The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-07-07
The Fortunes of the Landrays
- ss.s:w Bg Vaughan Keter A-~ |. n h. rmssa . Judge

son imposed OF course she's hard
and embittered; and can you wonder
at it,"
No, / suppose not
You'll find my wife and daughter
strong partisans OF your aunt's. There
comes Elinor now
Stephen glanced from the window
and saw her approaching the house.
He quilted his chair
Don't go, said Norton we need
not mention this before her"
moment later Elinor entered the
room After a few words with Ste
phen and her father. she said:
II am just starting to Aunt Viz
ginias, Stephen; don't you think you
should see her, too?'
Why"
You have not been there in days
She is very anxious about you Come
with me, 1t will make her so happy
She il afraid she will lose YOU: that
Mr. Benson will object to your coming
to see her.
Stephen bridled at this.
MIR. Benson will not interfere with
me- | am as free as | ever was. Yes,
III go 10 Aunt Virginia with you, there
Is no reason why | shouldn't
He walked In silence by her side as
they stTolled up the street toward Eir-
ginia $ cottage. AT last he said;
"Elinor, this can only end in much
ill-feeling and the breaking OF all
friendships. You must see this;
wish you cared"
Il do care, Stephen; you know
care" she said gently.
Whatever do, am going to be
bitterly dissatisfied with myself.
You're convinced; you cannot under
stand how I'm not. and you viii never
appreciate my motives; you'll always
question them. This makes my love
all the more hopeless
Never mind that Eow. Stephen,
said Elinor Just promise me one
thing. Aunt Virginia has been so dis
tressed at not seeing you, think she
would agree to anything 10 spare you;
but you must be fair TO her. She has
no right to sacrifice herself even for
you"
do you think she cares that much
for me-"
Cares for you" cried Elinor. She
Is devoted TO you You don't know
her at all. or You would know this.
There Is no sacrifice she would not be
capable Of making for your sake
II shall insist upon her being guided
by your father and Wade"
Isn't he wonderful: Ben, | mean
I don't think anyone else would or
could have done all he has done
Stephen heard her in stony silence;
for In his heart he cursed Wade FOR
his zeal and shrewdness.
Ii was Virginia's habit 90 show emo
ton. but stephen saw that his call was
as much pleasure TO her as II was
surprise and he was glad for Ben
sons sake, that he had come with
Elinor. If only to properly present
him, they would know now that much
az they doubted him. he was at least
superior to all littleness. and scorned
TO make use OF him in any small
revenge he might have taken. Elinor
and Mrs. Walsh did not follow them
into the parlor, and stephen under
stood that Virginia had something to
say TO him
i've wanted TO see you, stephen,
| she began gently Perhaps | should
have sent for you, only | did not know
| that Mr. Benson would want you tC
come here"
Uncle Jake shows no inclination to
interfere with me- said Stephen
quietly.
After all Stephen. perhaps you
were right: perhaps nothing should be
done--about the land, | mean. At first
| was very bitter toward Mr. Benson,
could only see that he should be
punished; but | am more tolerant
now; at least, | don't want TO involve
you, or make your position difficult,
and don't see how this can be avoided
if suit is begun, You are his only rela-
tive" He saw that this admission
cost her something, for IL was made
reluctantly. II am going to tell Mr.
Wade my decision tomorrow. | think
this will be best"
But my dear Aunt Virginia. you
cant do this, | can't let you make any
such sacrifice for me-"
For whom else would | make IL,
Stephen" she asked simply. But II