The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-03-26
CHAPTER VII.
UNDER LIGHT WORDS.


Pretty Miss Catherwood was crying
Not in will grief. but very softly. as
though It w[re q flower she had lost
or some pet bird. like the fond
thoughtless child-woman she was
She sat upon the sands. just at the
bend In the beach that shut her on
from the hotel and pavilion and the
bathers in the surf. Her red lips were
auivering with grief. but very kissable
still, and although weeping had some
what flushed the delicate face. she
was more fair than Aphrodite OF
Ariadne-said Lane Leland. discover
Ing her. standing on the sandhill above
her.
sweetheart he said. going softly
down to her and kneelipg upon one
knee ut her side-they were alone
what has happened that you are here
like this, ana 50 sad? Let me shar:
your sorrow, whatever it may be. and
SO tighten it for you"
Like q startled child. her black eyes
were raised to his face. and then the
hands were unclasped from around
her knees and covered her face, and
| In the first moment Of companionshiT
she sobbed very pitifully, her head
upon his shoulder where he had drawn
1t. Then, the woman conquering the
child, she withdrew herself from his
embrace. winking very hard and fas,
to shake the trace Of tears from her
lashes and smoothing her rumpled
hair.
1T is so very. very hard, this blow
upon Mrs. Graham. Lane! She Is SO
sweet and 50 brave! ! loved her.
just could not help it, when she ":
here; and ! think, think she liked me
a little! I want to so to her. Lane
and comfort her. and let her know
that I do care for her friendship. She
seemed to think that would not care
for it after that day"
why not write to her" suggested
Lane. gently. never quite certain OF
pleasing this small tyrant Of his
Then you can 80 to her when 1t y
possible. Bess. DEAR
But Miss Bess did not see 1t In that
light.
THAT wouldn't do at all. Lane" she
protested. pokins the sand busily into
q tiny heap with the toe Of one boot
Il shall so to her this very day. TIE
morning steamer has gone, know
but Mr.. Priestly will take me across
In the Banjo-that was her favoritt
boat, too. Lane-and l shall remain
with Aunt Wright over night In tie
city. She will be glad to have me
in her loneliness. Poor. beautiful Mrs
Graham
And who will so with you to the
city. Bess:"
The great eyes turned upon hin
were the old saucy black eyes now.
"As though l am incapable Of trav
cling alone" she said. scornfully. ~.
the nineteenth century. too! scarce
ly think any bears will eat me. Sil
Galahad.'
WELL" said her lover, with lover.
foolish fondness. you are swee,
enough to eat. Miss Independence. ant
will not allow you to travel alone
Pray. where Is your chaperon:"
Mrs. Ellis! She will remain here
Of course. 10 welcome me upon my
return. f:ke the prodigal daughter
Blue Beard. l am going in Mt once tt
dress. I only came out here to have
my little mourn before I started, ant
you must follow me even here. Thinl
Of the whole long day o: my absence
and be ve:y nice to me while ! IN
here, NJ Lane
Il shall think Of nothing Of the
Sort" he retorted cOolly. Il am goin;
to the CITY myself this morning to Sc,
Graham. There Is room t-ough In tn,
Banjo for IN extra passenger. ant
Mrs. Ellis will give sou into III,
charge until Land you over to Mrs
Graham. This blow upon them Il
very heavy. Who would have though
1t Of such q man? Solid as 4 brici:
everybody said. But his wife has ;
fortune in her own right. you know
That is better th..u total loss"
1t was Alecia's wish that no one ex
cept those obliged to know shoult
learn OF her loss OF fortune: and hel
husband. seeing that 1t was hear
wish. yielded TO her. So even thei
most intimate frienC3 did not know
the extent Of their reverses.