The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-06-21

town, the town almost city. He mad
| expected changes, but he would have
said that he could have found his way
to what he had known years before al
the Leonard farm In spite OF any
changes; yet again and again he was
forced To pause and ask his way
ENen when he reached the house II
self he would not have known II. He
paused at the gate and glanced about
Below him was the level valley OF the
IAttlo Wolf river. II Was dotted with
rows OF lights; they diverged or ran
In parallel lines and marked streets
streets In what In his day had been
the best corn land In all the county.
Gibbs entered the yard and follow
cd up tho path to the front door. Vir
ginia, herself, answered his summons
the light that streamed outand about
her. he owned that the years had been
kind to her
What Virginia saw. was a red-taced
man who smelt strongly OF whisky
and stale tobacco; man with his hat
OF. which exposed a shiny bald head
and q thin fringe Of gray hair, bleary
eyes. and bulbulous nose; but who In
spite OF his dissipated look and his
shabbiness. the shabbiness OF well
worn clothes and soiled linen that had
been slept and travelled in. still main
/, tanned jaunty and a gallant air even
She saw further that he was holding
by the hand a small boy, q very small
boy indeed. who looked absurdly lit
tie for short trousers and roundabouts
and as II he had been suddenly ad
vanced from skirts and had not yet
grown accustomed to the change.
Mrs. Landray," Gibbs spoke In a
husky. throaty voice, II see you don't
recall me: but 1t amt to be wonder
ed at. Gibbs Is my name, General
Gibbs Of Kansas" he threw out his
chest. Il am delighted to see you
again after all these years; it's an
on his heart, and bowed low with old
fashioned courtesy. The sight OF hel
had taken him back full twenty years
AN honor, pleasure he repeated
The look OF surprise on Virginia i
face vanished. She understood. II
was Gibbs and Stephens baby-thif
other Stephen Mason Landray whom
she had never seen, but who stood
there in the light. blinking at her
sleepily with Landray eyes the small
upturned face had the Landray fea
lures. STOPPING quickly she raised
the child In her arms The general
followed her into the house
II had written you. general, for In
your letter to me you made no men
ton OF the child" she said, and now
she gave him her hand.
MY oversight, my neglect" said
Gibbs blandly Fact is. | wasn't
thinking much about him just then
it was poor Steve His voice broke
and she saw his eyes glisten and fill
But he had you to the last" she
said gently, gratefully. You were
with him during all his sickness
II did what / could for him, and sc
did my Julia. Everybody loved him
he was a real Landray in that"
Virginia had motioned him TO a
chair; then she seated herself with
the child still in her arms
81 feel better now he Is with you.
said Gibbs beaming on them benevo
lently.
He's very like-very like his faith
er, don't you think said Virginia
her face pressed against the child &
soft cheek
II reckon he's good and tired
Gibbs rose from his chair. "I'll come
in the morning to see how he gets
on.
But won't you stay? I'm alone
just now Mrs. Walsh who makes her
home with me, Is at her daughters
! L,,t
back any minute"
Il want to find Jake Benson said
Gibbs, Il reckon I'll pass the night
with him. Goodnight. SON." he gave
the boy his fat forefinger. Then from
his pocket he took the letter which
Stephen had written Virginia. sc
largely at his instigation. Its from
Steve" he said simply, as he handed
II to her.
I've said nothing of my gratitude
to you for all your Kindness" and Vir
ginia drew the child closer to her
breast.
ut was little enough | was able "a
do, Mrs. Landray. God knows want
ed Steve to live, but II wasn't to be,
He mopped his face with his handker
chief. 1T wasn't TO be-" he repeated
sadly. then he babe her an abrupt
goodnight and hurried from the house
AS the general had intimated, he
proposed being entertained by Benson
The trip east had involved such nice
calculation that this would be neces
sary unless he expected to practice
extraordinary self.denial on the way
home: and freed of the care of the
child be proposed permitting himself
A certain latitude on the return jour
ney.
The lawyer no longer lived In the
house on the square, he had moved
to a more remote part Of the town
whore he had built a home which
stood In the midst Of extensive
grounds. II was altogether the mos,
costly and imposing place In Benson
Gibbs found his way thither From
the servant who answered his ring
ne learned that his friend was not In
but was expected home shortly.
Then I'll wait for him here" said
Gibbs.
This the servant seemed reluctah,
to allow. but Gibbs pushed resolutely
past him.
Tell Jake" he corrected himself
artfully Tell Mr. Benson that it's
General Gibbs, OF Kansas" and hi
was shown into the library; ne had
hardly seated himself when the street
door opened again, and a moment lat
err Benson hurried into the room.