The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-26
CHAPTER TWeNTV-ONE.
(continusa.,

068ys
She smiled sup ,rior. She WAS al
fsoady prepared for this objection.
mo, of course not shall Join
some party. Other women have gone.
"A IN the spring other women will be 20
ing again: will Join some such
party"
"a He seated himself In q chair by her
side.
Il know you will listen to me. even
"A e you had rather not hear what l am
considered the difficulties. the hard
ships. the actual dangerr" he asked.
They are nothing. compared with
what I am suffering now" she said
simply. He hurried on.
III you will only wait, you may
hear from him. Indeed you must
make up your mind to wait until the
river opens; you cannot start until
z then. I beg Of you wait just little
longer; pray don't misunderstood me,
Am not going to oppose any project
you may have set your heart upon;
that would be quite without my prov
inoo."
Then you really think l should
Ii 60"
SVOS mn k>0AOI0ys i Co11 0C6IC0iy
conceive-you will pardon me for say
Ing it, more ill-advised undertaking:
but / think you will see 1t this way,
100. whom ! have pointed out some Of
the aimcultiss."
vlrginia's faoe fell
7 win do anything to help you." ne
went on warmly. But how can your
Y quest prove conclusive? You will be
member Of some party whose whole
l1teroat win be to cross the plains al
quickly - possible. They viii not
want to stop to prosecute such q
search: and do you realize the mag
n1tu0e OF such Q task! You will have
ksto cross hundreds of miles Of desert.
and explore . section that will some
day b divided into seven or eight
states larger than Ohio"
Men can be hired TO 60 where
can not" said Virginia reluctantly.
W Then she drew herself up imperiously.
Il have thought Of all you say. Mr..
n Benson, and In spite Of obstacles the
means OF success will not be lacking,
n am sure Of that"
There was q long silence. Benson
rose and paced the floor. Virginia
watched him gravely.
~
ou6cient money!" she asked at last
II shall need . large sum-
beg your pardon-oh, yes" when
h she had repeated her question. Ben
SON paused In his rapid walk.
Il suppose you know how absolute
Isl " helpless you VIII be- he said.
How dependent on mere chance
b Kindness. on mercenary interest. Mrs
IAndray? l appreciate your heroism
--it IN beautiful-believe me am not
unmindful Of that: but II 10 altogether
impractical. II any one goes. q man
muM 60. A man who will be superior
& chance Kindness or purchased In
eerest. who can conduct the search
himself from beginning TO end. and
Who Will not have to trust any one. "
E But where could | ind such q
man.
The lawyers face flushed.
Would you trust me. Mrs. Land
ray?"
'.You-Mr. Benson"
yes"
n Oh rising and going quickly to
HE side. You are not serious, you
could not 90; 90 many people need
,ou here"
They can very well get along with
out me-" he said shortly.
she searched his face eagerly;
there WAS . faint wistful smile on her
lips. II was plain she was uncertain
81 - 70 how she might take his words.
i Am quite In earnest, Mrs. Land.
ray" he said. you could trust me-"
oh. yer-implicity.'
a swift sense OF Joy came to him.
He was about to do q very foolish
thi-g: but the fact that It would be
Tor her. dignined the folly; 1t became
\ desirable. privilege.
But can you go?" doubtfully.
Why not?" and he laughed boyish.
u. What's to keep me II | wish to
oo1 However, you must understand
that ! am making promise that fu-
ture events will probably render void:
- you need not thank me, since
u can't think I'll have the opportunity
20 earn your thanks"
But I do thank you"
And you agree to my going IL It's
Necessarily" he questioned eagerly.
She looked at him doubtingly.
Il wonder when you speak SO con-
\. ndently OF my hearing from Stephen
IN the spring. how much Is conviction.
n how much kindness--the wish to put
from me till the last moment terri
lie. hopeless knodledge?"
His glance wavered under the in
tenSity Of the look she fixed upon
him; he could not meet her eyes.
Il know you mean to be very kind,
Mr.. Benson. Your friendship has been
Il my greatest comfort. and now YOU
N Will make this sacrifice; fear am
very selfish In allowing II. but don t
you understand? E'his is the last. the
n only thing I can do; after this, there
y ID nothing-nothing-e will
have ended for me- and so. In nv ex.
tremity. I am willing to let you 20
for me-"
Don't say that. Mrs. Iandray!" he
B cried. Nothing really ends: In some
+ form or another the thing we cherish
n lives on
But what will be left for me?' she
asked simply; and he was silent.
II was all SO recent, but later when
time should have done its merciful
work. some peace OF mind would sure.
~ come to her; he could not believe
that this tragedy could be wholly
tragic.
when ] Co." he said gently. II shall
want you to believe that / shall leave
N nothing undone that devotion and
stngleness or purpose can suggest. OF
money accomplish. But we must wait
. little longer; YOU will be patient