The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-04-02
Cherub
Deviine
By SEWELL FORD
Copyright. 1909. by Mitchell Kenneriey
CHAPTER VII.
By SEWELL FORD

* Why do you want me to
stay~
L. The countess was asking
Mr.. Devine these questions with as
much sincerity as If there could be no
possible reason why he should object
to her leaving Hewington Acres.
"Why-why, because you ought to.
because l want you to stay. Don't
you see? l want you to stay"
For the better part of the day the
Cherub had been waiting for just this
opportunity. Now that it had come
he stood staring at her with a blank,
baffled look in his blue eyes.
The countess glanced curiously at
him with a light laugh.
He had found her in her eavorite
retreat, rustic summer house perched
ON little point of rocks which jutted
out into the sound and marked the
eastern boundary of the estate.
tits very kind of you, Mr.. Devine,"
she said. '1'm sure. but, l don't feel
that can accept such favor from
well, from a stranger, you know"
well get acquainted then"
But the countess firmly held to the
point. Hewington Acres was no long
er her home; therefore she must leave
it at once.
perhaps it is mine, but | don't
want the place." urged the Cherub.
Il just bought it for joke. I'll tell
you what I'm going to do-Pm going
to sell it back to your father. I'll let
it go cheap for the sake of getting rid
Of it."
The countess shook her head at this
proposal Father could not buy it
back" she said.
"Or l may rent it to him.
mo; we must 60 away somewhere
and get another home-a home Of our
own"
81 believe it's just because / am
here that you're in such a hurry to
CO. If should clear out now and not
come back untip-
mo, nor protested the countess. 81
shouldn't feel like staying a minute
after you had gone-not a minute.
While you are here l am, in a way,
your guest, but If you were not here
| 1 should not have even that standing"
'"Then I'll stay" declared the Cherub.
''I'll stay here week. a month, any
| time"
"Oh, no, you wouldn'tr' quickly re-
| piled the countess. Il have seen stock
| spectators before. They are just as
! much slaves Of the market as the
| wretched men who haunt the gam
bling halls of Monte Carlo are slaves
Of the roulette wheel. No; you will be
| hoo tn, oil
ing, eager for the game. 1t is all you
live for-speculation, speculation"'
| The Cherub was dumb before this
outburst 1t had been so unexpected.
"Of course | have no right to say
such things to YOU" she continued
| more soberly. 81 did not intend to say
them either. You have been very kind
| to US, and IL admire you in many
ways. But you should not have tried
| to make me believe too much. l am
not silly schoolgirl. you know. IL
have had one experience with a man
who was"-she hesitated at the con-
fession-"who was gambler"
| She had turned to hide the sudden
flush that crept into her cheeks. Sup
| pressed emotion was gently shaking
| her shoulders.
| AS in a fash Cherub Devtne knew
| exactly what he wanted to do now,
| and it was only by clasping big hands
resolutely behind his back that be
| kept from taking her in his arms and
otherwise making a spectacle OF him
self. He saw it all. Even if she did
despise him be was in love with the
Countess Vecchi.
The revelation came with stunning
a5ruptness, like the glimpses Of food
ed roadway when the lightning had il
he loved her.
If she should know! He was fairly
! appalled, at his own audacity. Sup
pose she should be at this moment
making the discovery which he haC
just made! Would she shrink away
from him in terror or would she laugh
scornfully at him? She was sticking
a long silver hatpin through the tor
Of her hat and listlessly watching the
dingy sails Of a coasting schooner tina
! was crawling up the sound. He breath
. ed more freely. She did not know, then
There, you'll forgive me, Will yoI
not?" she said, turning so quickly to
ward him that he started guiltily. :"
didn't mean to lecture you-really
, didn't. And now / must say goodby."
"You-must-say-go He re
peated the words DULY.
why, yes, I have decided to go t.
town tonight. l shall ask you to lie
rimmins drive me to the station thi
me. You will not go until morning
IMPOSE"
Ut can't let you go away in thi
p. l don't want you to go a
here's no need for it,
ksaid that before. We've set
bat, you know"
mt settled 1t, though ca
II the Cherub. You sal,
Wink of staying after
khere wouldn't b.
80 i'd, I'd stay
nme al
gticu