The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-03-18

not afford perhaps TO follow II. VI
course I know that the newspapers Of
ten exaggerate." admitted the count
ess. perhaps they have about you"
"Think so? Why?'
The Countess Vecchi gazed at the
clear skinned. chubby face of Mr.. De-
vine
"Well, you don't look at all as had
expected"
Horns and hoofs not in evidenceY'
chuckled the Cherub.
You know what i mean," protested
the countess. Zone can usually recog-
nize the marks of-of dissipation"
"Oh, you can't always tell by the
looksv'
mo, you cannot" she said decidedly,
land papa is quite certain that you are
an improper person"
TOO wicked for you to eat dinner
with, am Il"
Papa thinks so.''
"And he has read the newspapers,
eh: All right. But it's dull business
eating alone"
II couldn't make up for the absence
of forty chorus girls" She delivered
this parting shot over her shoulder.
But Mr.. Devine had not seen the
last of the countess for that night. In
Il moment she came back.
IL hope l did not say too MUCH"
she began, glancing timidly at him.
"Iou are not offended, are your
Mr.. Devine smiled reassuringly. DO
look very savage"
Il was afraid, you know, that on
thinking it over about the clippings
and SO on you might be angry. If you
should meet my father you wouldn't
say anything about it. would you?'
There was look in her eyes which
somehow made the Cherub feel as if
he had been shaking a club at her.
''Not word from me. Why. I
would act as if we were the best of
friends
Papa, you know. is merely shocked
and indignant at the wild things you
do. He thinks that you should be re-
strained or punished, but l believe
that perhaps it is all owing to the in
fuences which surround you-your
companions, you know, and the men
you meet in business. They are not
very nice men. are they?"
Most Of them manage to keep out
Of jail
Yes. Of course. But, tell me, don't
they drink heavily and gamble and
and do other things which they
shouldn't:''
"Well. there are a good many high
rollers in our bunch
''And they lead you on to do as they
do, don't they? And there isn't any
one to tell YOU that you are worthy of
better things? l knew it! But If you
could be brought into contact with q
different class. if you could mingle
with persons in the higher grades of
society. | am sure you would wish to
live differently
Think l ought to go in for society,
do you?" The Cherub's beaming face
presented a picture of complacent in
tereSt.
well, in way. OF course you
would find it difficult to step at once
into the best society, but you could
make 4 beginning
Il could work up, eh?'
ut would be slow, there is so much
reserve about our best families. I'D
fact. there are certain circles which
you would probably find it impossible
to enter
Couldn't break in with an AK, sup
pose:'
The countess smiled. "You have
such an odd way of putting things. 1t
wouldn't be necessary for you to en-
ter the most exclusive sets, but there
are plenty CT Eice people that you
could meet-that is, if you wanted to
change your associates
you think it would be good
scheme. do you?'
"Oh. splendid. You'll not mind my
speaking 10 you about it, will YOU?
You see. | have wanted for a long
time to do something Of the kind for
some one. Our bishop has urged me
to go into home missionary work.
have tried. but the villagers here are
SO unresponsivc that l haven't had
much success"
well, you can try any kind of re-
form on me that you like
ooh, the bishop will be delighted
when / tell him."
Its wbat you might call stroke
of Incl; for both Of us, isn't il = qucried
the Chcrub. But j,,@t INV arc you
going to tac,;lc the job?
I'm sure don't know" Perplexi-
ty dwelt in the brown eyes for an ill.,
slant. "It is my idea, you know, that
personal influence and example count
for a good deal. If / could only talk
to you about your reckless habits
"Well, why not? There'll be all day
tomorrow"
But probably ] shall not see you
again. Papa doesn't expect me to-
''Oh, say, you're not going to stay
shut up in your rooms all day, are
you?''
"Exccnt Err . little walk II tae gar
Cen right after breakfast"
about 8 o'clock eh? I'll be there"
mo. no, you mustn't! That is, you
mustn't plan to be there. OF course il
it should be purely by accident
''I'll sec to that part Of it, all right.
You'll be in the garden, will your
The countess hesitated Then she