The Detroit times., 1913-06-17
CHAPTER THiRTT-Sik.
Continued

nd9ring II he mad changed. NOT
tie a year had elapsed since he had
lxht the land OF her. and Yet he
n finding that his business sense,
inherited taste for a good bargain.
q enabling him To invest the pro-
IDS of his fraud To the utmost adj
ntage. He did not seek to justify
excuse himself, his moral percep-
ms were not weakened In the least.
he was conscious that a harden
process was going on In his own
ture. He was less kind-as she had
d-more willing TO seize on an ad
ntage: less under the influence or
generous impulses.
Stephen heard again from Gibbs,
q what the general had TO offer be-
me the deciding influence that took
u west.
He parted from Virginia regretfully
Ough. since he was aware that his
urn to Benson pust be uncertain.
q he WAS depressed by this convic-
n. II was true she was not entirely
bne. she had Jane and Harriet, bu;
felt that in spite OF love and graft
be, he had failed miserably In his
alton TO her
Yet his spirits rose as he travelled
st-thrOugh the autumn landscape:
seemed TO be leaving disappoint-
int, failure, behind. and larger
pc than he had known came TO him
the horizon lifted and widened.
They reached Kansas City. where
lowing Gibbs instruction, they
ar iaD
parted the tri-weekly stage for
ant City. Taking the Saturdays
ge they journeyed south and west.
The first day took them through
Easant settled land dotted with pros
rous looking farms: but it was rath-
In the nature OF a shock 10 stephen
1t none OF their fellow travelers in
Concord coach had ever heard or
bbs or OF Grant City. Still the con-
hsus OF opinion seemed to be that
8 was nothing against either Gibbs
Grant City-there might be such
ln, and there might be such a town.
The driver, however, proved to be
tier Informed, and from him
bphen Cleaned certain facts that
mt far toward reassuring him. He
II been able TO secure seat at his
e the second day. he and Marian
me remaining OF those who had
ed the coach AT It's start Accord
to the driver. Grant City was
ht smart Of place did he know
neral Gibbs Yes. he knew Gibbs
Every one knew Gibbs, he was right
art OF man. busy bossy sort or
xrh al
y Fourth OF July every day In the
fek and Sunday. too. for him.
He had been very successful, Steph-
ventured. Well, yes. the man sup
sed SO, but he only had Gibbs own
brd for It.
They lapsed into silence after this.
whether or not his informant en-
|ely approved OF Gibbs, Stephen was
able to decide. The driver slowly
hsidered Stephen out of the corner
his eye. then he drawled
You going TO Grant City,"
Eyes"
Ooing to start up in business may
Perhaps"
Know Gibbs"
fYes." @
Well. guess you're all right then"
There Is "A hotel, | suppose" said
ephen.
His question moved his companion
something like enthusiasm.
You bet there is--the Metropoli-
h-Jim Youtsey runs it: It's the
at place In three counties 10 get
uare meal OF well-cooked -yittlesl'
f'The town is very new" suggested
ephen
"As new as a two days beard.
reed the driver.
But thriving growing place"
A perfect mushroom
Just at shutdown Stephen caught his
st glimpse OF Grant City; huddle
houses on slight em~lence; anu
they drew nearer he saw that these
buses were mostly implanted frame
ructures that struggled along two
des OF a dusty country road, their
ar doors and backwards boldly fac
3 the wide-hung prairie.
The coach drew up in 'front.' OF the
fgest building In the place. II gave
L pleasant odor as OF new pine
ID clean shavings; across its front
rs hung a huge sign which announc-
II to be the Metropolitan Hotel
A tall man In his shirt-sleeves, with
sandy beard, and quill toothpick
Did negligently between his teeth,
epped to the coach stephen con-
ctured that this was no less per-
n than Mr. Jim Youtsey himself
% no IA n.
Tired affabH.
yes" said Stephen, stepping 10 the
bound.
THE general asked me to keep an
Re peeled for you. He's over in the
3xt county, will be back tomorrow IL
bthing happens--a splendid man!
pu couldn't have a stronger indorse-
emit, sir. I'm glad to know you. glad
welcome you into our midst" And
r. Youtsey shot him sunny smile
Der the tip OF his toothpick and held
bit his hand Present me to the
adame-Youtsey's my name
Stephen did so. and Mr.. foutsey re-
owed his hat with one hand and his
Sothpick with the other; his hat was
Burned to his head. and his tooth
)ck to his mouth by a common move
lent Of his two hands. and he led the
lay toward his hotel.
What you see, sir. is the newest
ling in Kansas A year ago there
las nothing here but sunshine and
(ck-rabbits.
He further begged Stephen TO par
cularly note that Grant City was not
COW town; its wealth being derived
htire1y from the cultivation OF the
MI. whora Uara tho farmao Inst