Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-05-12

SoihAhe w sOhAeh" AAhRSA
tant."
AS result Hewington Acres hum
med with anticipation. What could 1t
mean? What had happened? What
was going to happen?
Eppings was certain that Mr.. Devine
was bringing home some titled guest.
possibly duke or lord, and he pre-
pared dinner accordingly. The count
ess was puzzled Even Mr.. Hewing-
ton emerged from his study and want
ed to know why every one seemed SO
disturbed.
Its because of Mr.. Devine. SIR"
said Eppings. Hes coming up on
special train. sir. and l must see about
the table at once. SIR"
Surely the particular frame of mind
which Mr.. Devine had conjured up for
himself was quite worthy Of better
audience than he gave It, although he
was neither serene nor filed with con-
fident Joy. But he was very much
alive. He dubbed. sparkled. scintil-
lated. His mental faculties, never dull,
were at their keenest. His spirits
seemed to be dashed by veritable
storm Of animation. one moment soar
ing to giddy heights. the next sinking
to dark depths.
Young Mr.. Walloway, who was his
sole companion, was somewhat dis
gusted with this illogical behavior.
Much against his will be had been
dragged from his office to accompany
the Cherub Just when there was much
work to be done.
"Oh. the railroad be blowed, Nick.
Lots Of time to attend to that. Forget
It."
Yet now that they were well started
toward Hewington Acres the Cherub
evinced a desire to talk. although the
precise topic at which he was aiming
was not clear. 1t was unrelated to
railroads. for the opening was Of an
intimate and personal nature.
mick, you rascal" he suddenly ex.
claimed. why aren't you married?"
"Why aren't you. Cherub?" he re.
torted.
"Mew Mr.. Devine affected to be
profoundly surprised at such a ques.
ton. Nov, come, Nick, what sort of
a fine woman would have Cherub De-
vine?"
You're too modest, Cherub. You
underrate yourself. suppose you
never tried?"
Never had chance, my boy. Why
see here, Nick. there's never been a
time in all my life that I've had even
a speaking acquaintance with real
good woman, such as you know by the
dozen-that Is. leaving out the last
few days, of course. Now. with you
it's been different You've had q
chance to pick and choose"
"Ah. have II"
Cherub Devine caught the subdued
note of pain in the quick rejoinder.
"You don't mean. Nick, that you got
a rundown
Brusque as were the words, they
carried message of sympathetic feel.
Ing which rang true. and that was the
quality which made so many friends
for Cherub Devine. Young Mr.. Wallo-
onhand condolences. but he nodded his
head In assent
Unexpectedly finding himself an In.
truder on private grounds. Mr. Devine
curbed his buoyancy and gazed with
embarrassed emotion at the proprietor
thereof
''Oh, WELL" he observed, maybe
you're just as well OF. Guess 1t was
some time ago, when you were young
and vealy, chr
4 was young ass, II that's what
you mean." cynically responded Nics.-
olaA Il was too sure Of her and
played the fool You sec, w were
youngsters together. playmatss. II
WAS one Of those affairs that every.
body understood was settled from the
ume we were a dozen years old. l
took It a. q matter Of course that !
was the only person she could ever
care for. In time she resented It. and