Daily Arizona silver belt., 1910-04-09
CHAPTER x.
CHAPTER x. Y NICHOLAS squirmed little In M his chair.
 MT. Devine Is in many ways \ a-er-a remarkable man.

M MT. Devine Is in many ways \ a-er-a remarkable man.
 If he were only something besides a stock gambler. If he would only ap- ply his talents to something differ ent."
 Il hadn't thought of his talents as being misdirected." he said slowly. But he has evidently been listening to some one who thinks as you do. for he tells me that he has given up spec ulating in stocks"
 "He-he has given up! Why? WhenT'
 At noon today. when he obtained control of the F.. z. and N. railroad and became its president"
 "A railroad president! Why, that Is quite-qulte respectable. isn't it?'
 Almost" gravely assented Mir. Wal loway.
 Isn't he splendid?" exclaimed the countess. clasping her hands. And don't you think. Nicholas, now that he has-well, reformed-that he will be asked about among nice peopleT
 My dear countess" began Nicholas, once more assuming the judicial pose, you must not forget that he is still Cherub Devine. As successful ma nipulator of stock he Is entitled to re- spect; as railroad president he will be financial power to be reckoned with; as to his social fitness. that is a matter to which l have not given the attention which you appear
 Am being lectured. Nicholas Wal loway?" asked the countess demurely.
 'I trust we have known each other long enough. Adele. for me to offer a friendly suggestion. But if you resent such"-
 "Oh, no! Go on. Nicholas. What else about MT. Devine?"
 Young Mir. Walloway flushed under the subtle mockery of her eyes.
 Nothing more, countess" and he bowed stifIly. "only did not know that you considered Mir. Devine a-a"-
 The countess laughed lightly. "Oh, I've told Hlm he wasn't"
 "You-you said that to the CherubT T' The countess nodded.
 And he-what did he"- He said he had never claimed to be gentleman"
 [ "AhT Young Mir. Walloway seemed to have gaiIed new viewpoint. His | exclamation was one of relief. Now he could understand the attitude of the countess toward Cherub Devine. It was merely an impersonal interest which she had taken in somewhat l picturesque public character whom she had chanced to see at close range.
 "I beg pardon for my suggestion he went on. ''I see you know the Cherub better than I thought Inter. esting chap. isn't he? He has his good points, too-oh. really, has code of honor all his own that he sticks to as faithfully as if 1t werewolf, the accepted code. And he is generosity itself to those whom he fancies."
 "Is he, indeed?
 There was an encouraging note in her tone.
 "Oh. extremely! Now, in the matter of buying those shares, they were never actually quoted at that figure you know, but he needed them very badly, and he fixed the price accord | ingly, whereas he might have pur i chased them for a fifth as much and still paid you the highest market rate"
 ''Then he practically makes me a gift of this?" And the countess fut tered the pink check disdainfully.
 "Oh, no! Had l been selling the shares for you. knowing how badly he needed them. l could have forced hin to pay even more. No, it was busi ness transaction, but generosity was displayed none the less. And his offer to hand over Hewington Acres at youi own terms-that Is another example Of course he doesn't want the place on his hands. but he could readily dis pose of 1t at profit. Evidently he wishes you to retain possession, how ever"
 "So 1t would appear" unused the countess. q wonder why?"
 Nicholas pursed his lips qulzzically.
 "l suppose it has not occurred to you that he might be-well, interested in you"
 The countess eyed him with cool un concern.
 I'm afraid you are making rather an impudent guess, MT. Walloway."
 But it's no guess. Devine told me himself-that is, he as good as con fessed as much"
 , Her calm poise was ruf1led. Colo flashed into her cheeks betrayingly. Do you mean to imply that he talk ed to you of-of me?" she demanded. Well, will admit that drew hin out. l could see 1t plain enough, yo' know, and when l asked him he didn' [ attempt to deny, although he did hay the grace to protest his own unworth1 ness. Good of him, wasn't 1t? Of 8 yes, he has improved the opportunitie rou gave him! He has had the audac { " to fall in love with yOu countess