Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-03-09
(Continued.)

The ash on Mr.. Devine's cigar. how
ever, was not an eighth Of an inch
longer before he was surprised to see
Mr.. Hewington reappear before him.
The Hewingtons, 1t seemed, were ad-
dicted to postscripts.
"Wonder If he's come back with a
stick" reflected the Cherub.
But Mr.. Hewington's manner was
not openly hostile.
'It has just occurred to me, Mr.. De-
vine" he began, that you might fancy
our attitude somewhat discourteous If
SO, you are in error. We are merely
maintaining under rather awkward
conditions our customary reserve. Do
you follow nse sir?"
II get glimmer now and then"
complacently rejoined the Cherub.
you mean that you're not mixers"
Mr.. Hewington smiled coldly at the
metaphor. Society is apt to make
distinctions" he continued. Perhaps
you do not know that our family has
been prominent since colonial times.
My great-aunt married son Of the
Marquis de Lafayette"
"Never met the gentleman" COM
mented the Cherub.
Probably not. He came TO America
In 1916"
"Sof Then he got here before did"
Mr.. Hewingtor ignored this remark.
"This estate, Mr.. Devine, was part of
the original grant. In my fathers
time it extended for fifteen miles along
the sound. The old mansion, which
stood for nearly century, was hon
ored by the presence of such men as
Daniel Webster, President Tyler and
others. Charles Dickens was guest
here during his tour of this country.
In the present house the late Mrs.
Hewlngton and myself have welcomed
many distinguished personages. Then,
as you know, my daughter is the Count
css Vecchi, allied by marriage to one
Of the noblest families of Lombardy."
"Seems to be l heard something
about that"
Possibly, possibly" Mr.. Hewington
waved his eyeglasses impatiently. Il
am telling you these things, Mr.. De-
vine, that you may have q better un-
derstanding of our attitude. Since the
death of the count she has lived In
seclusion. She has almost entirely
withdrawn from society"
Mr.. Devine looked keenly at the old
gentleman. IL see." he observed.
"Kind of focks by herself. Well, I've
no objection. l didn't come up here
especially to get acquainted with you
folks, you know. In fact, you and the
countess were rather sprung on me as
a surprise"
Mr.. Hewington might have been
seen to shudder. "My dear Mr.. De-
vine," he protested, II fear that you
still fail to realize our position. Cir
cumstances compel us to remain here
during your stay. There is my sis
ter
Eyes, l know all about that, and
wouldn't for the world disturb the
sick lady. I'm just trying to be So
ciable. I want you to stay until you're
ready to leave"
"You see, Mr.. Devine, my plans for
the immediate future are very uncer-
tain"
Eyes. that seems to be the word.
What does the countess say about it2'
II never discuss matters of business
with my daughter. Women do not
understand such matters. OF course it
is necessary to have her sign papers
now and then. The lawyers insist ON
1t, some of the property having been
left to her, but 1 never try to explain
things which I do not fully compre-
hend myself. The sale of this place,
for instance, still perplexes me. / did
not desire it at all. l suppose, how
ever, that it was necessary as a mat
ter Of form. Probably you have a
clearer notion Of 1t than l, Mr.. De-
vine"
"Your idea is bit hazy," admitted
the Cherub.
Perhaps so, but presume that
here is only
arrangement. Matters will
soon be adjusted, l suppose, when my
attorneys finally get around to 1t. My
daughter was more or less worried un-
til I assured her that 1 would attend
to the affair personally"
Then she cheered up, did she?" Mr..
Devine appeared to find the conversa-
tion entertaining.
"She was relieved, of course. But
l have been so engrossed in preparing
a pamphlet Orwell, on a scientific
subject which would not be of inter-
est to you-that l have neglected to
take the proper steps. However, now
that you thoroughly understand the
situation, I trust that you will not
act hastily"
ooh, 1 shan't put you out or any
thing like that, Mr.. Hewington. Make
your mind easy on that score"
at is very considerate of you, sir.
OF course until the affair Is settled we
shall not encroach on your technical
right of possession more than Is abso-
lutely necessary. If the present ar
is satisfactory I would sug-
gest that it be continued"
The Cherub favored Mr.. Hewington
with whimsical smile. "Well, We'll
let the thing drift for awhile anyway.
Only you don't have to act as though
you were prisoners. Why don't you
and the countess come down to your
meals just as though wasn't here?"
my dear sir Here Mr.. Hswing-
ton began an exhaustive review Of the
situation. When he was through Mr.
Devine chuckled gleefully, 1t was an
amazingly simple proposition. The
HewinRt0ns were the Hewinetons. and