Daily Arizona silver belt., 1910-04-19
"Cherub
 DeVine" By SEWELL FORD Copyrighted by Mitchell Kennerley
q might have known you would
By SEWELL FORD
Copyrighted 1909 by Mitchell Kennerley

"Why, not much," answered the Cherub slowly, "only-only this: Some ones been holding up the old gentle man for remittances ever since the count died, using the counts name. Of course Pm not sure who that some body was, but the arrow points to you. | How about it, eh?'
 The man across the table began to think His air of indifference van | ished. He fumbed nervously with the table silver. Inside of two min ] utes he had broken down completely and was making full confession, to | which Cherub Devine listened with l placid satisfaction and indulgent mods of encouragement.
 The interview ended amicably. By the time it was over the ex-prisoner had recovered his composure aud de veloped an appetite for siroin steak; also he had accepted Mir. Devine's of fer to become his guest for the night.
 And early next morning there ar rived at Hewington Acres once more cheerfully audacious Cherub Devine, who seemed quite unaffected by the forbidding austerity with which Ep- pings chose to regard him as he in- quired for the countess.
 After some moments, during which he paced up and down the reception hall, MT. Devine was shown into the library with as much formality as if this was his first visit. Nor was the attitude of Mir Hewington as he re- ceived the Cherub at all reassuring.
 Eve been looking up that count of yours," remarked the Cherub. Hes been defunct for nearly two years. had man investigate the records, and it's all O. K"
 Impossible. Mir. Devine! Why-why T have been in communication with him."
 "That was your mistake. You've been in communication with smooth young chap who couldn't resist the chance to play new bunko game for all it was worth. How were the let ters signed which came from the count after he was sent to that sanitariumr
 By his secretary, believe. Per r. c. That was it."
 Sure. And the F. c. stood for Francois CunettO. I've had heart to heart talk with Francois and got his whole history. As you might guess by his name. he's half French and half Italian, which is not bad com bination. There was good blood on both sides, but no money on either, so that's why he didn't finish the med ical course that he came over here to take. When his funds ran out he goes back to Italy, drifts up into Switzer- land and gets job as assistant house doctor in this sanitarium where they were trying to cure Count yecchi of seeing pink whiskered tadpoles and other variegated fauna"
 Really. now, Mr. Devine!" protested MT. Hewington.
 "Why shy so at the facts?" asked the Cherub. Count or no count, that was his complaint. Why, his nerves were in such shape he couldn't even sign his name to letter. And that's where young Dr. Cunetto was let in. When the counts remittance from you was overdue he dictates letter to Francois. He gets him to cash your check, too. and Francois learns the whole story about the runaway count ess and her rich father. Then the count dies. A delayed check comes in, and the doctor is tempted to see that the money isn't wasted; also he observes that the passing of the count is kept quiet. It occurs to him that you hadn't been notified of the sad event. That being the case, he sees no reason why the remittances shouldn't con tinue, so he keeps you posted on the dates when they're due. See how it works out?'
 "Why, the scoundrelr' exclaimed Mir. Hewington. Eve been swindled l! I shall write to him at once and''-
 No need to write. He's over here. He's coming to call on you this after noon."
 ''The impudent rascal! Why, I-l shall have him apprehendedT
 q hope not" said the Cherub mild ly. "That would complicate things. We didn't treat him very well the last time he was here"
 "The last time!" echoed Mir. Hew- ington.
 "Yes. He was the chap we had shut up in the icehouse, you know. He was scouting around to see what style you lived in before he played his cards"
 "The unprincipled wretch!'
 "He isn't as honest as he might be, but then circumstances have been against him."
 q shall refuse to hear word from him, sirw declared Mir. Hewington.
 Now, that's too bad. He's coming to refund the amount he tricked you out of. You see, I've taken him on my private staff and advanced him six months pay, so he could start square. Isn't that better than getting into legal snarl with him, ehT
 But I fail to understand MT. De- vine. What is your motive in doing | 4, ,ts,g