The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-24


expect letters now II at winter had
set In. and she was not going to
NOPE.
Benson was constantly irritated by
her requests for money; and when
he finally refused to yield TO them
out OF simple Justice to Virginia.
whose interests he felt were threat
ened by her extravaganza. she quiet
ly worsted him by gaining Virginias
sanction to her demands.
1t was In vain that he demonstrated
with the latter. She listened patient.
ly enough to his explanation, but
with an apathy that included all
worldly concerns.
He was exasperated and annoyed,
since the situation promised to pre-
sent certain very tangible difficulties
The mill had been q dubious EN- pr
prise In the hands of Paxon, the new
man In January he was to have
made his second payment, but was
unable to do so, and turned back the
mill. The brothers had directed that
! this money be used to take up their
note to Mr.. stark; and Benson took
up the note himself.
| He showed the note 10 Anna tho
very next time she came TO the ONCE.
hoping II would prove an impressive
argument In favor OF greater ecpn.
omy; but was much chagrined to find
that she regarded the matter as set.
tied, now that the note had passed
out of Mr.. Stark's hands into his.
But, my dear Mrs. Landray." he
urged, suppose anything should hap
pen; suppose ! should die suddenly;
the note would be found among my
papers--it might be very inconveni-
ent, you know"
But you are not going to die, Mr..
Benson" said Anna cheerfully. Il
have Just been remarking how we'll
you look" and che rose reluctantly
to go.
I'VE never know" said the lawyer.
rising with evident alacrtty. He fol.
lowed her to the door. Anna signed
and frowned.
III only Bush were here. l shouldn't
have to bother you; l can manage
Bush. but l don't seem able to do SO
very much with you. Mr.. Benson. l
wonder why It is?" she turned to him
smilingly.
Il am fortified by the necessities
OF the CASE" he said.
you are Q very determined char
acter; I don't wonder people have
such confidence In you," she hoped
this Aattery might move him, but
the lawyer merely bowed. Cant we
mortgage something? Bush and Ste
phen were always doing that"
They were almost too success
full Mrs. Landray," said Benson.
well, I shall see Virginia." and
Anna sighed again.
II shall see Virginia, too" NUT
tered the lawyer. after Anna had
taken her leave Of him. The little
idiot cares for nothing but money"
and he turned back into his once
again.
The house Benson occupied was
on the north side Of the pubic
square. 1t was two-story frame
structure having an ungenerous porch
across the front. Everything about 1t
spoke for q depressing utility, a mea-
ger suficiency. Its walls were mere
huaks which enclosed large barren
rooms, which successfully resisted ~
attempts at adornment. A narrow
strip OF turf separated the house from
the sidewalk, this was divided oy .
gravel walk which led from the gaze
to the front door; the edges OF TINS
path were bordered by white'washed
stones the size Of mans two nsts.
Since his fathers death, Benson
had used the large double parlors as
offices. a side door from the rear room,
over which his modest sign was dis'
played. opened on WAterst.; AND by
this door his clients came and went
in steadily increasing numbers.
He had few pleasant memories ot
his boyhood to attach him to the
Mace. His mother had died when ne
was a child: and his father, who hao
mia own ideas about the rearing OF
children, had made his up-brlnging
stern and rigorous; he yet recalled
the latter with greater awe than al
lection: indeed, q certain fear OF the
old pioneer had followed him into
manhood
He still remembered wildly his first
trial; how glancing up from nis orlei'
he had found his fathers dark. rest
less eyes fixed upon him; their coioiy
critical glance had filled him WIN
something very like terror; and when
he had spoken his voice faltered, ana
no had seen the shaven lips curl con-
temptuously; afterward. his father
had said with that frank unsparins
|candor Of his. I suppose you can
helm It that you are fool. Jacob;
then he had added, Il always thought
YOU took after your mothers foiks,
none of them ever amounted to much
that heard tell Of" But he had lived
to reconsider this nasty judgment; he
had seen his son grow steadily IN
mems esteem.
Old Jacob Benson had been very
rich man, his opportunities considered.
The big brick warehouses on Front-s'.
had been his, and for years he had
been the principal merchant In the
town.
On coming into this property, young
Jacob had disposed Of the store; ana
he was content to collect MIS- rents
from the warehouses without any
speculatiye interest In the grain ana
produce they houses. He was studlous
and ambitious. He might have done
MANY things with the fortune thar
was his. but he had preferred TO re-
main in Benson where the very men
who had distrusted his father, the men
who had reason to remember him as
hard and close. had every liking fof
the son.
When Anna took her leave OF him,
the lawyer turned to his desk. He
h.A acar,olv sotflod himRoIf at his