The Detroit times., 1913-07-09
The Fortunes of the LandrayS
n. ssEas By Vaughan Kestr m, h. r vs ,:@-


ginia; and Wade hurried down town
TO see Norton.
He stopped at his Office just long
enough 10 write a note 10 stephen.
whom he asked TO drop in on him at
halfpast ten the next day, and 10 wait
there for him until he came. He
wanted 10 get him out OF the way UNI
I'll Virginia should have had her In
terview with Benson, when II would
be too late for him to interfere TO any
purpose.
The next morning, assisted by
Jane, Virginia dressed for the ordeal
with more than her usual care.
Where Is Stephen" she asked OF
the latter.
"He has just gone TO see Mr.. Wade.
dear. He had a note from him this
morning asking him TO call at the Of
fice, so he told me"
BY turns Virginia was hot and cold.
but her composure was steady and
mistaken, though when they heard
the carriage drive up TO the gate, she
sat down abruptly and stared rather
helplessly at Jane; yet q moment
later when she descended the stairs,
all her firmness had returned.
On the way downtown Wade care
fully outlined the points she was TO
cover.
You think you can do II, Mrs. Lam
dray?" he asked anxiously: You
don't think it will be too much for
you?"
1T Is nothing / should care TO do
for the pleasure of It," said Virginia.
with a CLEAN OF nervous humour at
the thought. She set her lips frmE.
IL think can remember all you say.
You will 20 In with me?"
"Oh, yes, you don't think Id de-
sert you?" he said reproachfully. He
was in fever of excitement, though
no one would have guessed 1t from
his manner
Then stand close at my side where
can touch you If | want to- said
Virginia.
"Tll be right there, Mrs. Landray,"
he answered laughing. Still I don't
see why you should feel 1t. Benson
Is the one who has done wrong. All
you want Is the land, and I've the
money here for him, II he'll only
take It,"
The carriage drew up at the curb
in front of Benson's office, and Wade
opened the door and sprang out and
helped Virginia to descend. He look
ed closely into her face, but beyond
that II was quite colorless, II betoken-
ed nothing Of her feeling at that mo-
ment. He could not help seeing what
a fine and imposing figure she made.
He noted the firm set of her lips, and
knew she would be fully equal to the
occasion.
For a moment Virginia paused be-
fore entering the building and
glanced about her. Perhaps she did
this unconsciously, but Wade thought
he understood her feeling.
Courage he said.
She entered the building and went
swiftly up the single flight OF steps
that led to Benson's Office Wade
made as IL to offer her his arm, but
by a quick gesture she declined It.
He kept his glance fixed on her face.
He would have been quick to detect
any sign OF wavering on her part
but her face had become mask
which hid all emotion.
They entered the office. In the
outer room sat Gibbs writing at his
desk, with his bald head just show
ing where he bent above his work
At another desk Miss Murphy was
similarly occupied. An arch which
could be closed with folding DOORS
separated the outer office from the in
ner and more private room, and here
sat Benson. But he was not alone.
DR.. Ward, the Episcopal clergyman
was with him, and they were talking
together.
Wade glanced about him with a
swift turn of the head. He saw Gibbs
and Miss Murphy; and beyond the
arch, Benson and DR.. Ward; and a
slight smile parted his lips. DR..
Wards unloo&ed-for preSence only
added to the dramatic value of the
moment that was to come, and Wade's
alert mind saw beyond the present.
1t would be all over town In a few
hours, and he would be the most talk
ed OF lawyer In the county He nod
ded pleasantly to Gibbs, who had
glanced up from his writing, and
whose eye he caught. He smiled at
Miss Murphy, who was pretty, and
turned to Virginia.
Courage" he whispered between
his teeth
Virginia advanced straight to the
wide opening between the two rooms.
She did not see Gibbs. and she did
not see Miss Murphy; though she was
conscious OF their presence I'm the
room. But she did see Benson. and
knew In vague sort Of way that he
was seated at his desk talking with
man, but she did not realize who
that man was until afterward.
When he saw Virginia, white
faced, but resolute. and determined.
Benson realized what was TO follow.
what was indeed happening then: and
he came slowly TO his feet. He even
took half step forward to meet her.
am very glad to see you, Vir-
ginia, he said In a low voice. Won't
you sit down for moment? | shall
be at liberty then"
He wanted DR.. Ward to go before
she hurled her charges at his head.
Virginia turned rather helplessly TO
Wade. She was conscious all at once
that what had been a mere idea had
suddenly become an entity. and the
entity was this gentle smiling man
whom she had come there 10 charge
with fraud. But Wade gave her a
quick glance OF announcement and
nodded HIS head with cool decision.
At the same moment he slipped into
her hand the packet OF bank-notes
which Norton had furnished for the