The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-26
saw so-wnen I ask her. 1 haven't

say so-wlen ask her. haven't
asked her yet~
He continued exceedingly wrathful
during his toilet; and went down to
dinner fully determined to have no
more to do with such wicked CO.
ouette, but to fall in love directly with
Anita Grant!
The tables were as lively as usual
with bright eyes and wit and laughter.
mingled with the clatter of dishes and
the distant thunder of the surf across
the sand-hills. For who among them
could believe that brilliant Alicia Gra-
ham and her handsome husband, live
liest of them all, hid wolf under their
cloak Of pride, and would vanish out
Of that gay world as star that falls
with a fash of light into darkness and
oblivion. For not one of them saw the
anxiety under light laughter. The
cry Of the ocean should be drowned in
gayety; the beat Of happy hearts
should defy the beat Of breakers!
Moonlight was over the world; the
stars were steadfast; the sea lake Of
molten silver breaking to glistenipg
fragments along the sands. Time
enough to be terrified when the storm
should break!
1--WE will bear our sorrows, Harold"
Alecia said, slowly and bravely, as she
sat in a low chair by the open win
dow of their room, some time later.
facing the ocean. Because trouble
has come to US, is no reason why we
should lay it upon others. Besides"
she turned for a moment from the ex-
quisite world without to smile upon
her husband. leaning back in his chair
with his hands clasped behind his head
and his eyes seeing nothing before
him" -"beside, it helps one wonderfully
to laugh when things 60 contrary. I
feel a great deal stronger for to-mor-
row, aft.r the music and happiness
down stairs. One is ashamed to be
gloomy, you know, when every one
else is bright, and so one has to polish
ones face and voice and manner until
the shine Is sort Of rubbed in, you see"
Her husband made no reply. She
expected none, and turned again to
the window and the shimmering sill
yer sea, the round moon riding roy
ally in the upper ocean; only a soli-
tary sail in the far distance struck
into shadow as it sailed away. She
clasped her hands around her knees,
her hair let down about her shoulders,
and nodded sturdily.
Still no reply. Still she expected
none. The solitary sail down on the
horizon had turned, and the moon
light struck it into gold. Her eyes
were upon it.
Il shall 90 with you to the city in
the morning, if you will take me,
Harold" she said, presently. The sail
was out of sight. Before her, beyond
the low sand-hills, was only that great
vast waste of silver. with path along
it that looked fashioned for heav-
emily road. The moonlight was full
in her face. There need be. no ex-
cuse to these people. We have few
friends here. Business calling you
away is all that we will need to ex-
plain, and I go with you from choice.
What is 1t to them? Together we can
arrange our actions far better than
apart, when we know the worst, and
begin the new life. You have so many
friends"
Her husband interrupted her now.
He took down his hands from behind
his head and leaned forward, his ell
bows upon his knees, his eyes upon her
face, as he answered slowly, striking
one hand lightly with the other to
emphasize his words. She turned her
face to his, waiting.
Even yet you do not comprehend
this thing, Alicia! You would soften
the blow for me, but instead of doing
so, you make it infinitely harder, be-
cause you force me to explain added
humiliation. 1 have many friends
yes-to-day. Tomorrow there is not
one will help me. When the thing is
known, and that my liabilities far
exceed my power to meet them, every
one will clamor for his due. Not one
Of my creditors will allow me to COM
promise or again enter business. I
should not, if they would! l could not
endure to feel that what should gain
would be swallowed up ere it were
mine. I could not endure to meet
these men every day. I hate every
one Of them; l hate myself more. When
all is over. We will go away, and be-
gin life in new city. 1 have decided
that. California is an open field for
one who is ambitious. We will 60
there. In a new country l will make
a new name. Never here"
The slim fingers around her knees
tightened their hold. The red lips
pressed down one upon another for
moment. The violet eyes dilated ere
her emotion was conquered. Then
she said very softly and sweetly, her
voice like music through the room.
note of the seas deeper undertone
touching it:
Go be continued)