The Detroit times., 1913-06-18
CHAPTER THlRTT.Slx.
(contlnued.l

Which was quite true, for Gibbs
as the great man locally: an admir-
and respected presence at Mr..
putsey's bar. 1t was the general
Ere. and the general there; the
no OF his name constantly filled the
r. He was vain, bustling, ostenia-
Dus; the small fry OF struggling
Iuntry newspapers heralded his pass,
Y to and fro In the state with much
bise; for that fall there had been
holly contested state election, and
bbs with an eye single To his own
MANAGEMENT had taken the stump.
ven SO far away as ST. Louis one OF
ke big dailies had Glanced 10 speak
him as General Gibbs, OF Kansas. -
tribute To his growing fame which
kemed to argue that he had already
bcome almost a national figure. Per
hps IL was this divided interest that
las responsible for his business meth.
BIS, for they struck Stephen as being
htirely haphaZard, nor could he in
ice him TO make any change here.
Mrs. Gibbs had returned to Grant
(ty during the winter fully prepared
make friends with Marian: but
arian conceived dislike for her
hich she was at no pains TO conceal,
hid In the end Julia informed Gibbs
lar I-andrays wife was stuck-up
lille fool, which seemed to amuse the
kneral immensely
Stephen felt that il might have
ZEN 10 their advantage had Marian
As,u n NJ Are ot
did not know how Gibbs himself
light be affected; but Gibbs was az
cted not at all; he commented upon
eir mutual hostility with character
tic candOr
God bless 'em, The ladies cant
blp II. Landray. and 1t might be
Orse II they we're intimate. Now, my
lila can't carry to Marian any little
hing l chance To let drop about you,
nd Marian. can't take up any slight
&g criticism you may make OF me.
'bn't know but that we have a good
bal to be thankful for anyhow-God
ess 'em. let 'em fight 1t out. II
ont upset our friendship. | knew
bonn the first that we were cut out
pr a business connection: you're
)ng-headed and conservative; own
IN something Of an idealist-my Inn
gination runs away with me You're
be steady hand. and by the time
eve talked a scheme over we get
bgether on pretty sane conclusion"
To Stephen this was fattering
binion that he hoped the general
)ight never have cause TO reconsider.
avrt hi tn,xy N "
Tartan. Stephen was on the whole.
hppy and well content in Grant City.
|ut Marian grew no better; indeed,
) the summer advanced. he some
mes fancied he noted a change for
be worse, though Airing, still the
bly, doctor in the place, pooh-poohed
bis fear Of his.
Eyes, but why don't she get BETTER"
tephen would demand
she will, Landray: give her time
|m free To say it amt just a usual
hse, but there's no organic trouble,
he ought to be we'll woman" And
e would scuttle Off in the direction
Mr.. Youtsey's bar. where he could
ways be found when wanted.
And all this while Grant City SEEM
b to grow and prosper. The huddia
4 houses Increased by the roadside,
here were side streets sparsely built
|pon 1t Is true, but there was the be-
inning OF a perceptible movement in
his direction The place was taking
In the semblance Of a town.
The stage carried a constantly in
reasing traffic: the tri-weekly gave
lace to a daily service; next there
Jas both mid-morning and after
Don stage. bat even this failed TO en-
hrely meet local needs. for as Mr.
Foutsey said, the town was throwing
f1fty-inch chest
There was talk of issuing bonds for
THAT Gibbs called municipal improve
nents: the town-ste spectators
Iamored for graded streets and gas,
nd the general In the Epoch. de-
handed speedy settlement OF the
'exing question of the county seat.
fore than this, he announced that he