Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-14

ON JANOAN1 - l9lZ
faction that had befallen old Mrs. Orcutt
late in February, enabling her to leave her
home next to Annalaka churchyard and take
her asthma southwark in search of cure;
the rumor that Hedgerow House was to be
sold before summer.
1And young Blair's body along with it,
expect" remarked the Elder malevolently.
Seems to me, if | was millionaire like
Alexander Blair, l wouldn't sell my own
flesh and blood, dead or alive"
Of Alexander Blair himself, nothing had
been seen in the neighborhood since mid
July, nor of his daughter in law. Hedgerow
House was in charge of Gansett Jim as care
taker. Professor Kent had left about the
same time as the Blairs. But Francis Sedg-
wick had stuck to the Nook, studying first
the cold grays and browns of November, and
later the wonderful, blazing whites and
subtle blues of drift and shadow spread be-
fore him in winters endless panorama, with
the same enthusiasm that he had devoted
to October's riot of color. Though the work
had prospered, the worker had paled. 1t
was the opinion of Martindale Center and
Annalaka alike that the painter Teller was
looking right peaky and piny, like one whose
conscience ached But Sedgwick had moth
ing worse than heartache, and the Fates
were making medicine for that.
X/IND-BORNE on the blast of mid
" March gale, Chester Kent dropped
down at the door of the Nook one wild
afternoon, without warning. AS always, he
was impeccably clad, though his stout boots
showed the usage of recent hard wear. Leav-
ing Austin that morning, with his light
valise slung to his shoulder, he had footed
the fifteen miles of soggy earth to Sedgwick's
place, luxurious tussle against the wind.
Throwing open the door, he called his
friends name.
Instantly the artist came Looping down the
stairs and had him by the shoulders
give got a caller upstairs, he said after
the usual greetings and questionings were
over.
ayes? Have you gone in for local So
ciety?'
@Not exactly local. It's Alexander Blair"
@Hel-lo!' said Kent in surprise. what
brings him?'
@Why, he came down to Hedgerow House
| to look after certain books and papers, and
ran over here to make his amende honorable
in form. Chef, hate being apologized to"
"Of course. Everyone does. Neverthe-
less, it good exercise for Mr.. A. Blair, Esq.
Brings into action some muscles of his soul
that might otherwise have atrophied from
disuse"
@He's the grim jawed, hard bitted Blair
of old Just the same, he made his apology
as handsomely as need be. I'll bring him
down here"
The fabric magnate descended from the
studio and greeted Kent briefly, then turned
to his host. 3You will excuse me if l ask
Mr.. Kent to step outside. l have some
business with him.
1Stay here said the artist @Ill go back
| to my studio Which he did.
WHEN man once declines employment
| w with me" said Alexander Blair to
Kent, Il never give him a second chance.
That rule am going to break. need your
assistance
| 1Honored, indeed!" murmured Kent
| twill you accept the commission"
| "Not if it is like your former offer"
at is not. 1t is bona fide Someone has
been tampering with my sons grave"
| @You mean the grave at Hedgerow
House?'
ayes. Gansett Jim reports that there are
signs of recent digging. 1t looks as if ghou1s
had been at work there, with the idea of get
ting the body and holding it for ransom
"Whereas, all they could have found
would have been coffin"
| Certainly. But suppose they discovered