The Detroit times., 1913-06-26

YOU II like him, Landray. every ones
got good word for Ben"
Then Reddy began to question
Stephen. and after he had made him.
self familiar with the salient points
In his career. he spoke OF himself
more freely than he had yet done, and
incidentally told many strange tales or
the west. But to Stephen the strang-
est OF all was the story OF his luck.
! He had gone to Colorado with a cat
tie dealer the year after Stephen left
Benson: in short. he fulfilled his ear
, ~ promise, and ran away. He had
helped the cattle dealer west with a
load OF registered stock. and had
reached Denver with only the few dol
lars saved from his wages, in his
pocket. From there, he had drifted
OF varying fortune he struck II rich
In modest way. and had found him
self possessed of the sum OF ten thou
sand dollars. This he put In cattle.
and had prospered exceedingly. But
this was not all-there was girl: the
same girl who had pointed out to him
his duty in the case Of his mother:
her name was Margaret Rogers. and
to her Reddy had given his soul
Il wish you could know her, Land
ray" he said. Maybe you think It's
against her that it's settled between
us; that's about how I'd look at It.
for | can't see what she finds in a
proposition like me to tie up to. It
ANT that I've made my little pile,
for Colonel Rogers is worth a cool
million
II was plain to Stephen that Reddy
had drunk deep OF the spirit of the
west. That night they sat In the
smoker, under the dim lamps, and
talked until II was almost day, and
through the next day; and as night
fall came again, they rolled into Ben
son. with Reddy dry tongued and
plumb talked out"
Here they separated. Reddy was
keen. as he expressed 1t, to hit the
trail for the old lady's shack. and
Stephen watched him disappear, tug
ging at the yellow satchel, heavy with
his peace offering, the truck he was
taking to her; then as the crowd thin
ned out from about him. he glanced
around. He had more than half-ex-
pected that Benson would be there to
welcome him.
AS he stared about him for a sight
Of the familiar figure. some one touch
ed him on the arm. He turned. and
saw ~ shabby old gentleman. with q
red puffy face and a fringe OF white
hair showing beneath the rim OF his
dingy silk hat. q
''Steve''-the old man spoke In q
husky tremor, as II his emotions were
Oh IN n az a hi p
boy. how are you?"
Landray owned to a feeling OF mys-
LITIGATION. but since the stranger ap-
peared on terms of such intimacy with
him, he gave him his hand
You don't know me; well, It was
hardly to be expected you would"
"Oh. yes, / do" cried Stephen quick
y, light breaking In on him. You
ere General Gibbs" But he had pic
tured the general as erect. grizxled, OF
military aspect: hale and vigorous,
with the righteous years he had lived
This grossly fat old man. was q dis
tinct shock the touch OF his clammy
hands. the pressure OF his tremulous
fingers. for Gibbs now held the hand
he had given him In both his own,
was almost repulsive.
Surely, II aint possible that You
remember me. Steve?" cried Gibbs.
Il reckon you knew Jake wouldn't
send any one but me to meet you.
Here. let me carry your satchel-no?
Well. come this way then to the car
riage. Your Uncle Jake wasn't feel
ing just himself tonight. Oh, nothing
serious. Odd though, amt it?-I'm a
good ten years his senior. and I say
1t without pride. Steve, I've lived
faster life than he has, and / don't
know what sickness Is. My dear boy.
I'm glad to see you, I've been the
friend. the intimate associate. OF two
generations of Landrays. and you're
to make the third; for we'll keep up
the ancient custom, trust me for that.
Are you quite comfortable"
They were seated In the carriage
now.
"Oh. quite said Stepehn. His first
impression Of the general was dis
tinctly and unqualinedly unfavorable.
Gibbs was speaking again.
It's quite coincidence that should
meet you, Steve; OF course you don't