The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-04-09

| he fhACIlCALL1 AAAES ME u
GIFT OF THIs?"
| Nicholas" said the countess reprov-,
ingly, "sit down."
But If you will only just listen
to-
please sit down, Nicholas"
Nicholas sat.
you used to tell me. Adele. that
you loved''-
Did I? It's no wonder, for you
were forever incoming around asking
me If 1 did"
Il can imagine no reason why you
should refuse to hear me say that l
love you and"-
well, there is a reason. If there
wasn't / should invent one"
II regret very deeply" he began.
with great humility, that anything /
have just said
NOW, that's better" said the Count
ess Vecchi, relenting cheerfully. When
you start regretting very deeply you
don't in the least mean it, but you're
on the right track. Now forgive me
for bringing you up so sharply and let
us finish our business. Ought l to ac-
cept all this money for those shares"
Wouldn't it seem rather strange
for you to demand less than is Of
fered?"
You're right Well, I accept, then.
And do want to buy back our home
here. But feel ought to deal direct
ly with Mr.. Devine himself In that
matter. You will see that he comes,
will your"
Mr.. Walloway, assuming an air of
stately gloom, stalked away from
Hewington Acres. BY the time dinner
was over he had quite recovered his
usual poise and felt equal to the task
Of calling up Mr.. Devine.
"Well" queried the Cherub eagerly.
"HOw did you come on with the
countess|
Excellent" said Mr.. walloway,
thinking only Of the business he had
been asked to transact. Its all set
tied. She accepts"
whats that, Nick? Accepts whow
"Why, the check. She will buy back
the property too"
"Oh! Is that all?" An unmistakable
sigh Of satisfaction came over the
wires.
"She wants to see you about it,
though. Says she must deal direct.
Wants to know If you can come to-
morrow"
"Why, sure I can. But say, Nick.
are you certain there's nothing else
no congratulations coming from meY"
"Why-er-you might congratulate
the countess on making a good bargain
If you WISH"
,{c Ind Gnfa 4ypf
Poor old Nickv' said the Cherub as
he hung up the receiver. Hes had
his tryout, though. Tomorrow it'll be
up to me-"
Cherub Devine, having resolutely
slashed away all the entangling mesh
Of business cares, went smilingly out
to Hewington Acres and into the pres
ence Of the Countess Vecchi.
"Well, countess, we smashed 'em,
didn't we? And you had a hand in
1t, after all. Nick told you, eh?'
Evidently she had been standing
there in the window recess in the
library waiting for him. Whether by
accident or design, it proved to be a very
effective pose, for the slender grace
fulness Of her dark robed figure came
out in strong relief against the dull
. green window hangings, and the mel
low afternoon light showed the hint
Of color in the long oval Of her cheek.
Eyes, Nicholas has told me, Mr.. De-
vine-told me all about everything. In
fact, he made quite a full confession"
Decidedly this was not a cordial
opening. Her tone was cool, almost
cynical. Something was wrong.
II hope Nick didn't overdo the thing,
countess. Did he?'
I'm sure don't know, Mr.. Devine.
That all depends upon how much you
intended him to say"
"Well, he told you about how handy
those shares came inf'
Yes"
"And the price he got for them and
how i wanted you TO buy back the
house"
"An Of those things Nicholas ex-
planned fully"
And it's all right, isn't it7 Any
hitch over details:'
The countess walked to table and
picked up a long document envelope
Il merely wish TO understand clearly
your proposals." she was saying You
sent Mr. Walloway here to offer me
this check and an opportunity to buy
back Hewington Acres for the price
you paid. Is that correct?"
That's o. X, countess"
ALSO you confided to Mr.. Walloway
that you were-that you entertained
certain sentiments Of regard for me
You called it love, l believe"
"Eh? CALCULATED the astonished
Cherub. Say. Nick didn't give me
, away like that did he? Honest, he
wasn't chump enough to let on that /
said
ITO be made the topic Of such an IN
innate disclosure and by a person
whom have known for such short
time under such peculiar conditions.
. you can fancy perhaps that I'd rather
not dwell on it"
Great Scott, yesr' groaned the
| Cherub BEGINNING to wipe his fore