The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-23
CHAPTER XI.
(ContInued.l

C6APEEh M.
(Contlnuedl
I'VE have not yet met that hateful
Nr. Winthrop" she wrote one day to-
ward the end Of the second winter.
"You say his mother and Miss Gray
are still here, although the ogre him.
self Ii back at his grinding OF hearts!
Had we met him-or them-I assure
you It would have soured every drop
ef the sweetness In Partisan sugar
plums! He would turn even the Sweet
water River Of our Rockies into the
bitterness of Mnrah! It would be
wintry day when we met. Though he
were dying. I would not lift my hand
to save him! There Ia q rumor-de-
liciously faint-that an American fam
ily has arrived In Paris for q dying
glimpse Of sugar plums. II 1t Is he
-
She ended abruptly after q heavy
dash Of her pen:
''Your modern, Beatrice Cenci Field"
And Gregory Bensonhurst under
stood that II ever the opportunity
came for Beatrice Field to be kind to
John Winthrop. she would remember
what Alecia had suffered through him.
So far. however, nothing special had
occurred save AIarion's engagement to
q wealthy New Yorker who had fol-
lowed them to Europe and had won
her there; and Kathryn Franklin's en-
xagsment and innumerable Quarrels
and reconcIllations with an American
artist ip Rome. who often neglected
his studies to be with the charming
woman Of his choice.
But one morning Beatrice and Mrs.
Glendenning were shopping. They had
but Just left the Belle Jardiniere."
Beatrice was chatting delightedly Of
the beauties they had seen. when she
paused suddenly. grasping her COM
panion's arm with q stifled exclama-
ton.
An elderly woman. who left the gay
shop Just ahead Of them. had been
vainly striving to attract the atten-
tion of her .coachmap, who. engaged
IN Irritation with a pretty nursery
maid, seemed quite to have forgotten
his duty. He had driven up and down.
waiting for his mistress. and had
paused ON the opposite side Of the
street. Finding her effort in vain, the
woman attempted TO cross the street,
regardless Of the passing carriages.
and stumbling. would have fallen un-
der the hoofs OF an approaching team,
had not Beatrice sprung forward and
pulled her away and back upon the
pavement.
An officer close at hand started to
rescue her, but Beatrice had waited
f0r NO assistance. The coachman.
now aware of the neglect Of his duty.
was ut hand, and the girl assisted the
trembling woman into the carriage.
pausing q moment to learn II she
were comfortable ere she left her.
Then. rs Beatrice was turning away,
the lady in the carriage said. very
softly and sweetly. leaning forward.
one gentle. hand upon the light fingers
on the carriage door. the quaint Ian
guage she used sounding strangely on
the gay street:
Does thee mind giving me thy
name. my dear? 1t will be good to re-
member the name Of my brave friend
when ] think Of her"
Beatrice smiled. her eyes bright with
the swift touch Of tears at sound Of
this sweet home tongue. She bent her
head with half-shy grace. like child.
II am Beatrice Field" she said. soft
y, leaning nearer her new aequaint-
ance. forgetting. in the excitement Of
the moment. that Mrs. Giendepning
stil waited. from New York. We
start for home tomorrow. You are
quite comfortable now, madam? may
safely leave you:"
The answering smile on the sweet
old face was like q ray Of home love
and truth In that brilliant street.
Il am quite comfortable: yes. thank
thee. dear. mn Mary Winthrop. My
home In In the Berkshire Hills Of
America. II thee would give ME thy
address, my son John will wish to
thank thee for thy kindness TO his
mother. John Is a lawyer In thy New
York. too"
But Beatrice was suddenly with.
drawn from her frank cordiality. Re-
moving her hand from the carriage
door and from under the touch Of the
others soft fingers. as though a SER
pent had stuns her. she stepped back
upon the pavement, a scornful curve
on her lips, a world Of anger In tie
hazel eyes.
Il beg your pardon. madam" she
said. coldly; but II You viii tell your
soR for me that. had she known whom
she was saving. Beatrice Field. Alecia
Graham's sister. would not have lifted
her hand for you. scarcely think that
he will care to thank me. l bid you
good morning. madame"
And like q priestess Of vengeance
she turned away.
CHAPTER MI.
''rf WAS Sor sHE!" he SAT-.
well. girls!'
Beatrice Daused upou the threshold