The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-04-08


] "Oh, no! Then she knew all along
that-that- Oh. Gomez! DO you thinb
can swallow that? Why. say. you
blamed bush dodger. do you expect me
to believe she would deliberately tel
me-
"Ah. but that's just the pointP
broke In the count. Ibid sheY
And when he came to think 1t over
the Cherub could not recall that the
Countess Vecchi had ever said or i'm.
piled that her husband was dead.
ut strikes me that you don't help
matters mnch by coming over here
and playing tag around her shrub
berry," suggested the Cherub. II might
add that it's apt to be heap safer for
! you not TO do So
"Merciw murmured the count. quite
undisturbed. But there's no danger.
| haven't the least intention of seeing
the countess. much less OF speaking to
| her. | had much rather talk to her
attorneys"
Want to see her lawyers. Ell? Well.
she don't keep them out here in the
! bushes"
This time the count INDUCED 10 quite
genuine smile.
my dear MIR. Devine." he protest
ed. you don't understand the situa-
ton. Perhaps If you did you could
be of help TO me. Allow me to state.
then. that it was not to revive a long
dead sentiment which brought me to
America, but sordid little matter of
money. TO be definite. there was a
marriage settlement. a paltry affair in
the shape of a promised yearly in
come. AT first it was paid in full and
regularly; then the payments came at
irregular intervals and were only par
tial or late they have ceased. am
informed by Mr. Hewington that he
finds it impossible to continue them.
AS though 1 would believe that! So
come here to see for myself il the
rich Mr. Hewington has suddenly be-
come beggar. And this is what /
find" Count Vecchi shrugged mis-
shoulders. spread out his palms and
indicated the broad expanse of Hew-
ington Acres.
Such an estate does not suggest
poverty to me. Now | am prepared 10
interview the attorneys of my wife,
the countess"
a twinkle of amusement appeared In
the blue eyes of Mr.. Devine.
Imagine you can collect. do you?"
he asked
81 can make the attempt 1t depends.
suppose. on what value MIR. Hewing-
ton sets upon his word and whether or
not he is willing to have his pleasant
little fiction us to a defunct sOn-in-Ia W
exposed. What do you think%
Mr.. Devine could appreciate audaci-
ty. He grinned
Il think you're slick article" said
he, land | should say you had got 'em.
Looks TO me as If Mr.. Hewington
would either have to chlorororm you
or buy you off"
Count vecchi INDUCED in a nom
chalant shrug.
Il ask only what is justly due. One
cannot live without money"
There's more or less truth in that,
count. only And Mr.. Devine pursed
her cnerubic mouth quizzically. over
here we don't make IA practice Of chok-
ing our wives to get it."
Bah" The count waved aside this
reference TO his brief domestic career
Over here | shall make my dema nds
fhnnl1oh An No.,
tiveS"
You're improving. Going to call on
them today"
AS soon us | can get message to
the countess and learn the names OF
her attorneys"
"Oh. see! Now. wait Let me
think that over minute" The Cher
ub rubbed his pink chin thoughtfully.
You say you don't insist upon seeing
the countess personally; all you want
is the address of her lawyers"
The count nodded.
Then I'll tell you what we might
do" suggested Mr.. Devine. Lets go
up and ask Timmins to find out We
seen. What do you say?"
The count was quite willing. He Of
fered Mr.. Dcvine cigarette in his
most affable manner, and when the
Cherub has rescued his straw hat
they started off through the maze of
bluestone walks for the stables.
On reaching the office he left the
count outside and went in alone to
consult Timmins.
Ever see a picture of Count Wee
chi"' he asked Timmins.
Yes, Timmins had, but not for a
couple of years.
Take squint through the window
at the chap outside" said Mr.. Devine
did the picture look anything like
him?"
Timmins peered through the glass.
"Yes. very like him. sir, he went Oh.
Cherub.
Not the one that they said was
Yes, but he says he isn't. Claims
he never died ut all. Now, what do
you guess he's here for?''
Judging by what I've heard. sir, l
should say he might be after money"
'Timmins. you're mind reader.
That's just what he is after"
why. the sneaking unmannerly vii
lain" exploded Timmins. He ought
to be put in Jail. sir"
well, something ought to be done
with him. What's that little stone