The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-05-14
-sfrs. Graham is kind" he said. hia

Mrs. Graham is kind" he said. I'M
voice as steady and cold as Alecia's
for his will mastered any heart pain
"to credit me with the softness Of
noet-or a woman. But she over
praises me! I am here solely on ae
count Of my mother and Miss Gray"
And the less one possesses OF thh
softness belonging to poets-and WON
en-the surer Is one given high seat
in the counsel chambers. Is 1t not so
Mr.. Winthrop?"
The lines about his mouth were
stern. and dagser-points were In hh
eyes.
The more unbiased judgment there
is the more certain will the wheels OF
the world run evenly - yes. Mrs
Graham" he said.
And the wheels Of Juggernau'
crush out our hearts" added Mrs
Graham, with a scornful. sweet laugh
Does Mr.. Winthrop consider 1t al
ways wisest to think only Of the w'orle
and not Of Individuals"
The world includes individuals
he said, coldly. Perhaps Mrs
Graham forgets that"
Indeed. no." she answered. with 8
slight shrug Of her graceful shoulder
and that flashing smile upon her face
But ruling the world with q set o!
laws that must be made to fit eacf
man, even though the man be crushed
to 60 into his place. is too mechanical
a piece Of machinery for a wor!c
where there are throbbing hearts anc
infinitely strung souls, Mr.. Winthrop
Too many hearts are stiied ane
trampled and broken in your stee
rules, that hold NO place for poet o.
"A woman"
Pardon me. There are men who
crush their own hearts in upholdine
their standard of honor, Mrs. Graham
There are soldiers, accounted among
the bravest. who carry the army col
ors I'D to the fort In face Of death. II
1t impossible for men to do the same
in everyday business life? But / an
remiss. Allow me to make my moth
er known to you. Mrs. Graham. ane
my ward. Miss Gray. / understand
that you have been abroad and 5usi
returned"
Alicia acknowledged gracefully thu
introduction. attracted. In spite of he'
scorn of the man, toward the sweet
peaceful woman at his side. In he,
quiet gown and snowy hair.
I'VE have been abroad; yes" sht
said. calmly. "When one would b'
free of old memories, Mr.. Winthrop
one goes abroad that the ocean may
wash between. Strange. with Till
faith In the efficacy Of change. thai
the old memories remain. At least
find 1t So"
"Still. there are people" said John
Winthrop. coldly. drawing with con
Trajectory tenderness the soft white
shawl about his mothers shoulders ai
she arose to return to the hotel. as thu
bell was Changing. There are people
Mrs. Graham, who take peculiar pleas
ure In brooding over imaginary
wrongs until they change from form
less shadows to substance. 1t Is much
wiser to stand and fight back the
shadows into sunshine. Is It not?"
Nevertheless" that old brillian:
tightening smile upon her face. some
times the brightest sunshine makes
deepest shadows, Mr.. Winthrop. Tha,
10 a natural phenomenon. think
Nature and life are much the same
looked at from a philosophers stand
point. Do you not agree with me
Mrs. Winthrop
But thee must know" said Mrs
Winthrop. very gently. drawn toward
this beautiful woman in spite Of the
memory Of the fierce words spoken b,
Beatrice Field that day in Paris. THAI
this natural phenomenon proves tht
wisdom, Mrs. Graham. that contrast
ed light and shadow make life's artist
pictures. And thee must also KNOW
that light Is the better coming out o,
shadow"
Perhaps, though" said Jessica
Gray. indolently, Mrs. Graham would
have no shadows. only sunlight Nam
ma Winthrop. That is what Jacks
speech implies as his wish. For my
part. I say. let Us take whatever
comes-especially dinner"
Miss Catherwood laughed merrily
The scene she had feared was at last
over. There had been sharp words
Of course. there must be. but nothing
SO very terrible. and her light heart
promised that even this hardness be-
tween the two would pass with all
hard things Of life. as time should
soften the hurt.
(To be cont!nued)