The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-06-30

got bur BENSON. ne could not forget
And even while they were discuss
ing them. Virginia and Mark Norton
had been porting over the papers.
1T is avery remarkable circum.
stance murmured the banker II
see--accounts of the Benson and Cal-
fornia Mining and Trading Company.
Did you know that my father had
money in that venture? | declare,
here's a list Of the stockholders and
here's his name-he's down for two
shares No. can't see that these
papers are OF any Importance 70 you.
or ever could have been. They re-
late 10 matters that must have been
long since settled by Mr. Benson"
He had been turning the papers slow
" as he spoke Suddenly he paused
10 glance sharply az a paper he held
In his hand
What ia it," Virginia asked.
why, how much land did you own
IN Belmont county,"
"One thousand acres"
"One thousand acres" he repeated,
that's what | thought, then there is
some mistake here. In the list or
his holdings, your husband has en-
tered two thousand acres as held by
him and his brother in Belmont Coun-
~ You can see-here, and he
showed her the place.
But only sold Mr. Benson one
thousand acres, no. there couldn't
have been more than that; there is
some mistake
"Oh you sold the land 10 Mr.. Ben
son ."
"Ie bought Il for Page STARK"
We'll here Is your husbands men,
orandum In his own handwriting; he
mentions two thousand acres which
he owned in Belmont County. don't
know. but Of course there may be
some mistake. Yes. there must be,
though it's hardly likely that he could
have been in error In such matter.
Mr. Benson you say sold this land
for you 10 Mr. Stark, sold all the land
you owned there? ! wonder If It is
possible that you could have trans
ferred larger acreage than you were
aware OF"
"Imposslbe," cried Virginia "Mr.
Benson. is too careful man for any
thing like that 10 have happened"
"Of course, II is hardly a reason
able suppositiQn, but on the other
hand. Mrs. Laedray, your husband
certainly knew whether II was one
or two thousand acres he owned
You don't doubt Mr. Benson"
81 don't know whether do or
not" said the banker II certainly
think your husband would not have
written the word two II he had meant
one, | think you'd better show this
70 Ben Wade. let him ferret around
among these papers. III send him up
here tomorrow.
The next morning Mark Norton
stopped at Wades office on his way
downtown.
You're early, Ben" he said
II don't want any clients 10 turn
away because nv doors shut; and
not only that. | was expecting a let
| ter from Clara on the early mail y
: "Her mother complains that you
seem TO be getting all the letters; but
see here. Ben. Mrs Landray had me
glance over those papers you left FOR
her last night" He looked rather
grave. 81 don't understand them, and
the more I've thought about them.
the less understand them So what
] want 10 say is this, you go over them
carefully"
why, what's wrong?" asked Wade
eagerly.
Mrs. Landray Will tell you. don't
understand the matter at all. But l
want you TO be quite sure you're right
before you hazard an opinion, or
there may be serious consequences;
serious to her, and serious to us all.
Just keep this clearly in mind. that's
all"
do Won mean that she wants 70
see me this morning."
Yes. can you go there now
Certainly, II she wants me-" and
Wade reached for his hat.
What the banker had said, took him
In hot haste 10 the cottage.
81 wonder II old Benson has been
I'D TO any tricks" he speculated as
he strobe along ''He was her lawyer
when she had money, and she looks
after her business In way TO make
her a temptation TO her attorney"
Mr.. Wade was himself quite honest.
He had certain large ambitions, ana
these coupled with small opportunity
had saved him from any false steps;
hut he did not always give others the
credit OF seeing as far ahead as he
saw.
He reached the cottage, and found
Virginia waiting for him. She rose
from her chair as he entered the
room.
u have Just left Mr. Norton" said
Wade, as he greeted her. He SAID
i
you wished mo TO call.
Yes. Mr.. Wade, did" said Vir-
gnla gravely She had been seated
at a table that stood by one of the
windows through which the morning
sun was streaming. and Wade saw
| that the table was Uttered with pa
oers He conjectured that they were
| the papers that Reddy had sent
Did Mr.. Norton tell you anything"
asked Virginia.
Not word Mrs Landray, except
that YOU wanted 10 see me. He inti-
mated. though. that something had
happened
Something has happened" said viz
ginia, with swift intake OF her
5rsath. "Please sit down. MIR. Wade
here by the tablets the light too
strcng? I want you 10 look over these
papers. They are those you left yes
te-day"
you mean that am 10 read them,
Mrs. Landray?" he asked. as he seated
himself and deity arranged the pa
pers In a neat little pile
4 Yes. Mr.. Wade" and Virginia