The Detroit times., 1913-05-28
CHAPTER TWENTY.THREE.
(oontlnusd.,
Copyright
The Bobbs-Merrill Co

am ds muCn luleTcsteu III Tux
others as | am in him." said Benson
quickly.
'Oh. no you amt, you don't give
more than a casual damn about the
others: | can tell you why you're
goingLno-you don't want me to.
Well, I'll tell you anyhow; she asked
you to- He shook his finger play
fully In Benson's face. "Oh. fe--fe
my dear young friend. and you would
have me think your motive purely
disinterested.
Benson shrugged his shoulders, and
said rather sternly:
I'm sorry you find il difficult TO
believe in my disinterestedness.
The captain closed one eye, he was
In a most peculiar mood
Not for a beautifully sane char
acter like you. Jake there's lake
down I'm Georgia that's six miles
across and four inches deep. but YOU
amt like that lake: there's good
deal OF your father in you. 1t wiz
come out one OF these days, and
when it does you will take the skin
right OF peoples backs, and you Will
do 1t without pang.
Thanks" said Benson.
Don't mention it," retorted the
captain airily. 1T amt worth while.
can't let you claim all the virtues,
something's due fallen humanity"
II have disposed of the tavern for
Julia" The lawyer was willing to
change the subject.
First the man OF sentiment. now
the man OF affairs" And Gibbs beam
ed upon him. How much will II
fetch?
-Four thousand dollars. have
brought the papers for Julia 10 sign.
The captain beamed upon him
afresh
That's good but before | forget
II want to tell you thing or two
that may of use to you. You don
quite like me yet, but you'll ike me
better when you know me better
and meantime | am going to serve
you in several ways. all touching this
mission of yours. | happen to know
q trader who Is Quitting for Fort
Bridger; am going to introduce you
to him and you can cross the plains
with him. Ny advice is that you be-
gin your search at Salt Lake; that
knife was purchased OF freighter
who was coming out, SO stephen must
have reached Salt Lake, or some point
near there. II he passed through the
city he must have the dealings with
the Mormons; you may find some one
who will remember him"
YES" said Benson, you are work
Ing II out just about as ! worked 1t
out am glad to have your opinion
he concluded frankly.
0Nr~, uo'l1 or IN tho hOusa and see
julia said Gibbs. 1T isn't far. and
then I'll take you to the tavern where
the trader / spoke OF Is stopping;
that's not far either"
To Benson, this meeting with his
cousin was an embarrassing ordeal
for she received him with an effusive
cordiality that was quite unexpected.
and to which he found 1t next TO i'm
possible to respond. but Gibbs came
at once to his rescue. He fell to ex-
planning the purpose that had brought
\ him west, and with a secret relish
and significance of manner that
made Bensons cheeks redden with
anger. Mrs. Gibbs. however, was, for
tunately, quite oblivious to his mean
ing, and his studied reiteration OF
Stephen Landray's name conveyed no
idea to her; she evidently accepted
I. her cousins mission at Its face value,
fact which only added to the cap
tain's amusement When Gibbs fin
ally subsidized, Benson quickly con-
7 cluded his business. and announced
that he was ready to go In search or
\ the trader.
Rodney, my dear explained the
\ captain.
'Such nice man, Jacob; I'll go,
too, and ask him to take the best OF
x care OF you said Mrs. Gibbs.
Benson entered feeble protest: he
was mainly concerned in wishing to
escape from this rascally pair. but
the captain cut his protest short by
y saying:
"Then hurry into your bonnet. Julia.
for Jake's got no time TO spare.
And presently they emerged upon
the street accompanied by Mrs.
Gibbs. respondent as to dress, and
I. a6ectionately leaning on the captains
arm, the very picture OF wifely de-
votion The moral sQualor OF the pair
moved Benson IL a disgust so deep
that ne found It necessary TO cloak
his sense of outraged decency In a
lofty silence
They found Rodney lodged at
small tavern near the outskirts OF
the city. To him Gibbs explained the
case, and introduced Benson and the
black browed trader professed him
SELF as delighted at the prospect OF
the latter's company.
when do you start?" asked Benson.
AT daybreak tomorrow" answered
Rodney
You'll need horse and arms"
said Gibbs. Well go buy them now,
and you'd better arrange to sleep
here tonight"
Indeed, he'll do nothing OF the
kind" expostulated Mrs. Gibbs.
my dear. I'm thinking only OF his
comfort" said the captain meekly.
Hell spend the evening with us.
And to this the helpless Benson yield.
ed q reluctant assent. but he saw an
end to the civilities they were thrust
ing upon him; this fact alone made
the situation tolerable.
Gibbs was a real help, however;
Y he knew the proprietor of q stockyard
4 who had for sale just such a horse
as Benson would require. and 10 this
a mans place Of business the three
4 now repaired. where the captain
Z drove sharp bargainA and secured
\ what afterward proved TO be a most
K ssrviceable animal; next he selected
. saddle and rife and two pistols,