Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-10

III along the woods browning the stony
slopes of Jim Bluedge's pastures; but
50 then the line of the dusk began and
from that level it filled the valley, washing
with transparent blue the buildings scattered
about the bridge, Jim's house and horse-sheos
and hay-barns Franks store, and Camoens
blacksmith shop.
OF the three brothers Cam was the dumb one.
He seldom had anything to say. 1t v as provi-
Dental (folk said) that of the three enterprises
at the Crossing one was smlthy; 1or WMhe
he was a strong, big, hungry-muscled fellow, ne
never would have had the shrewdness to run the
store or the farm. He was better at pounding
pounding while the fire Redeemed and the
sparks few, and thinking, and letting other
people wonder what he was thinking or
Blossom Bluedge, his brothers wife, sat perch
ed on the top bar of the paddock gate holding
her skirts around her ankles with trife too
much care to be quite unconscious, and watched
him work
you'd have thought Jim would be home be-
fore this, wouldn't you, Camp"
Her brother -in-1aw said nothing.
He was too dumb for any use. He was as oump
as this: When all three Of the Bluedge boys
were after her year ago, Frank the seoie-
keeper had brought her candy-chocolateS
wrapped in silver foil In two-pound Boston
hoy Jim had laid before her the Bluedge farm
and with it the dominance Of the valley ana
Camden! To the daughter of Ed Beck, the apple
grower, Camden had brought box OF appleS!-
and been bewildered too when, Tor all sne
IL, -
mouth and run into the house TO have ner
giggle
Camden" she reverted suddenly. "Ten me
one thing, did you hear"
She stopped there. Some people were coming
into the kitchen yard, dark forms in the grow
ing darkness Most of them fingered at the
porch, sitting on the steps and lighting tner
pipes. The one that came out was FRANK tne
second of her brothers-in-law. She was glad.
Frank wasn't like Camden, he would talk Turn"
1uoa md taking of her skirts, she gave MIN
q bright and siSterly smile.
well Frankie what's the crowd?"
TAR from avoiding the smile, as Camden's
habit was. the Storekeeper returned 1t with
brotherly wink for good measure. "Oh, they're
tired Of waiting down the road, so they come
up here to see the grand arrival" He was some
thing Of man of the world; In his calling he
had acquired fine turn of skepticiSm. Don't
want to miss being on hand to see what flaws
they can pick in 'Jim's five hundred dollars
Wurth of experiment."
Frank, amt you the least bit worried over
jim? So late?"
Don't see why. Had all the men from Perry's
stables there in Twinshead to help him get the
animal of the freight and he took an extra
rope and the log chain and the heavy wagon, so
guess no matter how wild and wo0lly the
animal is he'll scarcely be climbing in over the
tailboard. Besides, them Western horses amt
such a big breed even stallion"
IAN the same-Clook the other way, Frankie)
-" clipping her ankles over the rail- Blossom
Jumped down beside him. Listen, Frank, tell
me something, did you hear-did you hear the
reason Jms getting him cheap was because
he killed a man out West there what's-its-
name, Wyoming?"
Frank was taking of his sleeve protectors, the
pins in his mouth. 1t was Camden at the bars,
speaking in his sudden deep rough way, who
told you that?"
Frank got the pins out Of his mouth II guess
what is it, Blossie, what's mixed you up is his
having that name Blue Murder"
Jim had arrived. With clatter Of hoofs
and rattle of wheels he was in the yard and
come to a standstill, calling aloud as he threw
the lines over the team, well, friends, here
we are"
The curious began to edge around, closing .
cautious circle. The dusk had deepened, so
that it was hard to make anything at any dis
lance Of Jim's experiment" but blurry sil-
houette anchored at the wagons tail.
"Oh, Jim, I'm so glad you come. I been so
worried; gi me kissl"
The farmer Redeemed cycling the cloud or
witnesses He felt awkward and wished she
could have waited. "Get along, didn't tell
you fellows?" he cried with trace Of the
Bluedge temper. $50 wait In the kitchen, then;
III tell you all about everything soon's come
in. Well, now-wife-
Camden wasn't looking at them. Still stand
ing with his hammer two-fsted and his legs