The Detroit times., 1913-06-05
CHAPTER TWENTY.EI0HT.
Continued

I'VE might very easily induce MI
4 stark to advance more money! ne
ventured tentatively. but Virginia
y shook her head
mo, | am afraid OF debt: and II Is
not only my own means. II Is Steph-
ems start in life that would be IN
volved. | must exercise greater
economy"
MY dear Mrs. Landray. that IS
quite out OF the question. unless You
deny yourself in ways | cannot even
q bear to think Of!
Virginia did not seem 10 hear him,
and the tone that had unconsciousiy
I crept into his voice, escaped her no.
tice. He could only guess at the need
less self-denials she might practice. IN
X spired BY her love and sense OF duty!
She was too fine for that sort OF thing,
she had always seemed TO him 10
adorn the easy circumstances Tor
which the Landrays had been famous.
II had not been great wealth. perhaps,
but In that new country II had been
riches; since relatively, little money
purchased so much.
III you will allow me"-he hesitat.
ed, and then continued-"to advance
what money you need. II will give me
the greatest pleasure
You are very kind" she said; II
Was plain she was rather surprised
at the ofYer.,
Il don't mean that you are to sign
any more notes." he hastily explained
but 1t hurts me To think that you
may be limited In any way. II can
stand as a personal debt that some
& day you will repay when the other
matters have been settled. I assure
you Il will give me great pleasure 10
aid you," he finished warmly, but Vir-
ginia turned to him with the question !:
mr.. Benson. please tell me one
thing, when you went West for me,
\ who bore that expense? Did you"
"Yes, Mrs. Landray:" nut the ad-
mission was made with reluctance.
1T never occurred to me until this
moment that that was possible. 1t
has not been returned to your
But Il has not been my wish that
Il should be-" he rejoined quickly
II wish you had told me OF this be-
\ fore!" she continued little reproach-
fully.
Why" he asked
ut might have been easier"
Nonsense. Mrs. Landray. To tell
4 you the truth had forgotten all about
It."
But when the estate was settled.
should 1t not have gone In with the
other claims?"
It's not debt In that sense; please
don't place me In the position OF q
CREDITOR
Virginia wished to do him full jus
tice. yet she rather resented that she
! had not known OF this before. His 81
lence was a mistaken kindness; for
had he spoken sooner. Anna would
have met her share of this debt. With
the feeling she had Of the melting
away Of the fortune. this even was .
matter Of some moment Benson.
4 watching her narrowly, conjectured
much OF what was passing In her
mind.
LET US dismiss the whole matter"
he said. II wish | had not told you.
Il 10 quite unimportant."
u fear | have never quite aPpreci.
4 ated the full extent OF your kindness"
che said. nor how fond you were OF
Stephen. your friendship for him.
Z must have seemed very unreasonable
70 you in many ways. at first"
N Benson was silent. He feared 10
speak. He felt he could not continue
IN the false position in which she was
& placing him.
You will let me return what you
4 have expended" Virginia continued.
DO you find the obligation SO irk.
\ some - he asked. with Z touch Of ex-
asperation in his tone
ANY obligation must be irksome
81 ~ t. L. 10
y r to be met
But you see that it has not wor-
y Red me-
"Yot are too kind to let 1t. too gen.
erous in your feeling"
NO. he said. with sudden deliber-
alton, Il am not go generous as you
think. wanted you to know that
3 Was your friend. As your friend. all
K that could do was a privilege;
Y gained more than | gave"
Instinctively she drew back at the
3 turn the conversation had taken. Her
glance ~ It sought his face. lost some.
a thing Of its former frankness, but she
had not been alarmed by anything he
had said, for his meaning was still re-
q mote from his words; and she was SO
unauspicious Of him, had come so 20
regard him only as her dead husbands
friend; and measured by the standard
set by her. own love. IL was not
strange that Stephen should have in
spired such friendship. or that IL
should extend in some lesser degree
even to her; indeed. II was the most
natural thing In the world.
But Benson had noted the subtle al
iteration In her manner, no change
there ever escaped him: he felt that
he had betrayed his secret.
Friendship has its limitations. that
II the unfortunate thing about ii. 1t
Y 10 not like---not like other things. he
finished abruptly.
She looked up quickly into his face;
and what she saw there, caused her
steady glance to waver. Her eyes
fell. Perhaps she had not understood !:
& perhaps--but her cheeks colored. not
with resentment. but with shame. at
4 the thought that had laid hold of her
z She rose from her chair, with all that
\ dignity Of manner in the presence of
which he was wont TO stand abashed
and silent.
II have offended you" he said
Please let me explain
There 10 nothing TO explain, yov
only meant to be kind, to spare me-
:Oh, not that" he cried. with sud
den recklessness. THAT shall be al