The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-04-22

vine-told me all about everythina. Nv
fact. he made quite full confession
Decidedly this was not n cur,ila
opening Her tone was cool, almost
cynical. Something was wrong.
Il hope Nick didn't overdo the thing
countess. Did hep"
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 imp
"Yes."
"And the price he got for them and
how wanted you to buy back the
house?"
IAN OF those things Nicholas ex.
planned fully"
And it's all right, isn't it2 Any
hitch over detailsT
The countess walked to a table and
picked up long document envelope.
81 merely wish to understand clearly
your proposals." she was saying You
sent Mr.. Waloway here to offer me
this check and an opportunity to buy
back Hewington Acres for the price
you paid. Is that correctT
That's o. K. countess"
ALSO you confided to Mr. Walloway
that you were-that you entertained
certain sentiments of regard for me
You called it love. 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
head. But give me a show here,
countess. I'm trying to think how I
came to do the sieve act Oh, must
have done it, all right, but how
I'm afraid | can't share your inter
est in that problem. Let us not go into
it any deeper, if you please. You told
Mr.. Walloway. and them
"Ah. | remember. He wished me
luck. WaSI't that nice of him when
When what?" spurred on the
| countess.
"Why. when-when he was in the
same boat"
$50 Mr.. Walloway exchanged conf
dences. did he? Delightful!'
NO, no! Nick didn't say a word. |
found it out by accident Saw your
picture in his locket, you know, and
I'd heard about how he and you used
to-
Really! I'm glad that there was
some reserve in that discussion. Was
it held on a street corner or in hotel
lobby or
Train groaned the Cherub.
All" said the countess. The other
passengers must have been entertain
ed. Did any of them offer adviceT
The Cherub sank into chair.
That's right" ne observed. Keep
it up. deserve it."
"Refnorse," commented the countess
lis always touching, but it arrives Sc
late in the day. | am curious on only
one point. Having made your confes
sion to Mr.. Walloway and having
learned OF his-well, his attitude to-
ward me-what prompted you to send
him here?"
why, l thought Nick ought to have
his chance"
"You-you thought The Counties,
Vecchi appeared to grasp his meaning
but slowly. Her brown eyes no longer
resembled any kind of fireworks. They
regarded him with wide wonder.
You see." continued the Cherut
earnestly, hes so much nearer you
kind of a chaplin your class and al
that-and | didn't know how you tive
stood, you know. Why, it didn't lool
just right for me to butt in before
well. before you and Nick had SHOW
to make it up if you wanted to. That
all. 1t was only right"
The silence which had followed hi
explanation lasted for several mo
ments. and when the Countess Vecch
again spoke the clear cut sharpness o
her tone was somewhat softened.
Il understand. 1 believe have beel
told by some one that you had a cod
of honor that was all your own. We'll
have you heard what use Mr.. Wallo
way made of his opportunity
II had him call me up last night.
, couldn't ask him right out, you know
but
More dellcacy"' murmured tn
countess.
''Oh, that's nothing for me! But
made him say enough SO l could CUES
how he came out You told him h
wouldn't do. didn't your
The shoulders of the Countess Vecct
lifted a trifle at this.
: 81 tried to be entirely frank wit
Mr.. Walloway, as | am now trying
= be frank with you, Mr. Devine. | wis
to ask you IL my acceptance of thl
: check is a purely business transa,
ton"
"Why, sureP'
"You would have paid as much
m