Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-06-28

COUNIESS.
but I'm tired now and wet and On.
l wish | hadn't come ut all; l wish
hadn't"
There. there" said the Cberub. pat
ting her shoulder. Don't you worry.
Ill 60 and rout out some one. Ill get
team to take us back"
mo. no. | don't want to stay here
alone. Please don't leave NE here
alone. Mr.. Devine!'' She grasped his
hand and chung to it tightly.
"All right. all right! | won't leave
you. Well go together and find some
one. See: it isn't raining nearly so
hard as it was. think the shower
must be almost over. Shall we start
now"
The countess was quite ready. There
was livery stable just across from
the station. she said. Fortunately
they found a night hostler doing in
the Office. 1t was with difficulty. how
ever. that he could be induced to har-
ness a pair of horses. His chief de-
sire seemed to be to gaze at the drip
ping clothes of MIR. Devine.
The drive back to Hewington Acres
was silent and uneventful. AS they
neared the house they saw that 1t was
brightly Illuminated. Out through the
open front doors streamed a broad
pathway Of light across which figures
were moving. One OF. these was Mr..
Hewington.
"Adelew he exclaimed. with much
dramatic fervor as he saw the count
ess and stretched out his arms to re-
ceive her. She went to him and
promptly began to sob on his shout
der.
Next appeared the soggily clothed
Cherub with the suit case. "WhewT'
he exclaimed. throwing down the bag
Then. turning to the gaping butler.
"Eppings. see If You can find me
dry cigar and match"
'Mr, Devine. what does this mean.
STRIP Numbered Mr.. Hewington. ~
demand an explanation"
'Well. what do you want me to ex-
plain-that the rain is wet?' returned
the Cherub.
This is no time for levity. sir.
Adele. please so upstairs" Mr.. Hew.
ington strobe toward Mr.. Devine
threateningly.
Il want you to explain your astound-
ing conduct. sir" repeated Mr.. Hew.
ington.
Father. father" pleaded the count
ess. "I'll tell you all about it,
"Silence. Adele! Go to your room. ]
will deal with this Mr.. Devine."
Now, don't you be in a hurry. Mr..
Hewington. and Wen clear this little
mystery in no time" said the Cherub.
Little mystery. sir" The tall fig
ure Of MIR. Hewington stiffened with
anger. what do you mean. sir? !
wake up in the middle of the night to
discover that my daughter has fed.
arouse Eppings to learn that he left
you at II o'clock waiting for her in the
library. find the window open.
discover that you are both gone. And
now. at this hour in the morning. you
come back in public carriage. You
are a wretch. Mr.. Devine. scheming.
vtllainous"-
stop. father. stop! This is too alb
surd." The Countess Vecchi had step
ped between the two men. 1T was all
my fault. was running away. and
Mr.. Devine tried to stop me. and when
wouldn't be stopped he went with
me and carried the bag. Then it rain
ed. and he got wet. He is splendid.
splendid. and he is very wet"
"Sure. he is wet" assented Mrs.
Timmins solemnly.
In dazed manner Mr.. Hewington
inspected once more the obviously
damp condition Of Mr.. Devine's raj
ment.
Eyes. yes. Adele. suppose it is all
right. but It is not yet clear in my
mind"
The Cherub was not inclined to con
tinue the dialogue. "Oh. We'll straight
en- that all out in the morning. MIR.
Hewington."
A moment later the chimes Of q
French clock announced the hour of 3.
"Three o'clock exclaimed the Cher
ub. Il don't believe you'll catch that
1870 train, will you. countess?
She had started up the stairs, but
she turned to smile and shake her
mead, 1t was friendly smile.
Ito be continued,