
was. she was thinking OF him. not Of
herself. She loved him. aud knew that
he suffered intensely because Of the
trouble fallen upon him. He was so
proud and loved luxury SO thoroughly
that failure was worse than death.
But she knew. also. that he was too
noble and too manly to seek death for
relief, as many might.
Presently. in lull in the thunder. he
addressed her:
"AlecIaw he said. quietly.
She turned 70 him ut once. Even in
The darkness be knew that she was
smiling upon him.
"You are awake. Harold? What q
terrible storm this is!"
"Yes," he replied. waiting until an
other thunder-peal died away, leaving
the world strangely still. save for the
roar Of the surf. Terrible. Alicia. es.
pecially for any vessel unfortunate
enough to be upon the water u. re
pared"
Once more she turned to the window.
looking across the black sand-hills to
the invisible roaring surf.
II had not thought Of thai" she said,
m anxious note In her voice.
.You need not worry about II. dear.
he said, gently. catching this troubled
tone. -rhe coast-suard are able fel'
lows"
A distant report Of firearms inter
rupted him. and brought Alecia to her
feet. He also started up and began
hastily dressiag.
'Some boat III distress" he said hur'
riedly. "a pleasure or fishing boat,
proba ably, for that was rife-shot. 4
steamship would fire heavy guns and
send up rockets"
"What are you going to do. Harold?
Come" he said" We will 80 down
stairs, Alecia. and iearn II there is dan
Ger. II may be nothing. / have fright
eneG you, dearest"
He held the door open for her to pass
through, and reached out his hand to
her a. she crossed the room from the
window.
-It may only be some signal from