The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-26


and he turned back In the twilight
that had fallen, and reentered the
house.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.
| wonder II she will never under
stand" Benson asked himself. as he
stood by the window and watched the
carriage roll across the square and
disappear down Main-st.
With the twilight, silence had fall
on also; not that the town ever ex.
pressed itself with any accumulated
volume OF sound. but the score OF
teams that had stood hitched by the
curb all day while their owners traded
or gossiped. were now seeking the
lonely country roads that led toward
home.
In the half light, Benson saw vague
ly outlined. the courthouse, the jail
two newspaper offices. four dry-goodt
stores. one grocery, two saloons and
the tavern; the mere externals OF mid
die west civilization at the end OF the
first half of the nineteenth century.
Along the fences in the cutters, and
beneath the shelterinS caves or the
houses. were dirty patches OF melting
snow and tee; mud and slush filled
the street, and over all, between the
changing grey clouds, the rising moon
sent q faint uncertain radiance.
The winter was almost at an end.
II he went west II must be soon.
He sought to recall all that had
been said. and all that he. carried
away by the stress Of his own emo
az L. n
promised Virginia.
And people call me shrewd and
capable, Well. one thing. 1t will never
profit me. he mused sadly. She will
never forget him. she's the sort OF
woman who doesn't forget; must
bear that In mind.
The conviction had come To him
slowly and reluctantly that Stephen
Landray and his brother and their
companions had persisted; for this
was the only theory that could explain
their silence. II had been either the
Indians or the cholera: and the en-
tire party must have been destroyed
or they would have heard from the
survivors. The wealth OF the train.
and the money Stephen and his broth
ed had In their possession, might have
induced dishonesty: but he was un-
willing to believe that either Walsh.
or Dunlevy, or Bingham. could have
been guilty Of the crime OF silence II
anything had happened to the broth
ers; OF Rogers he felt he knew moth
ing
Stephens dead; OF course. he .
dead Then his memory reverted TO
her gratitude when he had told her
he would go, and his heart leaped
OF Joy. Yes. he would 90 for her glad
ly-and perhaps
The Office door opened. and the law
yer turning quickly from the window
confronted muffled ngure.
Are you quite alone, jake" and
the voice was strangely familiar
Quite" said the lawyer. but
who the dickens are you?"
The man laughed. and pulling on
his cap. smoothed his hair and turned
down the collar OF his ulster and
Benson had the uncertain pleasure OF
gazing on Captain GIBBS flushed ana
ford face
We'll. how are you, jake" said
that worthy. easily.
What has brought you back" de
manded the lawyer with some stern
ness.
Some damn bad roads. and hard
travel" said the captain. he moved
a step nearer and half extended his
hand
There said Benson. scornfully. Il
don't need to shake hands with you"
Not II you feel that way about II.
you don't" and the captain laughed
shortly. but he added, ION. come
now, Jake, don't you be so high and
mighty"
ne went TO the fireplace and threw
on fresh log; the fire leaped up and
Its light filed the room Benson gazed
al him with some interest.
That's better" said Gibbs, cheer
fully. We can see to talk now"
What do YOU want. Gibbs? What
brings you skulking back"
You're making IL very difficult for
me To keep my temper. Jake" said the
captain blandiy didn't skelk
Can't you guess why ! am here"
No"
oh. try again. Jake; you didn't
half try"
Il am too Indifferent TO try" re-
torted Benson You deserve
Never mind what deserve" In
terposed the captain with touch of
jsullenness.
II was merely going to observe in
a erai way that coat of tar ana
feathers would not be inappropriate !;
aud Tucker had q good many friends
1who probably think the same"