The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-09
JOHN WINTHROP'S DEFEAT.
a Nopsl.
JEAN KATE LUDLUl


)cNNE1t SoNss J1c.
mediate rest and freedom from care.
regular hours and cheerful company
and the abandonment Of all business
ut once.
She was quick to note the changes
Of voice or face. and there was some
thing under this mans qaiet words
that increased her fear.
The days passed into weeks-three
weeks-fuI Of anxiety for Alicia.
With her fears wakened by the physi-
clans words. she watched Harold I'M
observed. She forced herself to be
light OF heart and brilliant rs OF old:
she sang to him when he desired; or
read az he lay upon . couch. or was
silent She had always been true to
him and loving; but there came now
some deeper sense Of danger that
made her Irresistible. Her husband
watched her often IN wonder. For
she saw-even love could not blind her
that her husband was failing.
Not rapidly; not with any horrible
disease. but growing weaker and more
irritable and exacting; never ut rest
anywhere; his black eyes, always few
erishly bright now. sometimes fast
ened upon her face with a half.vacant
stare that made her heart sink. and
sick.
Until one day when three weeks
were gone. Harold Graham knew lit
tie and cared less for what was pass
ipg around him as he lay in q stupor
born of the fever In his brain. He had
no strength to resist this fever. the
physician said, when summoned to at
tend him. They were back In San
Francisco and had the best physicians
In the city.
For three days and nights Harold
knew no one. lying in a stupor most
Of the time. Complete prostration the
physicians said. and they scarcely had
need to say it
Then-came the end.
To every one save Alecia this end
had been expected: to her 1t came like
a blow. They told her that her hus-
band was very Ill at the beginning;
but when they told her that there was
NO longer hope Of his recovery. that
she must prepare herself for the
worst, not q word did she utter. not
cry crossed her lips; but with her
eyes lifted to them In a terror that
was the concentration Of weary weeks
Of fear and watching, she sank at
their feet in an unconscionsneGs as ut.
ter almost as that approaching silence
In the room above.
With the tenderest pity they raised
her and restored her to consciousness.
but 1t was long before she was able to
20 to her husband. Her eyes were
steady and sweet rs they met his In.
stantly upon entering the room. Her
face was pale, hut the smile that
lighted It for him was the old radiant
smile that had come to him like the
thought Of an angel across the wild
waste Of waters when the demon
struggled in his heart He thought Of
1t. meeting her eyes. for he was thor
oughly conscious, and his mind
strangely clear. BE thought Of 1t. but
Il brought no pafn; for pain seemed
to have gone utterly from his life. and
only an unaccotntable peace to have
come to him.
Still too weak for independent
movement, he tried to stretch his hand
to hers. q sloH. faint glimmer OF smil.
ing answering hers; and going to him.
not quiver Of her face or voice. she
knelt beside the bed. and taking one
Of his hands In hers, laid the other ten
DERBY about him. her face upon the
pillow close to his.
Harold. dearest" she said, very
sweetly, very low. you are better
now? It is good to see you yourself
and know that Jon recognize Alicia
again. I have been 10 yery lonely
without you!"
An ineffable tenderness came upon
his face. 1t was as though life, fad
ing. proved why life was given and
taken-its pathos and trials and sweet
ness crowded into one moments space.
He was intensely weak. but his mind
was clear. When he spoke hie voice
was SO indistinct that she nestled her
cheek softly and tenderly closer to his,
that she might not lose the words.
The mad beating and rebellion Of her
heart he did not know.
Poor little girl!' he said, family.
"What q good. true. brave wife you
have been to me when many women
would have been-dicerent! How can
leave You. my deafest-here In q
strange city. with no one but strang-
ers to comfort you! For am not de-
ceived. Alecia. This strange clear
ness Of mind and the absence Of pain
are the end. My life might have been
braver. more true. perhaps; but some
way everything is falling into peace.
can wish nothing save that ! might
have left you among those who love
you. 1t is hard to die-who knows? I
suffer no pain. Your courage gives
me courage and hope. But-presenty
you will 90 home. dearest. and there
will come-this peace also to you
and the old wounds will heal"
His voice died out. but still tender
ly and steadfastly her fingers held his.
and her cheek pressed lightly the pill
low scarce whittier than the lighted
face.
1T was cruel to keep You here" he
added presently. his voice scarcely u
whisper. with the fading life. II
knew that you-longed-for the old