The Detroit times., 1913-06-23
CHAPTER FORTY.
CONTINUED.


There were times, days OF depres-
sior and suffering. when his loatning
OF himself was the more bitter be-
cause OF the very respect men so read.
lily gave him. What II they could
know, what II he were suddenly and
relentlessly held up for the scorn and
Contempt he merited. his hypocrisy
made known. The hypocrisy Of his
charities, the hypocrisy Of every de-
cent utterance that fell from his lips,
placed side by side with the black
record OF his hidden act. Gibbs had
spoken of a change; and the change
was there deeper than he knew: a rot
ten spot In his conscience that was
spTeading-spreading
A moment before and he had hardly
been able TO hide his contempt for
Gibbs; now he was ready to abase
himself before him: for at his worst.
Gibbs was a blatant easy.going scamp
with a kindly generous streak In him
that had probably held him back from
much rascality.
Il expect you were a good friend to
Iandray. Gibbs; and doubtless helped
him through the worst OF his
troubles" he was moved to say.
who told you that, Jake?" asked
the general quickly.
IL don't have to be told 1t, | know
you," said Benson
II don't deserve any praise: We were
poor together at the last, and as long
as you amt got anything you can al
ford TO be- generous" He took from
his pocket a letter and handed II TO
Benson.
The envelope was unsealed and
there was no superscription. Benson
drew forth the letter 1t contained and
read It, Gibbs watched him narrowly
the while But the lawyers face was
expressionless. and told nothing or
what was passing In his mind. Hav-
Ing read the letter. Benson returned
u TO Its envelope, then he caught
Gibbs eye. 1t held a question.
"You know what Landray has writ
ten here'" he said.
Yves, Steve had me read II and the
other letter he mentions. which gave
Mrs Landray
her. asked Benson.
HE wanted her TO have the boy, II
you would do nothing for him. You
see he was sure OF her. Jake"
Yes, he could-be ere OF her: one
sen automatically.
Gibbs shot him a quick glance.
II reckon So" he said quickly.
But not OF me-" and Benson laugh
ed a little bitterly.
We'll. I gathered. not so much from
what he said as from what he didn't
say. that you and he weren't friends;
and with a stubby forefinger Gibbs
made q pattern on the polished table
With some whisky and water he had
Inadvertently spilled from his glass.
Il find it's q good thing to let death
square all grudges.' he ventured. II
think at heart he counted on you.
Jake. because OF Marian"
"I don't consider that any one has
any claim of that sort on me-" said
Benson sharply. Few men stand
more alone than do; and when
Marian died II was about the last OF
the connection-except your wife,
Gibbs"
And the boy" interjected Gibbs
hastily. You're forgetting him.
Jake"
And the boy" repeated Benson.
But his Ia rather remote claim;
and all but ruined myself on ac-
count OF Msrians father. ] suppose
IAndray told you that.
Gibbs nodded slightly. The lawyer
went on.
Julia is nearer, but you don't
seem 10 be looking to me because or
that. Gibbs"
The generals red face grew very
ed indeed. at this.
I'm not asking anything for my.
self. Jake Benson, or for my Julia.
I've stood on my own feet too long
20 want to go poking them into any
ones else shoes: when l do you can
ramp on my toes
"Oh, come, Gibbs"
"Well. don't take up with the idea
that I'm here to ask favors for my
self. for amt I've fetched you a
relative" said Gibbs
The lawyer regarded him curious
ly. Gibbs disinterestedness was
something he found exceedingly hard
TO credit.
II don't know what I shall do
about the boy he said at length.
But we will not suffer in the pres
ent: Mrs. l-andray will care for him.
He could not be In better hands"
1T was the future Steve was
tntnk1nR ABOUT Wnen ne WTOte 10
you. Jake; and IL will be pretty hard
On Mrs. Landray IL you leave the
child with her until she becomes at
tached to him, and then take him
away
MRS. Landrays attachments are
an traditional. She Is probably quite
AZ fond OF him this very minute as
she will be ten years hence
I'D almost say you were tricky,
Jake: one gets damn little satisfac-
ton out OF you," said Gibbs. He
made one or two futile efforts after
this to bring the lawyer back to the
matter he had most at heart, but
Benson baffled him. and In the end
Gibbs retired to his room considerable
" helped thither by his host, and
quite nonplussed by the others per.
vereeness.
Gibbs fingered In Benson two days
40 the lawyers guest. and on the
morning OF the third started home
to his Julia and the Golden West
Saloon. He was satisfied that ne had
acted rather Handsomely in a crisis;
and he was cheered and sustained by
the conviction that both Benson and
Virginia appeared fully sensible Of