The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-04-08

breeding, but by the strong stamp or
heredity.
He was a young man chiefly distin-
guished by a reserved stiffness OF
manner, a quality which often inspires
confidence that obvious genius fails
to command. If, In hesitating to &C
cept the advantage offered him by the
impulsive Mr.. Devine. he was trou-
bled by problems Of an ethical nature,
he allowed them to be easily swept
away. For many months he bad want
ed to see the Countess Vecchi Earnest
IL he had wished for a chance to talk
to her alone. and now this very oppor-
tunity was thrust upon him.
We'll, Cherub, if you think you had
better leave this to me. why. T.
Good. And don't forget about call
ing me up tonight to let me know
what luck you have"
No hint of this altered program. OF
course. had reached Hewington Acres.
so it happened that when Timmins
finally did bring up the lathered cobs
with fine flourish the whole house
hold was assembled TO witness the
Cherub'S much heralded return.
The Countess Necchi had at the last
moment abandoned her angelic pose
and yielded to curiosity Mr.. Hewing-
ton was even more eager TO learn what
it was all about. Mr.. Devine never
knew just what he missed by acking
out.
In his stead there stepped from the
carriage Mr.. Nicholas Walloway, out
warlly cool and self possessed. but Sc
cretly very much at loss to know just
low he should proceed. For a moment
ne regarded the eXpectant group with
some establishment Then MIR. Hew.
ington voiced the common thought in
one question:
Why. Nicholas. where is Mr.. De-
vine:"
MIR. Devine is on his way back to
town.
But be sent word"- began the
countess. only to be stopped by MIR
Walloway's hasty explanation.
He has asked me to transact some
! business with you, countess. Might
at the door.
The Countess Vecchi promptly led
him into the library.
"Well. NicholasF" she asked.
Mr. Walloway had seated himself a
| the library table aud was sorting some
! documents 1t had been years since
! she had called him Nicholas. Well
! this was an suspicious beginning II,
smiled indulgently. Strengthened hi:
| shoulders and placed his finger tips
! together in judicial manner. 1t wa:
rather an effective pose. indicating thu
! patiently receptive mood Of superior
! mind
! "My dear Adele
mfr. Wallowayw The Countess Vec
chi could be a most explosive youu;
person. and her brown eyes could sim
ulate indignation very conyincing.y.
"But-but you called me Nicholas.
he protested.
Il didn't call you my dear Nicholas
did L? l want TO know why Mr. De
! vine sent you instead of coming him
self"
Mr.. Walloway proceeded 70 stat
not at all in the way he had meant {
put 1t his errand. He told the count
ess the amount for which the stock
had been sold and of her opportunit,
TO buy back HewingtOn Acres. Th
| Countess Vecchi heard him with wild
ening eyes.
And | really have all that"
The check is drawn for the flu
-: 81 ,l- 1.~
commission. Here ii is \ littl
awed, she accepted the slip of pin
paper and stared at it incredU.ouS.y ~.
You are sure there's no mis;akr:"
Mr.. Walloway was quite sure. II
explained that the shares had UrcuSl
$1,000 each and that there were
hundred of them.
II don't in the least understand.
said the countess, referring 0uce NOR
to the check. hut | hope That VIII,
ever paid that much for them coul
afford-why, here is Mr. Devine
/ name"
Yes, he bought the shares. and b
could we'll afford TO at that price.
Gould he: Oh. and those horri
men you were talking about. Did b
smash them:"
Mr. Walloway INDUCED IN q tail
smile.
"He did smash them"
But did be smash them hard-a
hard as | told him tor
HE made a very thorough job Of
quite thorough"
"Oh. goody" The Countess Vecchi
hands were shut tight; her 1.-the fiGur
, was held very erect; her eyes WEI
aliSht with eXultatiOn.
Continued Tom orrow)