Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-06-14
Cherub
Deyine
SEWELL FORD
- Copyright. 1909. BY Mitchell Kennerley a
- Copyright. 1909. BY Mitchell kennerley -

I, 1909. by Mitchell Kennerley -
| feet she had gathered up her flowers
and the shears. She stood quite still,
eying him with apprehensive expecta-
I ton.
"Eh?" said the Cherub.
I'll said nothing" replied the young
; woman.
But you scuealed. didn't your
Possibly"
well, was scared out Of a years
growth. Next time you feel like squeal-
ing you might send me word, so can
brace myself. Live here, do you?"
"Why-er-that is-not exactly"
"Neither do l, thank the Lord! l
just own the place. But don't mind
me. Go ahead with your posy pick
ing"
"You-you don't object to-
Great Scott. no! Cut 'em all If you
like"
Only after she was out Of sight did
Mr.. Devine realize that here was an
other person whose presence at Hew-
ington Acres was not fully accounted
for She could not be one of the
servants. He was sure of that. But
when you find person about the
grounds of a private house. apparent
~ quite at home. and they reply when
asked If they live there. mot exact
IT," what Is one to infer? She couldn't
be guest. Who was there for her
to visit? Nor boarder.
Strikes me l ought to take cen
sus," commented the Cherub.
Going back to the house. he rang a
bell until Eppings appeared. heavy
eyed and lugubrious.
breakfast ready YETI"
breakfast. sir? h'sSrather early.
sir. but
early! It's the middle Of the fore
noon. Go stir things up in the kitch-
en-"
AS Eppings departed the hall clock
chimed Z. The Cherub grinned. He
had not breakfasted at Z for years. In
less than IN hour. though, breakfast
was an accomplished fact. and Mr..
Devine. now soothed by one of his
black cigars. Set out for more ex-
tended tour Of the grounds. He dis
covered the path leading to the sound
and had spent some time on the porch
Of the boathouse watching the steam
ers and coasting vessels crawl past
when Timmins came down. evidently
in search Of him.
Maybe didn't mention last night.
sir" began Timmins suavely. any
thing about the Hewingtons?"
II guess you didn't, Timmins."
1.-THE fact is. sir. they haven't gone"
Haven't gone! Why. where are
they?'
Back at the house. SIR It's all on
account of the old lady. sir. Mr.. Hew-
ington's sister. who has took SO bad
she couldn't be moved. Perhaps r.
ITS all right. There's Mr. Hewing
ton aud his sick sister. is there? That
allY"
"And the Countess Vecchi. SIR"
'"The which, Mr. Devine grabbed
the cigar from between his teeth and
turned quickly ON Timmins.
1.-THE Countess vecchi. sir. as stayed
to look after the aunt. The countess is
the married daughter, sir. The counts
been dead two years. sir, and'-here
Timmins coughed alphabetically be-
hind his hand-''the Hewingtons want
precisely sorry to lose him."
"Not bowling success. eh?'
Hardly. sir. The countess left him
two hours after the wedding"
"She must be hummer" observed
the Cherub. and then reflectively:
"Countesses are hardly in my line.
Guess you can hook up pretty soon
and drive me back to the station.
don't want to disturb the old lady,"
Lord, sir. you won't see any Of
them! No sooner did they hear you
were coming than they moved into the
top door of the east wing. and there
they've shut themselves up like the
house was quarantined. Besides. sir.
there isn't another express you could
get to the city until the 1898 tonight"
''Oh. well. there's plenty Of time
then! Perhaps you'll he able to dig up
some more reports before night"
Mr.. Devine was thinking Of the
young person he had seen in the gar
den. 1t didn't matter who she was. of
but it might be interesting to
know.
The day passed. however, without
further discoveries. although at any
the Cherub was prepared to
find himself confronted either by Mr..
HewingtOn or the countess or the
young woman of the roses or some
wholly unknown person.
He had seated himself for another
solitary and stately meal when bell
rang somewhere. and Eppings excused
himself to answer it. Then ensued out
In the reception hall whispered con-
part Of which MIR. Devine
could hardly avoid hearing. although
be was certain it was not intended for
his ears.
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