The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-01
fcoutinued from last Sunday

fcontinued from last Sunday
exhibit that tact and delicacy
which you displayed at your last
meeting" broke in Kent curtly.
"Asklng a woman TO marry you. on
the day Of her husbands burial"
"It wasn't her husbands burial.
'She supposed IL was.
ararwick checked his nervous pac-
,nr EDO you think so? You believe
arc wasn't party TO that ghasuy
fraud"
Certainly not She attended the
funeral ceremony In good ialtn ~ ~
NV belief the real circumstances OF
Blafr's death are as unknown TO her
as they are too you.
Assuming always that he fs dead.
Your confidence being so sound II
must he based on something. How did
he come TO his death ??
eff / knew that, ! shouldn't De go,
,nr to Boston to consult an astrologer
Have you still got astrology on
the brain p
"Hopelessly." smiled Kent.
Luck so with you. And l." .
Eyes, and your queried Kent, as
II am going back to Hedgerow
House" concluded the artist obsti-
nateiy.
III were employed TO work on
this case" observed Kent dispassion-
ately; If IL were a. mere COMMISSION,
undertaken on money terms, i should
throw 1t up right here and now" He
took long. strong pull at the extern
ssou end of his ear and whisued
bar or two OF Pagliacci. DO you
know room ST. at the Eyrie?" he ask
ed abruptly. r
temple of white silence. Isn't it?'
Correct Humor me thus far.
Walk IN to the hotel Give this card
to the clerk Get the key. Go to that
room at once. Lie down on your back
with your eyes open, and think for
one hour by the watch. If at the end
of that time you still believe you re
right go ahead. VIII you do itf'
Agreed. It's a bargain. But II
won't change my mind
"A bargains bargain II won't
need to-" said Kent coolly. by that
time. IL I have any understanding of
Mr.. Alexander Blair. he will have put
your Lady of Mystery on the morning
train which leaves for Boston by one
of the other roads. II not--why. you
may take your chance"
'.Trickedt" said Sedgwick. We'll
/ owe you too much 10 go back on my
agreement. But--see here, Kent.
She's going to Boston. YOU'RE going
to Boston. You can easily find out
where the Blairs live. Go to her for
me and find"
Heaven Forbid" cried Kent pious-
why"
Haven't I told you that I am a
timid creature and especially about
females? Over seventy 1 like 'em
and under seven / love 'em. Between.
] shun 'em. I'll do anything for you
but that. my boy" he concluded, as
ha train Sarna rum bling n
Then ! shall have to follow. and
look her up myself" returned his
friend. I'm wire you before come.
Goodbye
by the way" said Kent, leaning
out from the car step upon which he
had swung himself don be disturb
ed II you miss that drawing which we
bought from Elder bennett at bar
gain
Miss it7 Why. where is it7"
In my suit case"
What's 1t doing there
why, you see. II it's a sketch for
a finished portrait by Elliott, az / sus-
poet. some of the art people in Boston
might recognize IT. Good luck!
hope not to see you soon: too soon
that is"
Chance and "A deranged railway
schedule conspired against the peace
OF mind OF the shy and shrinking Kent
Outside OF Boston few miles liz a
junction and a crossing. Here Kents
train was held up by some minor ac-
cident Here. too. the train from the
north on the other road stopped for
orders. Thus it was that Kent, step
ping out to take the air. found him
self looking into an open Pullman
window, at a woman's face framed
IN deepest black: a young face, but
saddened and weary, whose unforget-
able appeal Of usefulness had looked
out DD6n him from the IN
Sedgwick's studio.
Mrs. Blairi"
For once in his life, Chester Kent's
controlled tongue had broken the
leash. Immediately he would have
given considerable sum of money
70 recall his impulsive exclamation.
lie was IN an agony Of shyness But
II was too late. The girlish face
turned. The composed eyes scanned
serious-looking man of indetermi-
nate age, clad in the cool elegance of
light gray, and obviously harassed by
some catastrophe Embarrassment.
Il beg PIP pardon" suffered the
man. Are you Mr.. Blair. I'm Mrs.
Kent"
AT this astonishing announcement
amusement bleamed in the woman's
eyes, and gave a delicate up-twist to
the corners OF the soft mouth
don't recognize you in your pres
emf attire. Mrs. Kent" she murrnured
NO. or course not I--I-mearit
to say-that is you konw-" Kent
gathered his forces, resolved desnere
ately to see 1t through now. Urn
MN Mrs Blair and l suppose you re
Mr.. Kent"
The soft music of her laughter
made Kent savage. Damn" he NUT
tered beneath his breath; and then
went direct to the point. There are
;hings / want to speak to you about,
wish 10 get on your car"
Certainly not" replied she 10
clslyely. Il do not know you."
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