The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-06-10

Ut TINES SDAY,
ment had been in battle. 1t was just
as IL you were the only one-as II
there were not thousands Of others;
The one disturbing element in Viz
ginias happiness was Stephens deyo-
ton 10 Marian Benson. Ii was little
short OF tragic that this sturdy. hand
some fellow should be determined 10
throw himself away on Tom Benson .
daughter. Her prejudice here she felt
was not altogether groundless. for Ben
son, at her request. has brought his
cousin 10 the farm 10 call; the meet
ing had not been very successful. how
ever, Marian had been embarrassed
and in al ease. and Virginia had not
been able To see in her al all what
| stephen saw. With this one tentative
attempt AZ an acquaintance her efforts
in that direction had ceased.
Stephen had been delighted when
he heard that Marian had driven out
10 see Virginia He heard this from
! Marian herself. Virginia had not men.
/ toned IT,
>Ihy YOU never said Marian had
! called" he told Virginia. almost re-
proachfully.-
Didn't /, DEAR" she asked drily.
NO. and Marian only CHANGED TO
mention II today. Didn't you think
her very pretty" he questioned Gag
erly. y
Yes. she Is certainly pretty.
! agreed Virginia, but without enthu-
| Siasm
The prettiest girl in Benson and
quite as nice as she is pretty,
WONDER you didn't tell me that she
had been here: | hope you'll see lots
or her, Aunt Virginia"
! You know. dear. I've quite gotten
ont OF the way OF meeting people"
His face clouded at this.
But I'm sure you'd like her moth
er. and Mr. Benson's a very superior
sort OF man. He showed me an inyen-
tion OF his today. rife: If he can get
II accepted by the government hel
make fortune It's certainly won
derful thing"
Virginia heard him in silence. and
Their abruptly changed the subject He
was puzzled. but rememberOi that
Marian had been equally reticent. He
decided that for some reason they had
not gotten on very well together, and
that the friendship which he had con-
| fdently looked for the moment they
met, was even further of than II they
had not met at all. But he took com
fort in the thought that when he and
! Marian were married the relation be.
tween her and Virginia would change
entirely: she would be OF the family
then. There was Harriet. a stranger
might have found il dihicult TO SAP
whether she was James daughter or
Nirginia's The latter seemed to feel
an equal interest in her with her
mother This was all SO character
istic OF his aunt, that he felt once
they were married. her love would go
out TO Marian in the same way
II was during the continuance OF his
Through that Virginia determined to
SCI the mill. II had taken Benson six
months to find a purchaser for the
property, but he WAS at last success
full; and Stephen drove Virginia into
town the day the deed was signed
You are satisfied to have the sale
made. Stephen" Benson inquired.
Certainly said the young man a
little defantly. the ready money is
better than the property"
~ dare say" responded the lawyer
| In the afternoon Benson drove to
the mill with the new owner. After
ward he strolled up to the house to
see Virginia.
II have just been going over the
accounts. she told him. a trifie rue
fully, and held up an inky forefnger
Il was aware that the sale Of the
mill would not do all you hoped It
| might: that ii would not clear OF the
debts even I can't bear to see you
continue this useless struggle; II
hurts me as nothing else has ever
hurt me- | am proposing nothing un-
usual men go to the aid Of other men
business Is not entirely a matter Of
calculation. sentiment does enter into
! it, | want 70 make this situation easy
FOR you: let me clear up those debt
then YOU can put this money In the
bank"
No" she said quietly.
| He left his chair and took a turn Of
the room
Have you forgotten what | once
told you, Virginia." he asked. pausing
and facing her
You were not to mention that to
me again"
| Have | spoken Of 1t only in words.
virginia." he asked.
You have been-most considerate
always she said guardedly.
(oontinusa.y