The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-06-26

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"A II lsRzszssss szszs go,
\ ~ JOHN WlNTHROP'S DEFEAT,
SEE--eE Nope.
JEAN KATE LUDLUM
T, ROBERT BoSNER,s Snyr. ISna
4 Nopcl.
JEAN KATE LUDLUM

to-day. NO time Ike VIC present. YOU
know, Jessica," he added, smiling. His
smile was always good 10 see. Now
1t quickened to a brighter glow tina;
demon spark in Jessica's eyes. "Ana
you must promise me, mother, never
again to attempt shopping without
comDanionship. Even ycur wonderfui
Bon Marche' or the Belle Jardinicrc'
or those shops of the Louvre might
prove snares for you. shall never
feel secure about you, unless one of
US Is with you
81 promise thee" said Mrs. Win
fhrop, smiling. always pleased at hi
evident affection and care. Il will no
again venture alone, John" :
Some one anyway. to guard you,"
added John, kindly.
But, then," the lurking devil had
crept into Jessica's slow. soft voice
though she toyed indolently with the
spoon balanced upon her coffee-cup
her eyes from under their lashes on
his face. "But, then, there was the
Jack. Her speech was something like
the speech Of heroine in a novel
when the hero is in question. How
insolent she must be to have uttered
such words to our dear Mamma Win
throp. Or else-"was there ever suc,l
another slow, even, exasperating voice
before?-"how she must hate You,
Jack! I never believed you capable If
hurting woman"
There was fire under John VIII
throp's reserve, too, and this waking
woman was frightened at her wo:k
when she saw the blaze in the dark
gray eyes under the heavy. meeting
brows, and vivid flush cross his ia, ,e,
leaving it still more pallid by contrast;
the stern lips set like steel lines under
the shrouding mustache. He clenclied
his hand upon the table until it was
like a 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
if you learn from my mothers quiet
life rather than from novels. Because
4 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 white soul, Jessica," said
Mrs. Winthrop, gravely. "Thee cam
not judge Johns hurt of a woman. He
would harm no one who is good"
"But If 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 a cold smile, "and believed that
she would do good by some i'll 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 in his heart. II
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, it Is that
you scorn 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 go into society here,
Jack, are we not likely to meet this
girl? 1t would not be specially pleas
ant, should think-for your
The fame blazed and fickered 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