Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-07-08
well. Nick" he began, TINS time CIV

NOW. the f1rst thing on the docket
for you to fix up this business abou
the house with the countess"
"I?" exclaimed Nicholas.
"Why. sure! You know her bette
than do You 20 up and have tai
with her: tell her how you sold til
stocks and what she can buy back tn
property for
"But-but-whyd don't you
ME. Oh. I've got to skip back +
town on this train. just wanted t
get you started straight. You can d
it so much better than can. being on
Of her own kind. and all that Aren'
afraid of tine countess. are you?"
"Why. no. But seq here. Chrrub"-
"Now. that's all right. Nick 70,
can do this fine. But. say. you call m,
up on the phone at my hotel tonigh
and let me know how you come out
eh? Don't forget that. about o'clock
just give me Il line on how she take!
ftAand so on. You'll have some re
port or other to make, I'll bet Needn'
make too much of my share in the
business. Just talk like I'd handed i
over to you. as | have. You're cqua
to that job. aren't you?"
Now. just what sort Of mental proc
ess went Oh in the brain of Nicholas
Walloway it would be vain to try to
trace. He was a complex product
whose character had been nodded not
only by circumstances of birth and
breeding. but by the strong stamp OF
heredity
He was young man chiefly diStin-
guished by reserved stiffness OF
manner. a quality which often inspires
a confidence that obvious genius fails
to command. If, in hesitating to ac-
cept the advantage offered him by the
impulsive Mr.. Devine. he was trou-
bled by problems Of an ethical nature.
he allowed them to be easily swept
away. For many months he had want
ed to see the Countess Vecchi. Earnest
ly he had wished for a chance to talk
to her alone. and now this very oppor.
tunity was thrust upon him.
We'll. Cherub, if you think you had
better leave this to me. why. p
Good! And don't forget about call
ing me up tonight to let me know
what luck you have"
No hint OF this altered program. of
course. had reached Hewington Acres.
so it happened that when Timmins
finally did bring up the athered cobs
with Il fine flourish the whole house
hold was assembled to witness the
Cherub's much heralded return.
The Countess Vecchi had at the last
moment abandoned her angelic pose
and yielded to curiosity. Mr.. Hewing-
ton was even more eager to learn what
it was all about. Mr.. Devine never
knew just what he missed by backing
out.
In his stead there stepped from the
carriage Mr.. Nicholas Walloway. out
wardly cool and self possessed. but Sc
cretly very much at loss to know just
how he should proceed For moment
he regarded the eXpectant group with
some establishment. Then Mr. Hew-
ington voiced the common thought in
one question:
"Why. Nicholas. where is Mr.. De-
vine"
''Mr. Devine is on his way back to
town."
But he sent word'- began the
countess. only to be stopped by Mr..
Walloway's hasty explanation.
He has asked me to transact some
business with you. countess. Might
l-er'- And he glanced significantly
at the door.
The Countess Vecchi promptly led
him into the library.
''Well. Nicholas" she asked
Mr.. Walloway had seated himself at
the library table and was sorting some
documents. 1t had been years since
she had called him Nicholas. Well.
this was an suspicious beginning He
smiled indugently. Strengthened his
shoulders and placed his finger tips
together in judicial manner. 1t was
rather an effective pose. indicating the
patiently receptive mood of a superior
mind.
"My dear Adele
"Mr. Walloway" The Countess Voc.
chi could be most explosive young
person.. and her brown eyes could siIu-
ulate Indignation very convincingly.
'Rut-but you called me Nicholas"
he protested
Il didn't rall you my dear Nicholas.
did |! | want to know why MIR De
,,f< h aim,
self"
Mr. allOway proceeded to state
not al al in the way he had meant to
put il bis trrand He told the count
esS the amount for which the stocks
had been sold and of her opportunity
Countess Vecchi heard him with wild.
aning eyes.
And really have all that!"
The check is drawn for the full
amount believe. less the brokerage
Here it Is" a little
awed. she accepted the slip of pink
paper and stared at it incredulously.
"You are sure there's no mistaken
Mr.. Walloway was quite sure. He
explained that the shares had brought |
5 1000 each and that there We're |
hundred Of them.
II don't in the least understand"
said the countess. referring once more
20 the check. but | hope that who
aver paid that much for them could
here Is Mr.. Devine's
Yes, he bought the shares. and he
.ould we'll afford to at that price"