The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-26
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81 ~ JOHN WINTHR0P'S DEFEAT.
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JEAN KATE LUDLUM.
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JEAN KATE LUDLUM.
pYa1eHT, ROBERT BoNNER's SoSs, 1899.

KATE LUDLUM..
oNNER's soSs, 1881
Undoubtedly that is solid, and could
carry them over even deeper sloughs
than could come to him with the worst
of failures"
Considerably cheered by this con-
clusion, the two passed out upon the
ocean side of the piazza.
Just then, pretty Miss Bess Gather
wood was Querying as she leaned BE-
side one of the posts of the pier, her
black eyes wicked with the merry
heart beneath:
"You look so wrathful, Mr.. Leland.
What was the matter in the city, that
YOU came out with such an air!'
She was one of the sailing-party,
and was tarrying to watch the sunset
effects upon the water, and the fash
ing out of the lighthouse lamps ere
she went in to dress for dinner. Pretty
Miss Catherwood was inclined to be
late and never in hurry; but what
could one urge against this element Of
character, when she declared that life
was altogether too short, anyway.
"And you are so cool and charm
ing, that I am already rested" said
Leland, smiling.
She was such a charming woman,
and so pretty in her dainty buff-and-
blue boating dress, with the blue an
chor upon her breast and her tip
tilted cap atop Of the curly black hair,
her yellow ties with their blue rib
bons, one white hand twirling the buff
parasol with its great blue bow Of rib
bon, round and round just over one
spot in the boards o. the pier.
"On, dear! Always pretty words!
Why don't you say righ. out you arc
as mad as mad can be, Mr.. Leland?
I'll let you.'
He laughed, taking the restless par
asol from her hand as tenderly rs
though it were worth it's weight in
gold. He was in love with wicked
little Bess Catherwood, as that young
lady knew quite well. She used this
knowledge to his dire disadvantage,
too, very often.
Because" he made reply, 81 am not
mad any longer. l am happy, Mis-
Catherwood."
"Well," she eyed him critically, not
ninching from his eloquent eyes. Il
believe you do look better-natured,
Mr.. Leland. You came out with Mr..
Graham, didn't you? What a hand
some man he is! I don't wonder that
his wife .dores him. And the love-
", lovely things he lavishes on her
the dresses and diamonds-such
dresses and such hats? I don't see
why he didn't fall in love with me in
stead of Alicia Field. I'd have been
so dreadfully glad to marry him-ftr
his money"
Leland frowned. If he were happy,
as he had just protested, his looks
belied it. He possessed considerable
of this worlds good things, but 1t
would not be possible for him to Law
ish "such dresses and such hats"
upon his wife, when he should marry,
as Harold Graham showered upon
Alicia. Tormenting Miss Catherwood
was forever declaring she would nev-
er, never, never marry without unlim-
tied wealth.
"But suppose that you should hap
pen to marry q man who lost his
money-every eent-afterward. What,
then, Miss Catherwood"
She puckered up her brows and
opened wide her eyes bewilderingly.
She screwed her pretty red mouth into
an emphatic protest.
''Oh, but he wouldn't, you know, Mr..
Leland! He never could. I'd make
him solemnly promise that he would
not. Because"-shc uttered the words
with very pretty deliberation-"if he
should, would hate him. Why, Of
course I'd hate him. I couldn't help
it," she added, as though the enormity
of any other conclusion were beyond her
power of comprehension. And in the
meantime, as the sunset is gone and
it is late, must go in and dress for
dinner. I'll get not norsel if I am
too late"
Lane Leland smiled, in spite of his
anger. He was always either very
happy or very miserable with this
girl. He loitered beside her as they
walked up the pier, still carrying the
furled parasol, with its knot Of broad
ribbon. They were the last OF the
idlers upon the pier, for it wanted but
a few minutes Of the dinner-hour, and
the light was revolving in the tower
out to westward, and only the ten
derness of twilight touched the sand
and sea and Sky beyond that line Of
sullen cloud. The world was so
peaceful how could ones heart retain
tumult?
AFTER dinner, will you go with me
to watch the moonrise upon the sands,
Miss Catherwood? I have something
that wish to tell you-something that
l must say tonight" said Lane, as
they paused at the foct Of the stair
case.
A slight flush was upon his face.
Miss Catherwood knew quite well
what it was he would say; and it
would be a pleasant story for her to
hear-she knew that, too; but wicked
Miss Catherwood could not live with
out teasing even those whom she
loved, and she could not refrain from
tormenting this man.
After dinnerw How slow and soft