The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-04-01

ton emerged from his study and want
ed to know why every one seemed SO
disturbed.
Its because Of Mr.. Devine. SIR
said Eppings. Hes coming up on a
special train. sir. and must see about
the table at once. sir"
Surely the particular frame of mind
which Mr.. Devine had conjured up for
himself was quite worthy Of a better
audience than he gave it. although he
was neither serene nor filled with con-
fident joy. But he was very much
alive He bubbled. sparkled. scintil-
lated. His mental faculties, never dull,
were at their keenest. His spirits
seemed to be dashed by a veritable
storm of animation. one moment soar
ing to giddy heights. the next sinking
to dark depths.
Young Mr.. WallOway, who was his
sole companion. was somewhat dis
gusted with this illogical behavior.
Much against his will be had been
dragged from his Office to accompany
the Cherub just when there was much
work to be done.
ooh. the railroad be bowed, Nick.
Lots Of time to attend to that. Forget
It."
Yet now that they were well started
toward Hewington Acres the Cherub
evinced a desire to talk. although the
precise topic at which he was aiming
was not clear. 1t was unrelated to
railroads. for the opening was of an
intimate and personal nature.
Mick. you rascal" he suddenly ex-
claimed, why aren't you married?"
''Why aren't you, CherubT he re.
torted.
'Mew Mr.. Devine affected to be
profoundly surprised at such a ques-
ton Nov, come. Nick, what sort of
fine woman would have Cherub De-
vine?"
You're too modest, Cherub. You
underrate yourself. suppose you
never tried?'
"Never had chance, my boy. Why
see here. Nick, there's never been q
time in all my life that I've had even
a speaking acquaintance with a real
good woman. such as you know by the
dozen-that is, leaving out the last
few days. of course. Now. With you
it's been different. You've had a
chance to pick aud choose" aI
"Ah. have l?' 1r
Cherub Devine caught the subdued
note of pain in the quick reioinder.
'You don't mean. Nick. that you got
a rundown"
carried message of sympathetic feel
ing which rang true. and that was the
quality which made so many friends
for Cherub Devine. Young Mr.. VALID
way was certainly not the one to make
offhand condolences. but he nodded his
head in assent.
Unexpectedly finding himself an in.
truder on private grounds. Mr.. Devine
curbed his buoyancy and gaZed with
embarrassed emotion at the proprietor
thereof. df' ri
"Oh. WELL" he observed. maybe
you're just as we'll off. Guess it was
some time ago, when you were young
and vealy. eh?"
81 was young ass. IL that's what
you mean." cynically responded Mich
Olas. Il was too sure of her and
played the fool You see. we We're
youngsters together, playmates. 1t
was one of those affairs that every
body understood was settled from the
time we were a dozen years old.
took it as a matter Of course that
was the only person she could ever
care for. In time she resented it, and
before knew it had lost her." i".i
Went off with some one else, did
she?" 7eN
Again young Mr.. Walloway inclined
his head He got up. took a seat on
the other side of the car and unfOlded
newspaper.
1t was less than an hours ride at
best. but before it was half over
Cherub Devine was consulting watch
and time table and had again shifted
his seat to the forward chair. where he
could watch for the name boards on
the stations.
Perceiving this unusual agitation of
a mind normally free from such dis
turbances. you might suspect that Mr..
Devine was about to make some great
venture. 1t was fact. His plans,
however. We're somewhat vague. About
the only definite part of his program
was his decision to turn himself out
of house and home Immediately upon
reaching Hewington Acres. This de-
tail was already prepared The Count
ess Vecchi should buy back the place
at her own terms. She now had the
means, and he was well assured of her
desire to do so.
Small wonder. then. that Cherub
Devine in brief period Of time for
got all about the revived wretchedness
1T1T N