Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-05-27

THEN HE PRACTICALLY MAKES ME 4
GIFT OF TuIST
thought You would not accept his IA.
vors If offered directly. SO he asked
me to come. Me. Isn't that rich?"'
In just what way?" Aud so quiet.
ly did she ask 1t that Nicholas should
have had warning.
why. he doesn't know how long
have wuited for just such u chance.
But you know. Adele. and now
He had risen and was approaching
the countess with Outstretched arms
All that was needed to complete the
happy reunion was for her to throw
herself into them. However. that was
not precisely what happened.
Nicholas" said the countess reprov-
insly, ''sit down."
But II you will only just listen
to-
"rlease sit down. Nicholas"
Nicholas sat.
you used to tell me. Adele. that
you loved
did l? It's NO wonder. for you
were forever incoming around asking
me II did"
II can imagine no reason why you
should refuse to hear me say that
love you and
swell. there Is q reason. II there
wasn't l should invent one"
Il regret very deeply" he began,
with great humility. "that anything
have just said
Nov, that's better" said the Count.
ess vecchi re!enting cheerfully. "When
you start regrettlng very deeply you
don't In the least mean II. but you're
on the right track. Now forgive me
for bringing you up SO sharply and let
Us finish our business. Ought | to nc
cept all this money for those sharesT
Wouldn't ir seem rather strange
for you to demand less than Is Of.
fered?"
you're right. Well. l accept. then.
And do want to buy back our home
here. But l feel ought to deal direct.
ly with Mr.. Devine himself In that
matter. You will see that he comes.
will your"
Mr.. Walloway. assuming an air of
stately gloom, stalked away from
Hewington Acres. BY the time dinner
was over he had quite recovered his
usual pOise and felt equal to the task
Of calling up MIR. Devine.
"WellY queried the Cherub eagerly.
How did you come on with the
countessY'
Excellent" said Mr.. Walloway,
thinking only Of the business he had
been asked to transact. "It's oil set
tied. She accepts"
whats that. Nick? Accepts who?"
why. the check. She will buy back
the property too"
"Oh! Ii that ALL? An unmistakable
sigh Of satisfaction came over the
wires.
"She wants to see you about 1t,
though. Says she must deal direct
Wants to know II you can come to.
morrow"
"Why. sure I can. But say. Nick,
are you certain there's nothing else
no congratulations coming from meY
"Why-er-you might congratulate
the countess on making a good bargain
II you WISH
This was indefinite. but convincing.
"Poor old Nick" said the Cherub as
he hung up the receiver. Hes had
his tryout. though. Tomorrow it'll be
up to me-"
Cherub Devine, having resolutely
slashed away oil the entangling mesh
OF business cares. went smilinRly out
to HewIngton Acres and into the pres.
ence OF the Countess vecchi
well, countess, we smashed 'em
didn't we? And you had a hand In
II. after all Nick told you, ehY"
Evidently she had been standins
there Ia the window recess IN the
ltbrnry waiting for him. Whether By
accident or design II proved to be a very
elective pose. for the slender grace.
fulness Of her dark ROBBED figure came
out 10 strong relief against the dull
green window hangings. and the mel
low afternoon light showed the hint
Of color In the long oval OF her cheek.
"Yes. Nicholas has told me. Mr.. De.
vine-told me all about everything. lr
fact. he made quite full confession"
Decidedly this was not cordial
opening Her tone was cool. almost
cynical. Something was wrong
Il hope Nick didn't overdo the thing
countess. Did her"
I'm sure don't know, Mr.. Deyine
That all depends upon how much you
intended him to say"
well. be told you about bow hands
those shares came ipr'
"Yes."
"And the price he got for them and
how ] wanted you to buy back the
house?" @s
"All of those things Nicholas ex
planned fully"
"And It's all right Isn't 1T AM
hitch over detailsr'
The countess walked to a table and
picked up long document envelope.