The Detroit times., 1913-07-04


difficult even than stephen had con-
ceived II would be With singular
patience and tact. Wade left him
alone with his purpose. and when
they met, carefully avoided all allu-
sion TO the halfhearted promise
stephen had given him that day they
left his aunt's
The days wasted. and he did moth
ing. He would tell Benson some
evening. But for a week Gibbs was
a guest at dinner each night, and the
opportunity was denied him His
courage grew cold, his self-imposed
task became more and more difficult
as he waited.
The responsibility he had assumed,
imbittered him against his aunt and
he hated the very sight OF Wade.
Why had he ever been urged TO this
step II Benson promptly turned
him into the street, IL would be no
more than he might expect: certainly
he should never question the justice
Of the act.
But at last his opportunity came.
They were at last alone together,
Gibbs had gone home from the of.
selves: now was his chance. But
he was slow TO avail himself Of II.
However. Benson himself furnished
him with an opening, They had left
the dinner table and were seated in
the library
Stephen, he said quietly, what
was II that Crittendon sent your
aunt, have you ever heard?'
stephen started.
"Oh. yes" he said
IL didn't know; you never men,
toned the matter trust your aunt
was not distressed on receiving the
papers--they were papers, were they
mott"
Yes. papers
"A letter, perhaps" said Benson.
Stephens reticence struck him as
being odd. He glanced sharply at
him
NO, it was not letter" said Ste
phen slowly. Merely some business
papers.
Benson turned toward him quickly.
What is that you tell me-" he
asked. "All OF Stephen Landrays pa
pers were in my hands
Jake; accounts and memorandum OF
one sort and another"
oh, see" said Benson dryly.
There is one matter they don't
quite understand faltered Stephen.
What's that" asked Benson.
Why, it seems it is something
about a thousand acres of land he
hesitated.
"Yes?" said Benson, but his cheeks
grew like white parchment. There
was brief pause.
1T seems" said Stephen, with
stolid determination-"It seems my
grandfather and his brother owned
some land my aunt knew nothing
about" he came TO painful pause.
What do you mean. Stephen" ask
ed Benson In his usual calm voice.
she was certainly informed by me. -
NO, she only knew OF one thousand
acres. and 1t appears there were two
thousand"
And l suppose your aunt does not
understand" said Benson, smiling
family
Stephen took heart at this.
Il told them there was some mis-
take" he said impulsively
The lawyer drew in his breath
sharply.
"Oh, it's that is it. and you told
them it was a mistake? Whom do
you mean by-them?" he added sharp
ly.
Ben Wade, and my aunt
SO Ben's advising her. Benson
seemed TO be making mental note
of this for subsequent reference
He's been going over the old ac-
counts for her-yes."
And what do they find?" demand
ed Benson calmly.
The young fellow looked at him
wretchedly.
You can speak quite frankly to
me, Stephen he said with dignity.
I'm almost fifty years of active prac-
tice this Is not the first explanation
that has been asked Of me. | am not
so sensitive as you appear to think"
my aunt was always under the i'm.
preston, Uncle Jake, that she sold
you only a thousand acres Of land"
II was not the purchaser. She'd
better refresh her memory there.
Stark bought the land merely act
ed for her in the matter"
She is sure Stark only paid for
thousand acres"
(Continued)
uAI1 Dwfs tlro lsxlx