The Detroit times., 1913-06-26

or almost up to the time OF his death"
Gibbs was industriously swabbing his
face with his handkerchief az he
spoke. stephen was silent. He did
rot know Just how to take his old
friend OF his fathers, the wealth OF
whose emotions embarrassed him. and
ne was greatly relieved when the car
riage turned from the paved street
into gravelled drive, and he knew
his journeys end was reached.
The house door opened, and Ben
son appeared on the threshold. Steph-
en- sprang from the carriage and ran
quickly up the steps. Gibbs followed
more slowly. with the coachman and
| the luggage.
| Right up to his room. Andrew
the front room over the library"
Gibbs ordered He turned to Benson.
II suppose Steve will want TO 90 up
stairs too. Jake. Hadn't better show
him the way?"
Benson gave Stephen q quiet smile.
| Il am quite In Gibbs hands, he
seid. He has been In consultation
with the cook for over week, pre-
/ pairing the dinner we shall sit down
to presently
| Good Heavens, Jake. I didn't want
the lad starve," said the general, a.,
busting and eager. he led the way up
stairs. While Stephen was busy re-
moving the signs Of travel from his
face and hands. he established himself
In easy chair from which he beamed
affectionately upon the young fellow.
| "Jake's In the hands OF his servants.
They never do anything for him II
Il puts them to the least trouble, but
they stand about for me. Damn 'em, I
give 'em a taste OF army discipline
| now and then, and q good r0using
cussing when think they need 1t.
don't know what he'd do II It vast
for me. since Mrs. Pope went away.
reckon you remember her, Steve?"
oh. yes
In the fuller light. Gibbs seemed
more unprepossessing than ever, and
there was that about him which ex.
planned as fully as spoken words could
have done, the cause and nature o.
| his dependence on Benson. Stephen
| saw In their relation, az he now under
stood II. only a Manifestation of the
lawyers charity and goodness.
1t was Gibbs who kept the converse
ton alive during dinner. He called
upon Stephen to admire each course
as 1t was served, II was all his idea,
he had battered sense into their heads
in the kitchen. They slouched for
Jake, but they knew a whole lot bet.
ter than to try that on him; he made
| 'em stand around But presently this
topic was exhausted. Stephen turned
| to Benson.
do you remember a boy called
| Reddy, Uncle Jake q little fellow
used to play with before / went away
10 SCHOOL," he asked.
Riley Crittendon, you mean, he was
back here some years ago. He Is do
ing very we'll in the west" said the
lawyer.
II made the trip from New York
with him. Yes, he says he Is very sue
| cessful"
His mother rents one OF Jake's
houses-nice little old lady-not so
| very old either" said Gibbs.
He told me about another OF my
friends. BENJAMIN Wade" said Steph-
en-. "Reddy says he's q lawyer"
"A very clever one, too, which
suppose he didn't tell you," said Ben
con.
And young fellow who IL going to
travel far and fast, II some one don't
stop him." said Gibbs grumpily.
Gibbs don't like him any too well"
| said Benson.
"Humph, He never courted my ap-
prevail reckon he'll flourish like q
green bay tree without 1t. I saw Mrs
Landray today, Steve-your Aunt Vir-
glnia," added Gibbs abruptly. II told
her you were expected home. reck-
en- she'll look to see you tomorrow"
Benson frowned slightly at this.
II have a vivid recollection Of Aunt
Virginia" said stephen.
You ought to-" said Gibbs, turning
sudden purple. II fetched you here
tc her, and you lived with her for a
while but you were only little fell
low then. Steve. II amt to be won
dered that your memory don't travel
back into the past as freely a mine
does. She was q second motKePNto
your father"
Stephen was less and less disposed
to like this shabby disreputable old
man. He wondered why II was that
Benson tolerated him at his dinner
table. and his wonder grew as the din
ner progressed; for Gibbs taking ad-
vantage of the occasion applied him.
cclf diligently to the wine, and with
disastrous results. As he relapsed
from sobriety, his conversation be-
came questionable; ne was profane,
and he was vulgar; or In recalling the
past. to which he constantly reverted,
he went swiftly from drunken senti-
ment to drunken tears. At last Ben
son stretched out hand and took
the bottle from before him.
you've had enough. Gibbs. Wen
60 into the library" he said coldly.
"Oh. come now, Jake-don't we make
q night Of TT" expostulated Gibbs. But
Benson merely pushed back his chair
and rose from the table. Stephen fol.
lowed his example. and the general
scrambled uncertainty to his feet. He
took Stephen by the arm In an access
OF affection.
"He screws me down most damn