The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-06-20

...,a ms dioss might be snabpy and
neglected, but dissipation could never
do for him all that II had done for
Airing. his pride and his ideals meas
urably sustained him In his evil for
tune 4
"Nothings final. you know me
went on. II reckon there's still the
last word to be spoken on most top
les; and while I own I'm winded. II
amt going to be for long I've had
ups and downs before. and with hall
q chance it's In me to finish q win
ner This place has got on my
nerves, and it's not suiting my julia
either-it's on her nerves. too. Well.
never believe In evading the plain
facts in a case, and | know I'm not
just acting In way TO satisfy an
ambitious woman, and my Julia's got
her ambitions. You know what's
wrong. l don't need to go into that;
but ! will say this much for myself |:
dead and alive existence Is mighty
depressing to an active man such
as I've always been, who's had his
nose in large affairs. can't stay
here and 20 to seed: what's to hinder
us from pulling out together in the
spring? You can't leave before that
and 1t amt long to wait"
mo, can't 60 before spring,
Landray reluctantly agreed. unless
l can ind some one who will pay me
lump sum down on my contracts"
Virginia had written him, Begging
him to return to Benson, but he was
determined never to 80 back no mat
ter what happened. Later, Virginia
had asked him to send the child ia
her; but neither would he do this
His little son must remain with him
wherever he went Without the boy
he felt his own life would be quite
worthless; he felt. too. that Marian
would have wished him to decide a
he had decided.
The winter was of unexpected se
verify. but to Stephen this was one
OF Its lesser hardships. He Travelled
far in al weathers, not sparing him
cold and weary to his little son and
his c0mfortless home He saw the
haddle Of houses under q thousand
different aspects-against the red OF
the winter sky; when the swift twi.
light had fallen; by the cold moon.
which sent long black shadows
streaming out across the white un.
trodden snow: and he learned to
hate It all, az something animate
and personal that had made . wreck
Of his life.
There was no wefcome now for him
in the ragged rows of lights in those
uncurtained windows that overlooked
the streets Gibbs had named In the
very prodigality OF his patriotism
Sherman street, Fayragut street. Por-
ter avenue, Lincoln boulevard; he
only had his boy. his memory OF Ma
Ran, and his terrible loneliness for
|companions. Would the spring never
come. would the winter never lose its
hold on that frosen land. Sometimes
In sheer desperation he went down to
Gibbs and Airing at the Golden West
saloon, where the man of science.
when not drunk, played strategic
games Of checkers with the creditor;
and where the creditor mixed hot
Whistles for the man Of science; and
the frost bound loafers who still
called Grant City home, congregatsd
sparvely.
But 1t last the SHOWS melted from
the crests Of the ridges. patches Of
prairie sod became visible and spread
down the slopes, a. the sun crept back
day BY day toward ito summer SOL
stice. rp-
One raw spring day just 1t evep-
Ing, Stephen drove into Grant City.
II had been raining and he was wet
to the skin. but cold and chilled - he
was, his bronxed cheeks burned with
an unwonted color. while his dark
eyes were brilliant with IN unusual
light. He drove not to his homo but
straight to Gtbbss saloon. Hearing
him, the general came to the door.
"Hullo. Steve, want ms?" he said
cheerfully.
Can I get you to 60 to the house
with me, and put out my horse!
asked Landry. He spoke stifny over
the turned-up collar Of his coat. and
he was conscious that the words that
issued from his lips had an unfamiliar
sound; he scarcely. recognized hA
own voice.
why, what's the matter, Steve?"
demanded Gibbs In some surprise.
I'm not feeling just right. that's
ALL"
The general vanished from his open
door. but reappesred almost immedi'
ately with his hat.
"You Amt feeu4g right?" he ~
peated a. he climbed In beside Ian
dray. Whats wrong with you.
Steve?"
II seem to have taken cold" said
Stephen, still 1tif4y and thickly over
the upturned collar Of his coat. Il
want to get to bed ~ quick ~ pos
sible."
Il guess that's where you should
have been for the past hour" said
the general. surveying him critically.
'You amt got the least notion Of TAX
Ing care of yourself. Steve, you're do
ing yourself q rank injustice. expos
ing yourself this way"
When they drove In at the barn
Gibbs had to help him from the
buggy or he would have fallen TO the
ground; he led him TO q sheltered
spot, then he drove the horse In out
Of the rain and tied II.
"Ill come back and take out: but
hrst I'm going to get you to bed,
Steve" he said.
I'm afraid think I'm going to be
SICK" said Landray. and now his teeth
were chattering.
why. Steve. you're wringing wet"
cried Gibbs, placing an arm about
htc. en- onpnne< ht,vr ~ Ia ~