The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-04-07
Cherub
Deviine
By SEWELL FORD
Copyright. 1903. by Mitchell Kennesiey
CHAPTER TX.

from Mr.. Devine: Wait.
~ Coming up tonight 1mpor-
tant."
AS a result Hewington Acres hum
med with anticipation. What could it
mean? What had happened? What
was going to happen?
EppingS was certain that Mr.. Devine
was bringing home some titled guest,
possibly duke or lord, and he pre-
pared dinner accordingly. The count
ess was puzzled Even Mr.. Hewing-
ton emerged from his study ana want
ed to know why every one seemed SO
disturbed.
Its because Of Mr.. Devine. sir"
said Eppings. Hes coming up On
special train. sir. and must see about
the table at once, sir"
Surely the particular frame of mind
which Mr.. Devine had conjured up for
himself was quite worthy Of better
audience than he gave it, although he
was neither serene nor filed with con-
fdent joy. But he was very much
alive. He dubbed, sparkled. scintil-
lated. His mental faculties, never dull,
were at their keenest. His spirits
seemed to be dashed by q veritable
storm Of animation, one moment soar
ing to giddy heights, the next sinking
to dark depths.
Young Mr.. Walloway, who was his
sole companion, was somewhat dis
gusted with this illogical behavior.
Much against his viii be had been
dragged from his Office to accompany
the Cherub just when there was much
work to be done.
"Oh, the railroad be blowed. Nick.
Lots of time to attend to that. Forget
it."
Yet now that they were well started
toward Hewington Acres the Cherub
evinced a desire to talk. although the
was not clear. 1t was unrelated to
railroads, for the opening was Of an
intimate and personal nature.
Mick, you rascal" he suddenly ex-
claimed, why aren't you marriedT
"Why aren't you, Cherub?" he re-
torted.
"Mer' Mr. Devine affected to be
profoundly surprised atSsuch ques-
ton. Now, come, Nick, what sort of
4 fine woman would have Cherub De-
vine?"
you're too modest, Cherub. You
underrate yourself. I suppose you
never tried?'
"Never had chance. my boy. Why.
see here, Nick, there's never been a
time in all my life that I've had even
a speaking acquaintance with real
good woman. such as you know by the
dozen-that is, leaving out the last
few days, Of course. Now. with you
it's been different. You've had a
chance to pick and choose"
"Ah, have I?'
Cherub Devine caught the subdued
note Of pain in the quick rejoinder.
"You don't mean, Nick, that you got
4 turndown?'
Brusque as were the words, they
carried a message of sympathetic feel
ing which rang true. and that was the
quality which made so many friends
for Cherub Devine. Young Mr.. Wallo-
offhand condolences. but he nodded his
head in assent.
Unexpectedly finding himself an in.
truder on private grounds. Mr.. Devine
curbed his buoyancy and gaZed with
embarrassed emotion at the proprietor
thereof.
"Oh, WE'LL" he observed, maybe
you're just as well of. Guess it vas
some time ago, when you were young
and vealy. eh?'
II was a young ass, If that's what
you mean." cynically responded Mich
olas. 81 was too sure of her and
played the fool. You see. We were
youngsters together, playmates. 1t
was one Of those affairs that every
body understood was settled from the
time we were a dozen years old.
took it as q matter Of course that
was the only person she could ever
care for. In time she resented it. and
before knew it / had lost her
Went off with some one else, did
she?'
Again young Mr. Walloway inclined
his head He got up, took seat on
the other side Of the car and unfolded
q newspaper.
1t was less than an hours ride al
best. but before it was half over
Cherub Devine was consulting watch
and time table and had again shifted
his seat to the forward chair. " here be
could watch for the name boards Oh
the stations.
Perceiving this unusual agitation OF
q mind normally free from such els,
turbances. you might suspect that Mr.
Devine was about to make son" gr"a,
venture 1t was a fact. His plans
however. were somewhat vague. About
the only definite part OF his l. ogran
was his decision to turn himself out
of house and home Immediate: urOr
reaching Hewington Acres. .. Ills de
tail was already prepared. The Count
eSs Vecchi should buy back thn place
at her own terms. She TOW III the
no yypII n 'g.r