Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-09-23
CHAPTER XVI.
Chance Cika La

MartindaIe Center station wait
ing for the morning train to Bos-
ton. Before him paced Sedgwick. with
face Of storm.
This is something must DO for my
SELF" the artist declared. 'Chet, l
must see her again" pleaded Sedg-
wick. II must
Exhibit that tact and delicacy
which you displayed at your last meet
Ing" broke in Kent CURLY. Asking
a woman to marry you on the day of
her husbands burial!"
ut wasn't her husbands burial"
"She supposed it was"
Sedgwick checked his nervous pac-
ing. "Do you think so? You believe
she wasn't a party to that CHASTITY
| 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. it
must be based on something. How did
he come to his death?"
IF I knew that l shouldn't be going
to Boston to consult an astrologer.
And you
II am going back to Hedgerow
house." concluded the artist Obsti-
nately.
DO you know Room ST. at the
Eyrie?" asked Kent abruptly.
No. Yes; do too
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 be-
lieve you're right go ahead. Will you
do it?"
Agreed. It's a bargain But it
won't change my mind"
"A bargains a bargain. 1t won't
need to- said Kent coolly. by that
time, if 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. If not. why, you
may take your chance"
"Tickled!'' said Sedgwick. well, l
owe you too much to go back on my
agreement But-see here, Kent She S
going to Boston. You're going to Bos-
ton. You can easily find out where
the Blairs live Go to her for me and
fnd"-
Heaven forbddr' cried Kent piously.
"Why?"
| fnl6 h0f I q q
timid creature and especially about fe-
males? Over seventy l like 'em, and
= under seven I love 'em. Between l
f shun 'em. I'll do anything for you but
| that. my boy" he concluded as the
train came rumbling in.
Then l shall have to follow and
look her up myself" returned bis
! friend "I'll wire you before I come.
Goodby."
by the way" said Kent leaning
out from the car step upon which he
had swung himself, don't be disturb
! ed If you miss that drawing which we
bought from Elder bennett at a bar
gain"
e Miss it? Why, where is tt?'
I'm my suit case"
e whats it doing there?'
"Why, you see, if it's a sketch for g
finished portrait by Elliott, as I sus
pect, some Of the art people in Boston
might recognize it. Good luck! l hope
not to see you soon-too soon, that Isl
Chance and a deranged railway
+ schedule conspfred against the lpeact
;, Of mind Of the shy and shrinking Kent
=, Outside Of Boston few miles Is {
junction and a crossing. Here Kent's
< train was held up by some minor &C
. cident- Here, too. the train from thu
north on the other road stopped TO-
orders. Thus it was that Kent, step
a ping out to take the air, found himself
!, looking into an open Pullman windov
@ at a woman's face framed in deepes
y black.
Mrs. Blair
}. For once in hts life Chester Kent
controlled tongue had broken the leash
Immediately he would have given
= considerable sum of money to reca
II his impulsive exclamation He was i
an agony of shyness- But it was to
late. The girlish face turned
S. Il beg p-p-pardon." suffered the mar
=. Are you Mr.. Blair? I'm Mrs. Kent. :"
IN At this astonishing announcement
+: amusement cleaned in the woman
IN
of eyes and gave delicate up twist
s. the corners of the soft mouth
s. II don't recognize you in your pre-:
ent attire. Mrs Kent" she murmuret
re mo. OF course not I-I-meant t
30 say-that is. you know Kent gail
lg cred his forces. resolved desperately I
b. see it through now. There are thing
~ l want to speak to you about l wis
t. to get on your car
To- Certainly not" replied she DECISIVE
ID ~. II do not know you"
o1 II am a friend Of Francis Sed.
i'd wick. Try to believe me when tie
you that I wish only to save both {