The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-19
The Fortunes of the Landrays
Tho CO By Vaughan Hester Author 3,: r S Judge
Author OF The Pr0diSA Judge"
"Just and the Unjust" etc.

eG n.mselI with no little composure
before the fire.
IL am not OBTAINING you?" he said
suddenly, half rising.
mo, think not; Martha is with
her"
He wondered vaguely at her reti-
cence regarding Jane.
There's a good deal OF sickness.
he said, as one presenting valuable
fact for her consideration.
$50 hear
II fear her affairs are In a rather
bad way" he continued, suddenly re-
called to the ostensible purpose of his
visit.
You have heard from her husband
brother them" said Virginia quickly.
Not from him personally, but from
IA lawyer in New York for whom | oc-
casionally transact business here"
oh" and Virginia waited for him
to 60 on.
Il gather that this brother or
Walsh's is entirely irresponsible. In
the first place his business did not
fall he disposed Of 1t at a remunera-
tive figure"
Jane Is lost?" asked Virginia.
THAT seems to be the case In fact
Walsh has himself sailed for Califor-
MIA"
They were silent. Benson had said
all there was 10 say, yet he made no
move to 60. That he had not seen
Mrs.. Walsh did not matter since the
real purpose OF his drive to the farm
had been accomplished. He had seen
Virginia; he had lacked the strength
to deny himself this perilous Joy.
Away from her he forgot rebufs and
sights; he remembered only her
beauty, the depths of her eyes; the
poise of her head; some swift grace
fuf gesture; and he lived In the spell
OF these things; and the desire,
strong and not to be denied, TO see
her. would assert itself. To be near
her was 10 feel himself ennobled, TO
thrill with a curious sense OF purifica-
ton; but he was conscious that his
feeling for her, which had grown out
OF boyish admiration for woman's
beauty that seemed finer and nobler
than anything he had known in a wO-
man before, was sweeping him away
by imperceptible gradations from all
his ideals of conduct and manhood
yet he would have been loath ia call
this secret ecstasy he knew In her
presence, love. In his moments or
self-searching he told himself that her
Indifference more than punished him
for the pleasure he derived from being
near her; but he expected to suffer;
that was something he could not hope
TO escape.
Virginia moved mipatiently.
Il will tell Jane all you have told
me, when | think she is able to bear
II. 1t will be a terrible disappoint-
ment TO her" Then she shot him a
swift glance. You have not heard
from Stephen" she spoke unsteadily,
and to Benson 1t seemed reluctantly
as well.
Not since he leg: Fort Laramie. /
suppose we can hardly realize the DIFF.
ficulties he encounters in sending his
letters east for mailing. here we have
every modern convenience; the stage
each day
Her grave eyes were bent upon his
face; she was seeking to determine
the depth Of his conviction.
What would you do II II was one
you loved who was so strangely silent,
who had gone, and from whom YOU
could not hear" she asked
He met her glance helplessly.
Perhaps the letters are lost" he
said at last.
That's what every one tells me-"
she smiled YEARLY
IT Is not an unreasonable contec.
ture." he urged.
In, IL
Ing will satisfy me until hear from
him.
No, Of course not"
1T was three months ago-three
months ago-that heard last!'
But consider the difficulties. the
distance; l wouldn't give way to-"
he did not finish the sentence. for
virginia had risen, and moving swift.
ly to the window stood with her back
to him, looking out into the night.
Can you explain his silence? am
dying for some word OF comfort
why don't you speak and tell me he
is safe"
Most assuredly think he is safe,
Mrs. Landray," said Benson. who had
also risen.
What do you understand by their
silence then? I've wanted to ask
YOU" she turned toward him az she
spoke.
Benson fell back step, and under
her steady gaze his face lost color.
Why. II hope for the best" he
said at last.
Then you do think this silence
means something more than the mere
loss OF letters-you--" she choked
and could not go on, and her hands
went up TO her white. round throat.
mo. no. he cried hastily. God
forbid that we should think anything
but the best for them: we can hardly
understand their situation, a thousand
things might stand in the way OF your
hearing"
Her hands fell at her side.
You are a man; you should know
more OF these matters than We WON.
en-; what are the dangers that they
may meet?"
81 don't know Really, Mrs Ian
dray. you exaggerate the gravity OF
their silence. You mustn't give way
TO your fears he said with gentle
insistance.
MY pride. my courage, has kept me
up till now, In James presence and in
Anna's; perhaps because they were
weak too. weak and helpless as only