The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-04-22
q Cller1lb
1 - Devine
By
SEWELL FORD
< - Copyright 1909. by Mitchell Kennerley 81
CHAPTER Y.
n NICHOLAS squirmed a little in
N his chair.
| VI "Mr. Devine is in many ways
oro renarkable man"

IL hadn't thought of his talents as
being misdirected," he said slowly.
But he has evidently been listening
to some one who thinks as you do, for
he tells me that he has given up spec
ulating in stocks"
"He-he has given up! Why?
WhenT'
AT noon today, when he obtained
control of the p. u. and n. railroad
and became it's president"
"A railroad president! Why, that is
Quite-quite respectable, isn't it?'
Almost" gravely assented Mr.. Wal
loway.
Isn't he splendid?" exclaimed the
countess. ciasping her hands. "And
don't you think, Nicholas, now that he
has-well, reformed-that he will be
asked about among nice peopleT
MY dear countess" began Nicholas,
once more assuming the judicial pose,
you must not forget that he is still
Cherub Devine. AS a successful ma
nipulator of stock he is entitled to re-
spect; as a railroad president he will
be a financial power to be reckoned
with; as to his social fitness, that is
matter to which l have not given the
attention which you appear
Am l being lectured, Nicholas Wal
lowayT asked the countess demurely.
Il trust we have known each other
long enough, Adele, for me to offer a
friendly suggestion. But if you resent
SUCH
"Oh, no! Go on, Nicholas. What
else about Mr.. Devine?"
Young Mr.. Walloway flushed under
the subtle mockery of her eyes.
Nothing more, countess" and he
bowed stiffly, "only | did not know
that you considered Mr.. Devine a-a"-
The countess laughed lightly. "Oh,
I've told him he wasn't"
"You-you said that to the Cherub?"
The countess nodded.
And he-what did he
HE said he had never claimed to be
gentleman"
"Ahr Young Mr.. Walloway seemed
to have gained a new viewpoint His
exclamation was one of relief. Now
he could understand the attitude of
the countess toward Cherub Devine.
1t was merely an impersonal interest
which she had taken in a somewhat
picturesque public character whom
she had CHANGED to see at close range.
Il beg pardon for my suggestion, y
he went On. Il see you know the
Cherub better than | thought. Inter
esting chap, isn't he? He has his
good points, too-oh, really, has a code
OF honor all his own that he sticks to
as faithfully as if it were-well, the
accepted code. And he is generosity
itself to those whom he fancies."
rs he, indeed"
There was an encouraging note in
her tone.
"Oh, extremely! Now. in the matter
of buying those shares, they were
never actually quoted at that figure,
you know, but he needed them very
badly. and he fixed the price accord
ingly. whereas he might have pur-
chased them for a fifth as much and
still paid you the highest market
rate"
Then he practically makes me a
gift of this?' And the countess tlut
tered the pink check disdainfully.
shares for you, knowing how badly he
needed them. | could have forced hin
to pay even more. No, it was a bust
ness transaction. but generosity was
displayed none the less. And his Offer
to hand over HewingtOn Acres at youi
own terms-that is another example
OF course he doesn't want the place
on his hands, but he could readily dis
pose of 1t at a profit. Evidently he
wishes you to retain possession, how
ever"
$50 it would appear" mused tn
countess. 81 wonder why"
Nicholas pursed his lips quizzically
Il suppose it has not occurred to yO
that he might be-well, interested Il
you|
The countess eyed him with cool uI
concern.
''Pm afraid you are making rathe
an impudent guess. Mr. Walloway."
But it's no guess. Devine told m
himself-that is, he as good as cor
fessed as much"
Her calm poise was rufied Colo
flashed into her cheeks betrayingly.
"Do you mean to imply that he tall
ed to you of-of meT she demanded.
''Well. will admit that l drew hiI
out could see 1t plain enough, yo
know, and when l asked him he didn
attempt to deny, although he did hav
the grace TO protest his own unworth
ness Good of him, wasn't It? ol
yes, he has improved the opportunitiG
Won gave himI He has had the audac
ty to fall in love with you, COUNTIES
My congratulations on your conquest
He held his head at knowing angl
'Then why did he send you here t
day instead OF coming himselfT