Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-07-05
CHAPTER VIII.

abrupt 1dSulOu. IL 1OulC
them sitting in sunny
corner Of the library. The Cherut
was smoking one Of his fat. black
cigars by special request Of the count
ess, and he was regarding with ap
proving eyes her slim white fingers as
they employed an ivory needle in the
fashioning Of some utterly useless af
fair that looked like a lot of holes
edged with spider webs.
She was wearing some kind Of a
house gown. with lace falling allur.
ingly away from her white neck and
| rounded arms. Somehow or other the
Cherub felt that he was enjoying a
rare privilege. He was inclined to
accept the gift humbly and in silence,
fearful lest it be taken suddenly away
from him.
And then came Eppings to announce
the presence Of Mr.. Nicholas Wallo-
way. adding that his errand was ur-
gent and important.
Perhaps had better take my work
into another room," suggested the
countess, starting to rise.
mo, no! Don't disturb the cobwebs.
Nick's business isn't half SO important
as he thinks it is. Bring him right in,
Eppings."
But l had rather not
Whatever her protest might have
been. it was cut short by the prompt
entrance Of young Mr.. Walloway. He
stopped abruptly. and It seemed as If
his gray eyes stared hungrily at the
pretty picture she made. standing
there In the morning sunshine. The
color went from his cheeks. and his
lips were tensely drawn.
We'll, Nick, you see I'm still rusti-
eating. Great, isn't it?' smiled the
Cherub.
With ar obvious effort young Mr..
Walloway shook off his embarrass-
ment. Acknowledging the Countess
Vecchi with a stiffiy formal bow, he
turned to the Cherub.
You must forgive me, Devine. for
hunting You up like this. but thought
! ought to do it. It's matter Of bust
ness. Couldn't We And he looked
suggestively at the door.
II haven't any Office here, Nick. and
this room is as good as any other. You
mustn't mind. countess. Any business
do today will not take long"
But began Mr.. Walloway.
"Oh, let's have 1t. Nick. Bottom
dropped out Of something's" The Cher
ub was smiling amiably.
II rather think you would have
thought so If you had been on the
floor just before closing yesterday.
The Bates Rimmer crowd Is after P.
q. and N. believe they mean to COB
BILE it up"
"Ah. that gang, eh?' This time the
Cherub showed his white teeth when
he smiled.
"They began it as soon as they found
you were not on deck. and they've
been at it ever since. Your brokers
had ten clerks out looking for you"
Got nervous, did they?"
NERVOUS! Why. man, didn't you
see where P. z. and N. closed yester-
day."
Haven't read paper since I've
been here. Nick. and don't intend to.
When you so back tell my brokers to
keep COOL"
"But the Bates-Rimmer crowd
mean mischief. Cherub. There's lot
Of them in big pool. and they're ham,
mering your railroad holdings right
and left. Some one has been leaking
Information. and they're hitting you
where it will hurt. When l saw how
things were going began wiring you.
Didn't you get the messages?"
Il knew those must be from you.
Nick; no one else knew where l was"
But why didn't you answer"
"Well. l didn't read them. for one
thing; was too busy. We were hav-
ing bully time. the countess and I.
feeding the swans"
Feeding the swans!" Mr.. Nicholas
Walloway made gesture indicating
despair.
Did you ever watch swans squabble
for sweet crackers. NickT"
Crackers! You might just as we'll
have thrown punches Of thousand dol
lar bills at them. Why, Cherub. p, z.
and n. opened at 1858 this morning.
As soon as l found you hadn't shown
up l started for you. had my car
meet me at the station. and it's outside
now. We can just make the 1870 |
back. and perhaps you'll be in time to
stop them before it's all over. Come
on: let's start"
Sorry. Nick. but couldn't think Of
IT, I'm taking holiday. you see."
what! Do you mean to say that
you're not coming?" Mr.. Walloway
gazed doubtingly at the Cherub.
Not today, Nick"
n0L "a CharNh dan,f ha anil