Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-06-03

1 was n NEST substantial building. In
The front were two doors-one at the
top. reached by Il permanent ladder;
the other on Il level with the ground.
This latter was n double door, with
an air space between. The outside
half was of thick oak and swung on
heavy strap hinges. In the upper
panel was a diamond shaped design OF
auCer holes. Standing outside and
looking up at these perforations was
! Chcrub Devine. He was not studying
the design He was talking TO some
| unseen person behind the thick door.
convcrsinS easily and pleasantly In
spite Of the handicap. True, he was
| on the free side of the door. That
makes Il difference, OF course.
On the whole, Cherub Devine felt
grim satisfaction in knowing that the
count was safe under lock and key in
stead Of lodging around the grounds,
where he might come across the count
ess at any moment. Even IL there
was no danger of tender reunion 1t
was best to have the count shut up.
| for he was bent ON making trouble.
At that very moment he was so de-
claring to the full extent of his lung
power. Through the auger holes he
was shouting that Mr.. Devine. the
countess, Mr.. HewingtOn and Tim
Minis should all pay dearly for this
high handed outrage.
You're q cursed Yankee pig" howl
ed the imprisoned count.
"Sorry you're so stirred up over it."
soothingly observed the Cherub.
"Kidnaper" shrieked the count.
Guilty" responded the Cherub.
"First offense, though. Now for heav-
ems sake calm down."
"It's beastly in here! My shoes are
getting full Of something's
Nothing but sawdust," answered
the Cherub. "I'n have Timmins
spread a rug or something over It,"
I'll make it hot for you when l get
outv'
"Sure! And for the Hewingtons,
too. expect"
you'll both have to pay for this as
| soon US I'm free"
'There! You seew exclaimed the
Cherub cheerfully. You'd stir up a
bad muss, Of course. We could put
you In jail for attempted blackmail.
but that would bring out that the
countess wasn't widow. and all that
old gossip would be dug up again and
printed In all the papers. and Id be
held up us kidnaper. No. my dear
count. it wouldn't do ut ALL"
The Cherub had wished him pleas
ant evening and good nights rest
and was just turning to so to the sta
bles to see Timmins when he found
himself facing Mr.. HewingtOn. AS.
constituent was stamped on every line
Of the old gentleman's aristocratic
cOuntenanCc
"Why-why. Mr. Devine! You seem
to be holding a conversation with some
person IN there" And he indicated
the closed door of the icehouse.
"Guess | was" admitted the Cherub
How singular. And-er-might l.
er-ask"-
Suppose you don't" put in the Cher
ub. ut would simplify matters lol
If you didn't"
IL have been accustomed. Mr.. De
vine, to be ted Of all that went or
about this estate. even to the smallest
detail. ! should like to know, sir, t
whom you were talking just now"
| IAN right" said the Cherub. with {
gesture Of resignation. There's thu
gentleman's card"
A. Mr.. Hewington replaced Fl
glasses and read the full name O
Count Vecchl an expression Of com
plete CONSERVATION, ncs to say panic
spread over his features
"ImpOssibie!" he whispered hoarsely
Just what | thought when b,
sprung 1t on me-" commented the Cher
ub. II told him he was dead one
He says he isn't"
Then the count isn't dead, eh?"
Cherub Dcvine watched with milo
amusement the confusion Of mind int
which Mr.. Newington was immediate
l - puuSeu
My dear Mr. Devine." said he a
last. taking the Cherub by the arm
and leading him away from the ice
house. "l-er-ah-that isl hardl,
know how tO--to"-
"Yes; understand. Why not let 1
come straight out. thought
"Well. ! must begin by making thu
reSretful admission that We discovered
soon after my daughters marriage
indeed. on the very day Of the cere
mony-that he was a person of disso
lutte habits"
Eyes. I heard all that the first day
struck here. And them
''Then, sir, there was an immedIat,
separation. For time l continued I,