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

yourself.
For few seconds the millionaire studied
Kent's candid face. "Very well, he agreed.
allow much2"
"Sheriff Schlager can tell you. He is keep
ing the accounts. You see, it was necessary
to get her out of the way. Her windows
overlook the churchyard. She went two
weeks ago, very much mystifed, but pathe-
tically thankful, poor old woman! And last
week on black night Schlager and l, with
the aid of Lawyer Adam Balm, dsinterred
your sons body, took it to Hedgerow House,
and buried it there where it belongs. So
much for your suspicious of grave robbery.
But wish, added Kent simply, @that you
could have heard the little prayer that
country lawyer made over your sons grave.
Once in awhile meet really through and
| have to reconstruct my whole formula of
the nature of the human spirit
Alexander Blair's clenched hands went to
his temples in a singular gesture, and
dropped again. "What interest did Schlager
and Balm have in the matter?" he added in
low tone.
"Why. Schlager had done some dirty work
for you; and wanted to even accounts with
his own conscience. As for Balm, we needed
a third man we could trust. l asked him
and got him. 1t was no small risk for him.
If you felt that his risk is worth some reward,
you might
ayes, yes!' interrupted the other eagerly.
@Do you think thousand perhaps"
ayes, l think thousand" smiled Kent.
Alexander Blair produced checkbook and
fountain pen, and handed the result of the
combination to Kent, who thanked him.
"And now, said the older man, II am still
in the dark as to your interest in the mat
ter"
aMine? Why, for one thing, l dislike to
leave any affair unfinished. have the sat-
isfaction of knowing now that this is forever
settled and done with. Besides there was
promise practically a promise-as near
promise as often permit myself to go, in
world of accidents, errors, and uncertainties
made to Mrs. Blair. Is she back from
Europe?"
4She is at Hedgerow House." Blair COM
muned with himself for a time, then said
abruptly, @By the way, do you think your
friend Mr.. Sedgwick would come over to
pickup dinner before we leave?"
Kent's face lighted up. @Ask him." said
he heartily, "and see!"
II will, as soon as get home. Good day."
Blair hesitated. He seemed to have diff
Guilty in going and embarrassment in staying.
He coughed and cleared his throat, looked
over Kent's head and down at his feet; and
finally got himself into words. "Kent,' he
blurted, II realize now why you won't take
my money. 1 can always buy brains; but
l can't buy the bigger, better thing. 1t isn't
in the market. Thank your He caught the
scientists hand in a swift, hard grip, and
strobe off down the road.
CHESTER KENT went back into the
- house with glow at his heart He
shouted upstairs to Sedgwick, go on with
your work, Frank. want to loaf and invite
my soul for an hour. Where's your reading
matter?"
"Shelf in the corner answered the artist
you'll find few things in your line
Darwin's Origin of Species, LIE Conte's-"
3The devil take Darwin" cried Kent inn
piously II want the Bah Ballads or
Alice Through the Looking Glass, or some
thing like that, really fit for an aspiring in
telect. Never mind. Illforage for myself"
Three minutes later he was stretched lux
uriously on the divan, with the windowshade
pulled down and the big electric chandelier
glowing, immersed in the joyous nonsense
of Rhyme and Reason The wind alter
nately shouted profane protests at the win
dow because it couldn't get in, and then fell
silent, waiting for an answer. In one of
these lulls Kent heard footsteps outside.
LIE dropped his book The footsteps ap-