The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-27
The Fortunes of the LandrayS
By Vaughan Kester Author Of 1 the r Us,:s. .s
Author Of "The Pr0dtgsl Judge.
.Just and the Unjust" etc.
By Vaughan Hester

I steps 1t would be necessary 10 take
TO raise money sufficient for her TO
| make the journey.
| This note resulted in immediate &C
ton on Bensons part. He saw Judge
Brady and told him he expected To
leave for California the first OF the
following week: then he drove at
once TO the farm to inform Virginia or
his decision.
| When he reached the farm he found
| Virginia and Jane, with James baby.
seated under an old apple-tree that
grew by the corner OF the house. He
had tied his horse In the lane by the
bars, and as he crossed the yard to-
ward them Virginia advanced 10 meet
him.
You received my note?" she asked,
as they shook hands.
Yes. and your doubt Of me was not
unmerited. | must have seemed hor-
rbly dilatory 10 you: but my plans
are all made: shall start this day
week can understand that TO you
| | have seemed to go forward very
slowly In this matter.
Did | seem very inpatient" asked
Virginia humbly but he saw there
were depths OF suffering back or the
| light his words had kindled In her
eyes: and his conscience troubled him
not little that he had withheld the
comfort his departure on this mission
of his. would have given her.
Not In the least. am fully alive
| TO your anxiety; your patience has
been greater than | expected" he as
sured her.
Il fear | am too willing to let you
go: but | shall never forget, Mr.. Ben
! she raised her beautiful face to his
yond mere words.
Il am ashamed" he burst out gen.
erously TO have let anything detain
me-"
1T has been my terrible anxiety
| that has made the days SO slow in
passing. Won't you come and see
never seen the baby. Mr.. Benson"
with a poor attempt at gaiety.
But q pail was upon the three. Jane
greeted him with pathetic gentle
ness OF manner that was meant to
take the place OF the words she dared
not speak He turned from her only
.
ness and he was troubled and i'll at
ease; yet he made tolerable success
of maintaining that air OF judicial
composure in which he usually took
refuge when he came near to suffer.
ing. He even made certain tentative
and austere attempts at playfulness
with the baby; and then he drifted
into small talk which he felt to be at
leaden as 1t was small. When at last
he rose to take his leave he said to
Mrs. Walsh:
Il hope shall come back with good
news for YOU" and he held out his
hand in farewell His words brought
them sharply back to the actualities.
Jane looked up quickly from the sew
ing which her small hands now clutch
ed despairingly.
"Good-bye." and then low cry
broke from her. You will bring them
back?" and her tears began to fall.
Il shall try" he said gravely. But
we must all be hopeful" Then he
looked into virginia's serious eyes,
and caught the tremor OF her lips;
and was silent What right had he
to speak his senseless platitudes: he
who was on the outside OF all this sor-
SOW?
He turned away; Virginia followed
him, and they moved In silence across
the lawn. 1t was Virginia who spoke
first.
You will write me as each stage
of your journey 10 finished; won't you,
Mr.. Benson? And you will leave moth
ing undone? You will not come back
until you know" She dwelt upon the
last word with almost tragic insist
ence. Her wistful glance searched his
face. Forgive me, | know | have no
right to question 1t. but you will not
rest content until you have exhausted |
every source from which knowledge
may be cleaned? Days and weeks.
even months, will not count with
your"
Neither weeks nor months shall
count with me. ! shall do all that
money and devotion can do. ! shall
not turn back until I know" he said |
simply.
II am sure OF Il, Mr.. Benson: and |
I thank you again and again"
Il shall go direct to Fort Laramie"
he said We know they have reach
ed there in safety: from there on
them. may be able to send you let !
tiers after leave Fort Laramie; ] will |
II | meet any parties OF returning emil |
grants. At any rate you will hear
from me when | reach Salt Lake. II !
] find they passed through Salt Lake. |
/ shall push on to the coast. and pur- |
r,On MUM ~0Ous ~Ap~ -0~