The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-04-15

eH DOH 1Orget tnat, ABOUT u o CLOCK.
Just give me line on how she takes
It and so on. You'll have some re-
port or other to make, I'll bet. Needn't
make too much Of my share in the
business. Just talk like I'd handed it
over to you, as I have. You're equal
TO that Job. aren't your
Now, just what sort of mental proc
ess went on In the brain of Nicholas
Walloway 1t would be vain to try to
trace He was complex product
whose character had been nodded not
only by circumstances of birth and
breeding. but by the strong stamp of
heredity.
He was a young man chiefly distin-
| guished by reserved stiffness OF
manner. quality which often inspires
a confidence that obvious genius fails
to command. If, in hesitating to ac-
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 had want
ed to see the Countess Vecchi. Earnest
! ly he had wished for q chance to talk
to her alone. and now this very oppor-
| tunity was thrust upon him.
well. Cherub. If you think you had
better leave this to me. why. p
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 1t happened that when Timmins
finally did bring up the lathered cobs
with a fine flourish the whole house
hold was assembled to witness the
Cherub's much heralded return.
The Countess Vecchi 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 backing
out.
In his stead there stepped from the
carriage Mr.. Nicholas Walloway. out
wardly cool and self possessed. but Sc
cretly very much at loss to know just
how he should proceed. For moment
he regarded the expectant group with
some astonishment. Then Mr.. Hew-
ington voiced the common thought in
one question:
why. Nicholas, where is MIR. De
Vine?"
"Mr. Devine is on his way back to
town"
But he sent word"- began the
countess, only to be stopped by Mr.
Walloway's hasty explanation.
HE has asked me to transact some
business with you. countess. Might
I-er'- And he glanced significantly
at the door
The Countess vecchi promptly led
him into the library.
well. NicholasT" she asked.
Mr.. Walloway had seated himself at
the library table and was sorting some
documents. 1t had been years since
she had called him Nicholas. Well.
this was an auspicious beginning He
smiled indulgently. Strengthened his
shoulders and placed his finger tips
together in a judicial manner. 1t was
rather an effective pose, indica ting the
patiently receptive mood Of superior
mind
my dear Adele
"Mr. Wallowayw The Countess Vec-
chi could be most explosive young
person, and her brown eyes could sim
ulate Indignation very convincingly.
"But-but you called me Nicholas"
he protested.
81 didn't call you my dear Nicholas,
did /? l want to know why Mr.. De-
vine sent you instead Of coming him
self"
Mr.. Walloway proceeded to state
pot at all in the way he had meant to
! put it his errand. He told the count
ess the amount for which the stocks
had been sold and of her opportunity
to buy back Hewington Acres. The
Countess vecchi heard him with wild
ening eyes.
"And really have all that?"
'The check is drawn for the full
amount, / believe, less the brokerage
commission. Here it is" little
awed, she accepted the slip of pink
paper and stared at 1t incredulously.
Ou are sure there y no uliSldhe!
Mr.. Walloway was quite sure. He
explained that the shares had brought
$1,000 each and that there were a
hundred of them.
81 don't in the least understand
said the countess, referring once more
to the check, but / hope that who
ever paid that much for them could
affOrd-why, here is Mr.. DeviDe's
name"
"Yes, he bought the shares, and he
could well afford to at that price"
"Could he? oh, and those horrid
men you were talking aboutl Did he
smash them2"
Mr.. Walloway INDUCED in faint
smile.
HE did smash them"
"But did he smash them hard-as
hard as / told him TOT"
"He made a very thorough job of il
quite thorough"
"oh. goodyr' The Countess Vecchi's