The Detroit times., 1913-06-25

But Benson was preparing Tor
Stephens future In accordance with
cArtain theories of his own. Business
had taken him east during the sum-
mer. and while there he had visited
several boys schools. AT last he
found just such an institution as no
Was looking for. II was both a school
and q home. Here Stephen would
have the care he could not himself
give him. he would have proper ASSOC
. ciates OF his own age, and there would
4 be no danger OF his acquiring false
land harmful ideas as he grew older
a. to his expectations In life 1t was
10 part OF the lawyers plan that the
boy should be brought back 10 Ben.
son, at least, not until his habits an
judgments were formed As to his
promise to Virginia that she should
not be wholly separated from Steph.
en-. It had already become irksome to
him. Stephen was his care, his re-
sponsibility; no part of 1t would he
share with her; the boy must learn
to look 10 him for everything.
His farewells were a bitter griev.
Ous thing to Stephen. They came
quick upon Benson's return home, and
the parting with his Aunt Virginia.
and his Aunt Jane, and Harriet, and
\ the baby. tore his small heart as no
grief that had yet entered into his
life had torn II. The very stability OF
things seemed to shake under him:
he was stunned and stupehed. He
was 70 20 SO far away. he could not
see his Aunt Virginia, his Aunt Jane.
Harriet, or the baby-and the boys!
He would probably never see Spike,
or Reddy, or Benjamin Wade again.
The promise Of return to Benson
the next summer. which the lawyer
had not been able to deny him. was
no comfort to him. n the interven-
ing months had been years they could
not have been more terrible to him.
This knowledge that he was to 90
away. and his farewells at the cot
tage, al fell on one sad afternoon that
he emembered long afterward with a
dreadful sinking Of the heart. Then
Mrs. Pope appeared with Peter and
the carriage, and az Virginia led him
down the path to the gate, she said:
you will not forget to love us,
Stephen dear; and II will not be for
so very long, for you will come back
next summer" and so she surren-
dered him with final kiss to Mrs.
Pope.
Stephen shrank into his seat as
they we're driven away; he did not
trust himself TO look back at the little
group they were leaving, for he was
aware that Mrs. Pope was not sympa-
thetic when small boys were moved
to tears. since grief was quite as OBJ
jectionable TO her as any crude or
noisy expression Of Joy.
When they reached home. he walk
ed disconsolately in the garden He
hoped Reddy. or Spike, or Benjamin
Wade, would visit him In his misery
Nnd sickness of spirit, for they had
not heard the tragic news, and he
would have greatly valued an express
sion Of opinion from one OF them.
And as he was hoping that one or
them might come, he heard a shrill
familiar whistle. and Reddy appeared
. from the back alley.
y Stephen told the sorrowful news,
and a. he told 1t. strange things hap
pened to Reddy's face. Then all at
once he burst into loud wailings, and
turning from Stephen. fed across the
green lawn, down the shaded rows
-
apple orchard, through a hole in the
fence, and disappeared In the alley
beyond. It was in vain that Stephen
called after him. shakingly. .chokingly.
"Reddy. Reddy. come back That
amt near ALL Oh, please, Reddy,
come back"
With the last flutter of Reddy's rag
ged jacket In the distance, Stephens
heart seemed to break He threw
Simself face down on the ground, and
@ept bitterly.
The next day he was led resolutely
to the bus by Mrs. Pope. where his
whittier his small trunk had already
been conveyed; and as he slowly took
his seat beside the lawyer, he glanced
from the window and saw across the
lawn three small bare-legged figures
in the street.
II was Reddy, with Spike, and Ben.
jamin Wade: they had assembled to
see him of, and now, as he left the
grounds. they cheered him Justify At
least. Ben and Spike did, for Reddy,
In the gutter. was turning hand
springs-his most valued accom- lish-
,ment-with bewiIdering rapidity, to
hide his emotions, while descending
upon the three. Stephen caught sight
of Peter armed with garden rake.
This was the last he saw of them, for
though he looked again and again, his
eyes were blinded with tears.
CHAPTER FoRTY-TWo.