The Detroit times., 1913-06-14
CHAPTER ThiRVY.FouR.
(contlnved.l

TO be yawning at his feet. What
~ chance was 1t that had left her &C
y.acouainted with her own affairs
ali the business he had transacted
her. she had signed the necessary
liners without even looking At them
abe sold the wild land, the acreage
build be manager.
"You remember, don't you, that this
nd ia youra? That when Anna mar.
ed Il was agreed that you were 70
he over this property In lieu of an
creased equity which Stephen was
have In the mill and farm? sim
~ wish to recall this point to your
Kind 80 that you will understand why
lis Is q transaction that does not In
plve stephen in any way"
She knew what was In his mind. and
hid reproachfully:
YOU don't like Stephen"
mo, / don't" he answered frankly.
lis tone was one OF bitter hostility.
but why? You always seemed to
no him up to the time he enlisted"
aid Virginia.
Didn't that furnish me with sum
lent excuse to change in my feelings
bward him; what more was needed"
emanded Benson harshly. He should
ave remained with you, Virginia; he
I'D no right to enlist; that he did.
|as sheer wrong-headedness We
uarreled over that; at least, told
i'm what thought OF his conduct. and
suppose he was offended by IT,"
But he was carried away by the
Enthusiasm of those times. He was
My a bOy-he became involved be-
pre- he knew what he was doing, and
hen II was too late to draw back. Re-
hember. he had all boys foolish
ride" she urged gently.
81 offered to take his place If he
Iould stay here with YOU" said Ben
on almost roughly. He wanted her
know just what he would have done
or her. he was hungry for approval
You offered to take his place. she
aid in surprise; yet not quite I'M
Outstanding what he meant by this.
"Yes, was willing to go in his
|lace. Can't you guess what prompt.
Id me to make the Offer?'
They were silent for a moment. then
Virginia raised her eyes to his, and
be met her glance with look Of dumb
ppeal
II thank you as much for what you
aye sought TO do for me. as for what
Tou have actually done, Mr.. Benson.
X have seemed ungrateful--"
III you would let me" he burst
'ut "There-forgive me, Virginia,
ont want to offend you. What were
We saying? Oh. Stephen-he had as
httle business to marry as he had to
nlist. Id have prevented that II 1
ould, but | couldn't. His folly was
In of a piece, am angry whenever
think Of it,
II wonder what he will do when he
ZONES back, said Virginia
Benson said nothing. The farm
Mould not have been lost but fO-
Btephen's selnshness. This. had there
been any other lacking. would have
kiven him an excuse to hate the young
fellow, and he was ready now to hate
Iii the world.
1T Is not too late for him to take
hp the study Of law again" suggested
Virginia.
Not too late If he thinks that Is
What nc wants. said Benson briefly.
He went on in gentler tone. But
(vhy do you worry about him. Nir-
Einia: what's the use? He will have
bis own plans, and you will forgive
|ne, he will prefer them to any plans
lou can make for him. You know him
we'll enough to know that"
But may I not think that you Will
hid him where you can? That you
will interest yourself In his FUTURE
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders
and frowned.
II told you ] have not forgiven him
Tor his selfish ingratitude to you; but,
WE'LL shall probably end by doing
whatever you want me 10 do. Per-
haps that was not very generously
said. We have gotten away from the
land: you are satisfied with the offer,
you think you will accept it?'
"You advise me to; do you not!'
took up his hat from the chair where
he had placed 1t when he entered the
room.
Tomorrow, perhaps, I shall bring
the deed for you to look over and
sign,' he said, as he made ready to
take his leave Of her.
But who wishes to buy the Iand?"
asked Virginia.
Page Stark" said Benson, turning
back into the room. You probably
know that he has always dabbled in
cheap lands"
Page Stark was the old bankers
son, a reserved and silent fellow. and
Benson had arranged with him to act
for him In the purchase Of the land.
There was no one else whom he could
30 fully trust to hold his tongue.
IL can't 20 on with this" he told
himself as he Quilted the house, and
for the moment he felt that he must
abandon the whole project. But when
he reached his ONCE he found tele-
gram on his desk. 1t was from South
erland, reminding him Of the promise
he had made that he would be back In
Wheeling by the first Of the week. 1t
was now Saturday. This moved Ben.
son to furious anger; he tore up the
telegram with swift, nervous jerks.
and tossed the scraps into his waste
paper basket. Damn the fool. why
does he bother me-" he cried. Does
he suppose have nothing else TO
think OF! He'll be surprised when I
write him that the deals on.
But did he dare write Sutherland
this?
On Monday came another telegram;
the Wheeling man was evidently grow
Ing FESTIVE under the delay. This Sec
ond telegram threw Benson into some
thing of a panic. Suppose Sutherland