Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-04-26
1T wasn't her husbands burial"
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1T wasn't her husbands burial"
"She supposed 1t was"
Sedgwick checked his nervous pac-
ing. do you think 80? You believe
she wasn't party to that ghastly
fraud?"
Certainly not. She attended the
funeral ceremony In good faith. In my
belief the real circumstances OF
Blair's death are as unknown to her
as they are TOTO you"
assuming always that he is dead.
Your confidence being so sound. 1t
must be based on something. How did
he come to his death?"
III I knew that, shouldn't be going
to Boston to consult an astrologer."
Have you still got astrology on the
brain?"
'.Hopelessly," smiled Kent.
Luck 60 with you. And L"
"Yes: and you?" queried Kent. as
the other hesitated.
II am going back to Hedgerow
House," concluded the artist obsti-
nately.
If were employed to work on this
CASE" observed Kent dispassionately;
"if 1t were a mere commission, under
taken ON money terms, should throw
It up right here and now" He took a
strong pull at the extension end of his
ear, and whistled bar or two Of
Pagliacci. do you know room ST. at
the Eyrie?" he asked abruptly.
mo. Yes; l do. too. That's your
temple of white silence, isn't it,"
Correct. Humor me thus far. Walk
up 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 II at the end Of that time,
you still believe you're right, go ahead.
Will you do IT."
agreed. It's bargain. But it won't
change my mind"
"A bargains bargain. 1t won't
need to-" said Kent cody. 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"
"Tricked!" said Sedgwick. well. I
owe you too much to 90 back { n my
agreement. But-see here, Kent. She's
going to Boston You're going to Bos-
ton. You can easily find our where the
Blairs live. Go to her for me and
find"
Heaven forbid!" cried Kent piously.
"Why*'
Haven't I told you that am a
timid creature and especially about
females? Over seventy I like EN-, and
under seven I love EN-. Between, I
shun 'em. I'll do anything for you but
that. my boy" he concluded, as the
train came rumbling in.
Then I shall have to follow. and
look her up myself" returned his
friend "rll wire you before come.
Good-by."
"By the way" said Kent leaning
out from the car step upon which he
had swung himself, don't be dis
turbed II you miss that drawing which
we bought from Elder bennett. at a
bargain"
Miss it? Why, where is it,"
I'm my suit case" s
WHATS 1t doing there?"
why, you see, If it's sketch for a
finished portrait by Elliott, as sus-
pect, some Of the art people in Boston
might recognize it. Good luck! I hope
not to see you soon; too soon, that is"
Chance and deranged railway
schedule conspired against the peace
of mind of the shy and shrinking Kent.
Outside of Boston few miles is a
junction and crossing. Here Kent's
train was held up by some minor acct
dent. Here. too, the train from the
north on the other road stopped for
orders. Thus 1t was that Kent, stepping
out to take the air, found himself
looking into an open Pullman window,
at woman's face framed In deepest
black: young face. but saddened and
weary, whose unforgetable appeal of
usefulness had looked out upon him
from the canvas in Sedgwick's studio.
MRS. Blair"
For once In his life, Chester Kent's
controlled tongue had broken the
leash. Immediately he would have
given a considerable sum Of money to
recall his impulsive exclamation. He
was in an agony OF shyness. But it was
too late. The girlish face turned. The
composed eyes scanned serious
looking man of indeterminate age,
clad in the cool elegance of light gray,
and obviously harassed by some
catastrophe embarrassment.
II beg p-p-pardon," suffered the
man "Are you Mr.. Blair? I am Mrs.
Kent
At this astonishing announcement,
amusement cleaned in the woman's
eyes, and gave delicate up-twist to
the corners of the soft mouth.
II don't recognize you in your
present attire, Mrs. Kent" she muir
INJURED.
"No. or course not. I--I-meant to
say-that is you know" Kent gath
cred his forces. resolved desperately
to see 1t through now. 'tI'm M-M-Mrs.
Blair and suppose you're Mr.. Kent"
The soft music of her laughter made
Kent savage. DAMN he muttered
beneath his breath; and then went
direct to the point There are things
want to speak to you about. I wish
to get on your car"
Certainly not" replied she de.
cisively. ''I do not know you"
II am a friend of Francis Sedg-
wick's."
The warm blood flushed her cheeks