Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-07-01

CHAPTER VII.
"TUT why should l stay here
X Why do you want me tc
ID st az,
IL The countess was asking
Mr.. Devine these questions with as
much sincerity as If there could be nc
possible reason why he should object
to her leaving Hewington Acres.
"Why-why. because you ought to,
because l want you to stay. Don't
you see? ! want you to stay"
For the better part of the day the
Cherub had been waiting for just this
opportunity. Now that it had come
he stood staring at her With a blank.
baffled look in his blue eyes.
The countess glanced curiously at
him with light laugh.
He had found her in her favorite
retreat. rustic summer house perched
on little point Of rocks which jutted
out into the sound and marked the
eastern boundary of the estate.
IT'S very kind Of you. Mr.. Devine,"
she said. "1'm sure. but don't feel
that l can accept such a favor from
well. from a stranger. you know"
We'll get acquainted then"
But the countess firmly held to the
point. Hewington Acres was no long
er her home; therefore she must leave
it at once
perhaps 1t is mine. but don't
want the place." urged the Cherub.
~ just bought 1t for a Joke. I'll tell
you what I'm going to do-rm going
to sell it back to your father. I'll let
it go cheap for the sake of getting rid
of it,
The countess shook her head at this
proposal. Father could not buy It
back" she said.
''Or may rent 1t to him."
mo: we must go away somewhere
and get another home-a home of our
own"
Il believe It's just because I am
here that you're in such hurry to
60. If ! should clear out now and not
come back until
mo. nor protested the countess. II
shouldn't feel like staying a minute
after you had gone-not a minute.
While you are here ! am. in way,
your guest. but If you were not here
Then I'll stay" declared the Cherub.
"1'll stay here week. month. any
time"
"Oh. no. you wouldnt!' quickly re-
piled the countess. Il have seen stock
spectators before. They are just as
much slaves Of the market as the
wretched men who haunt the gam.
bling halls Of Monte Carlo are slaves
Of the roulette wheel. No; you will be
back in VIII street tomorrow MORN
ing. eager for the game. 1t is all you
live -yulation. speculation"
The Cuerub was dumb before this
outburst 1t had been so unexpected.
"Of course have no right to say
such things to YOU" she continued
more soberly. II did not intend to say
them either. You have been very kind
to Us. and IL admire you in many
ways. But you should not have tr'>-
10 make me believe too much. IAN
have had one experience with man
who was"-she hesitated at the con-
was gambler"
She lad turned to hide the sudden
lush that crept into her cheeks. Sup
pressed emotion was gently shaking
Ter shoulders.
AS in fash Cherub Devine knew
Exactly what he wanted to do now.
md it was only by clasping his hands
esolutely behind his back that he
,ept from taking her in his arms and
otherwise making spectacle of him
elf. He saw it all. Even II she did
espise him he was in love with the
Vecchi.
The revelation c"me with stunning
bruptness. like I glimpses of food.
d roadway whe che lightning had IL.
animated theiiH Say last night. Yes,
e loved her.
If she shou' know! He was fairly
ppalled at lis own audacity. Sup.
ose she should be at this moment
1aking the discovery which he had
lst made! Would she shrink away
rom him In terror or would she laugh
ut him? She was king
long silver hatpln through the %
uer hat and listlessly watching the
lngy sails Of coasting schooner that
as crawling up the sound. He breath
! more freely. She did not know. then.
There. you'll forgive me. will you
ot?" she said. turning SO quickly to-
ard him that he started guilty. II
1T mean to lecture you-really l
dnt. And now must say goodby."
"You-must-say-goodby" He re- .
'ated the words duly
why. yes. ] have decided to 60 to
wn tonight. shall ask you to let
lmmins drive me to the station this
me. You will not go until morning.
supDose."