Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-06

" 1O1Os l.ai si 0Eltti I'd.
are in any danger Of blackmail. But,
II understand the matter, you want
your mind relieved Of anxiety on the
point. Very we'll, III take the case"
"Tkat is settled, them" said tho
older man briskly. Nov, this being
strictly business deal, we will dis.
cuss terms
"Oh, there Is no room for discussion
as to my terms" said Kent easily. II
make them and you accept them, that's
ALL"
Alexander Blair's eyebrows drew
down in heavy scowl.
"Do you know Of an old lady named
circuit In Annalaka?'' pursued the
scientist.
NO"
"She owns the house just next to
Annalaka churchyard, where your son
was buried as Jane Doe. She is a very
worthy old lady. But she suffers
severely from asthma. In fact 1t keeps
her awake most of the night. So
some interested persons have sub
scribed money, and sent her south to
sanitarium. I'd like to get you inter
ested in her case"
''You wish me to subscriber"
"Oh, more than that. I think 1t
would be good idea II you were to
assume the entire expense OF the pro
ceedings."
"You mean reimburse the sub
scribers?-
Exactly"
For a few seconds the millionaire
studied Kent's candid face. Very
WELL" he agreed. "How much?"
Sheriff Schlager can tell you. He
ia keeping the accounts. You see, It
was necessary to get her out OF the
way. Her windows overlook the
churchyard."
$50 you took occasion to indicate
before"
repetition OF really relevant
point is excusable. She left, two weeks
ago. very much mystifed hut patheti-
cally thankful. poor old girl"
"She has no monopoly on being
mystified," observed Mr.. Blair, with
pursed lips.
"Ptobably she never will understand.
That's where you have the advantage
Of her, for think you'll see quite clear
~ the reason for her trip. and the
propriety Of your footing the bills
go on"
"When she was safely out Of the
way, and no longer overlooking Anna
laka churchyard by night. from her
window, Schlager, Adam Balm and |
paid visit to the place. Technically.
what we did there amounts to grave
robbery. suppose. But We covered
our tracks well, and don't think AM
body will ever discover what has been
done"
"well?" queried his hearer. with
twitching jaw.
.What lay, nameless, in Annalaka
churchyard," said Kent gravely. now
rests in It's own place at Hedgerow
House. The marks found by Gansett
Jim were made by us. So your alarm
Is groundless. But i wish that you
might have heard the little prayer
made by that simple country lawyer
over your sons grave. Once IN a
while meet with really. through
and-through good man like Adam Balm
and then I have to reconstruct my
whole formula Of the average cussed
ness OF human nature
Alexander Blair's clenched hands
went to his temples In singular ges.
|ture, and dropped again. What in,
terest did Schlager and Balm have In
the natter" be. added in low tone.
"Why, schlager had done some dirty
work for you. and wanted to even &C.
counts with his own conscience. As
for Balm, we needed third man we
could trust. asked him and got him.
Il was no small risk for him. II you
felt that his risk Is worth some re.
ward, you might
Eyes, vest" interrupted the other
eagerly. do you think thousand
or perhaps more"
Kent smiled. "By thinking hard
could think thousand" he said. "But
not more, in this case. 1t wouldn't
be safe. Balm might not survive the
shock. Thank you very much, Mr.
Blair"
"And now" said the older man, 81
am still in the dark as to your interest
in the matter"
Mine? why, for one thing, ! dis.
like to leave any affair unfinished.
have the satisfaction Of knowing now
that this Is forever settled and done
with. Besides there was promise
practically a promise-as near q prom.
Use as often permit myself to go, In
world Of accidents, errors. and I'M
certainties- to Mrs. Blair. Is
she back from Europe?"
"She is at Hedgerow House" Blair
communed with himself for a time
then said abruptly, "By the way, dc
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!"
ri will, as soon as get home
Good day" Blair hesitated. He
seemed to have difficulty 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, Il realize now
why you won't take my money. can
always buy brains; but can't buy the
bigger better thing. It isn't In the
market. Thank you!" He caught the
scientists hand in swift hand grip
and strobe of down the road
Chester Kent went back into the
IL = go u