The Detroit times., 1913-05-12

cant tell you what cause | nave To be
grateful to him, he has been 30 kind"
IL was his place to be kind said
virginia; and something told her visi-
TOR that Mrs. Landray did not like Mr.
Benson This caused her an instant'S
surprise.
You know l am an utter stranger
here. Mrs. Landray; my husband
came West to AL position AZ In
structors In Doctor Longs Academy. :
The connection had evidently seemed
4 notable one to the young wife, for
she referred to II with manifest pride.
i think" said Mrs. Landray short
~, 1t was very foolish Of him to
leave YOU and sacrifice such a desir-
able position"
Il thought SO, too" agreed the young
wife, but he hopes for such great
things from his journey to California.
His letters are 80 brave and full OF
courage. ! am trying to share In all
ne feels. II was not easy for him to
go; ! am sure this separation Is quite
as hard for him to bear as It IL for
me-"
But what about you, my deary'
said Virginia. The fortune he IL to
make is all in the future. What about
the present."
All. that Is very serious" and her
face clouded with doubt. II shall not
know where to write him until after
he reaches California; and even then
| must wait weeks and months for his
answer telling me what to do and ali
that while must nve-but howT'
Then you are quite without
means?" said Virginia gravely.
Yes. but when Jasper left, there
was q small sum of money which ne
had placed with his brother In New
York when he came to Benson. He
had arranged. as he thought, that this
money was to be sent to me, and |
was to place 1t in Mr. Benson's hands
for safe keeping. who was to let me
have II as | needed It; but now Jas
per's brother writes that the business
In which the money was invested has
been a failure. and that 1t 10 lost. that
there Is no hope of recovering any
part OF it,
Has he made no effort to recover
it, asked Virginia frowning. 1t was
q matter OF no small regret to her
that this brother had been permitted
to shirk his responsibilities. She felt
that something should be done to him.
Mr.. Benson has written him, and
|, of course; but all he will say Is
that his business IL a failure, and that
he has been able to save nothing from
the wreck. II 10 useless to look to
him for help; must do for myself"
And what can you do?" asked Vir-
sinia.
II might become a seamstress, or a
nurse, or a companion"
Virginia shook her head You are
not strong enough to be a nurse, and
| know Of no one who wants a COM
panion; as for sewing. It Ia illy.pafu
work at best; you could scarcely make
living at that. Have you no one
In the East. | mean, who might be
willing to help you until your hus-
band can provide for you himself?"
MY aunt. with whom / lived as q
child, has died since my marriage, and
Jasper only has this brother, and he
Is on the point Of leaving for Califor-
MIA himself"
II should like to see him." said vir-
ginia. Mrs. Walsh looked at her In
some surprise. Il would give him a
piece OF my mind Virginia added
for her fuller enlightenment.
He Is not very reliable. fear"
admitted Mrs. Walsh.
80 should suppose" said Viz
ginia drily.
Or. Long would have given me q
position In his academy to teach the
very small children, but his daughter
uytl IN hot hA a..
ing for me. l think he was rather put
out at my husbands leaving SO sud.
denly. OF course, went to him first.
have been very wretched and lone.
ly-" and her lips Quivered pathetic
ally.
my dear" said Virginia with sud.
den animation, you shall stay here
with me until you hear from your hus-
band"
"Oh. Mrs. Landray,"
Il am lonely, too. II may be that
we can cheer each other up. At any
rate you shall remain with me until
your husband knows of your need and
provides for You. II will not be for
long, and l shall be most happy to
serve you In this way"
I But can't be dependent-that
Of all things"
But you won't be. No. I won't lis
ten to your objections. know Ste.
phen would expect me to do this"
Just then, through the open window,
she saw Benson crossing the yard
from the mill. She turned toward the
door.
Here comes Mr.. Benson. II will
see him and tell him It is all ar.
ranged"
She found the lawyer with one foot
on the porch steps, hesitating as to
whether or not he should enter the
house.
Mr. Benson" she said in her clear,
calm voice, MRS. Walsh will stay
with me. May | ask you to see that
her trunk is sent out from the town
In the morning? Though, perhaps, I'd
better send Sam In for 1t. 30 need
not trouble YOU"
1T will he no trouble In the world, Z"
he made haste to assure her. Mrs.
Landray, this is most kind of you,
riost generous; I am more than CRATE
full" and bis boyish face flushed with
real feeling. Virginia's face. however,
remained wholly impassive. She did
not ask him into the house. but stood
above him on the top step. statuesQue
and beautiful, her tall figure sharply
outlined against the dark green Of the
Y oodbine and wisteria that rioted over
the porch. Benson stole q glance at
q A. a.