Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-03-31

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The countess bit her lip from vexa-
ton. She was cornered and knew 1t.
But was she beaten? Did you ever
see woman defeated BY mere logic?
That's unfair" she replied reproach-
fully. "You know / haven't said any
thing Of the kind All I did say was
that ought to 60 back, and I must"
Then suppose I'll Just have to
keep right on going to the dogs" Oh
served the Cherub dolefully. II didn't
know was quite such hopeless case,
though"
"Oh, It isn't that; it isn't THAR pro-
tested the countess
"Must be-" declared the Cherub. "1f
1t wasn't you wouldn't run away like
this. Why, I'm so bad that you won't
talk to me. d2nt suppose that you'd
even shake h;s0s with any one 20
wicked"
1t may have been merely impulse.
perhaps 1t was the pathetic spectacle
Of the Cherubs injured feelings-tears
showed suddenly In the brown eyes of
the countess.
/ OuS yOu IuuStu lccl luuS Why-yOu
mustn't" she pleaded. "Of course
WILL There" 1npulsively she ex.
tended both hands to him. Rather
awkwardly Mr.. Devine took them in
his. Then he did not know what to
do next, whether to let go or to hold
on.
He had not fully decided when n
TALL gray haired man Of stern face
and dignif1ed bearing appeared behind
them He seemed very much aston
Lshed at the scene.
adele. who Is this?" he demanded
This. father. is Mr.. Devine" 1t
was finely donc-nc hesitancy. no
trembling Of voice. no wavcring Of the
eyes.
mot the-the"-
"Yes. the Cherub Isn't it, Mr.. De
vine"'
Mr. Devine nodded a good natured
assent
But. Adele. this is entirely unex-
rscted. l had no idea that you were
acquainted with this-er-AIr. Dcvine"
II have only been telling him that
should not see him again during his
stay"
"Ah! Quite proper. am sure that
Mr.. Devine does not expect 1t. Good
day. sir. Come. Adele"
Dutifully the countess followed her
father out Of the garden
The ash on Mr.. DPvine's cigar. how
Ger was not an eighth of an inch
40 ta YtnC N1 tn
Mr.. Hewington reappear before him.
The Hewingtons. it seemed, were ad-
dicted to postscripts.
"WOnder if he's come bacl- with a
stick, reflected the Chcrub.
But MIR IIcwlngton's manner WAS
MT openly hostile.
at has just occurred to me. Nr. De
vine" he began, that you might fancy
our attitude somewhat discourteo.s. IF
80. you are in error. We are merely
malny!ning under rather awkward
conditions our customary reserve. DO
you follow me. sir;"
Il get glimmer now and then"
complacently reioned the Cherub.
"You mean that you're not mixers"
Mr.. Hewlngton smiled coldly at the
metaphor. Society is apt to make
J distinctions" he continued Perhaps
you do not know that our family has
been prominent since colonial times.
Ny great-aunt married son Of the
Marquis de Lafayette"
"Never met the gentleman" com.
mented the Chcrub.
Probably no.. He came to America
In 1915"
$50? Then he got hero before did"
Mr.. Hcwingtor ignored this remark
"This euthte, Mr.. Devinc. was part Of
the original grant In my fathers
time IT extended Cor fifteen miles a.ong
the sound. The old mansion. which
stood for nearly a century, was hon
ored by the presence OF such men as
Daniel Webster, President Tyler and
others. Charles Dickens was guest
here during his tour OF this country.
In the present house the late Mrs.
Hcwlngton and myself have welcomed
many distinguished personnees. Then,
as you know. my daughter is the Count
ESQ Vecchi. allied by marriage to one
of the noblest families of Lombardy."
Seems to be heard something
about that
POSSIBLY, possibly" Mr. Hewlugton
waved his eyeglasses impatlen;ly. 81
am telling you these things, Mr.. De-
vine that you may have n better UNI
Outstanding of our attitude. Since the
death Of the count she has lived in
scclusion. She has almost entirely
withdrawn from society"
Mr., Devine looked kecnly at the old
gentleman. II see" he observed.
"Kind Of fioclss by herself Well, I've
no objection. ! didn't come up here
especially TO get acquainted with you
folks, you know. In fact. you and the
countess were rather sprung on me az
a surprise"
Mr.. IIcwington might have been
seen to shudder. my dear Mr.. Do.
vine" he protested. 81 fear that you
still fail to realize our position. Cir
cumstances compel us to remain here
during your stay. There is my sis.
ter
Eyes, I know all about that, and l
wouldn't for the world disturb the
sick lady. I'm Just trying to be So
clablc ! want you to stay until you're
ready to leave"
you see Mr.. Devine. my plans for
the immediate future are very uncer.
tain"