Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-05-19


That was your mistake. You've
been in communication with n smooth
young chap who couldn't resist the
chance to play II new bunko game for
all 1t was worth. How we're the let
tiers signed which came from the count
after he was sent TO that sanitarlum"
by his secretary, believe. Per
T.. 6. That was IT,"
Sure. And the +. c. stood for
Francois Cunetto. I've had heart to
heart talk with Francois and got his
whole history. AS you might guess
by his name. he's half French and
half Italian. which Is not a bad COM
bination. There was good blood on
both sides. but no money on either.
so that's why be didn't finish the med
zeal course that he came over here to
take When his funds ran out nc goes
bacl. to Italy, drifts up into Switzcr.
land and gets a job as assistant house
doctor in this Snntarium where they
were trying to cure Count Necchl OF
seeing pink whiskered tadpocs and
other vuricgated fauna"
Really. now. Mr.. Devine!" protested
Mr.. IIewington.
"Why shy SO at the facts:" asked
the Chcrub. Count or TO count. that
was his complaint Why. his nerves
were in such shape he couldn't even
sign his name to a letter. Ard that's
where young Dr Cunetto WAS let in.
When the counts remittance from you
a xt,t 1.,tto
Francois. lie gets him TO cash your
check, too. and Francois learns the
whole story about the runaway count
esq ard her rich fnther Then the
count dies A delayed check Gomez
in. ard the dc,''or is tempted to see
that tie money isn't wasted: also he
observes that the passing Of the count
is kept quiet. 1t occurs to him that you
hadn't been notified .. the sad event.
That being the case he secs 10 reason
why The rcmittances shouldn't con-
tinue. so he keeps you posted on the
dates when they're due. See how 1t
works out?'
"Why, the scoupdrel." exclaimed
Mr.. IIewington. i've been swindlcd !
shnll write to him at once and
NO need to write. He's over here.
He's coming TO call on you this after
noon
THE impudent rascal. Why. IL
shall have him apprehended.
II hope not" said the Cherub mild
~. That would complicate things.
We Didn't treat him very we'll the
last time he was here"
The last time" echoed MIR. Hew.
ington.
Yes. He was the chap we had
shut up in the icehouse. you know.
He was scouting around to see what
style you lived in before he played his
cards"
The unprincipled wretch
''IIe isn't as honest as he might be.
but then circumstances have been
against him
IL shall refuse TO hear word from
him, sir" declared Mr.. Hewington
Now. that's too bad. He's coming
TO refund the amount he tricked you
out Of. You see, I've taken him on
my private stan and advanced him
six months pay, so he could start
square. Isn't that better than getting
into legal snarl with him. eh:"
But | fail to understand. MIR. De
vine. What Is your motive in doing
this"
at has something to do with the
countess" he confessed
The countess, Pray. Mr.. Devire.
kindly leave my daughter out Of this
discussion"
Not much declared tine Cherub
Say. you might Just as we'll get used
to it now as later. think whole
lot Of your daughter. Mr.. Hcwington."
Indeed. sir. Your impudcncc is as
founding. trust that you are not so
presumptuous as 70 suppose that your
-er-your regard is in any measure
returnedT'
That Just describes the case, Mr.
Iewington At least did have some
such idea until this fool Francois mud
died things up for me. Do you know
what he told the countess;'
IL nm not interested. SIR
Maybe not. but want you to listen.
Just the same. and want you 10 let
him tell his revised story to the count
cog. Why, see here. SIZE thinks
locked that chap up because l was in
terestL in his wife Says be didn't
mean to tell any such yarn. but he
was posing as the count, and she
couldn't see him. and it Just naturally
slipped out. Nice position to nut m"
in, wasn't IT."
But Mr. Hewington shook his head
mulishly.
But. great Scott" protested the
Cherub. 'he meant that was In
love with the countess. He'd guessed
that much And. say he guessed right.
I've bcel IN love with her ever since
the first minute | saw her. and it's
getting wors" every hour don't
know just how it is with her She's
never had fair chance to say got.
but now that I've found out that count
of yours Is out of the way ! mean to
ask her once more IL she thinks III
do"
We'll. Cherub. why don't your
From behind a tall revolving book
rase which hid from view corner OF
the libnry appeared the Countess Vec-
chi, flushed and smiling.
adele" came from Mr. Hcwinrton.
I've been listening. you see she
confessed. Il couldn't help it. | came
IN 10 find father. and | heard you tell
Ing him about that-that man you mad
sllI Ia ty,ll hn