The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-03-25

vi ONntlHs
what about his bank account? ?
Doesn't that cut any ice?"
NO." said the countess slowly, n
hint Of regret in her tone. "a gentle
man may be poor. For instance, my
father is no longer wealthy, he does
but he is honorable. he is thoughtful
Of others, so he is a gentleman"
"And I'm not, eh?'
"Oh. no. no! l did not mean to say
that. / couldn't say It, IL do not
know you well enough. l merely ask
ed you TO decide for yourself"
The countess bit her lip from vexa-
ton. She was cornered and knew It..
But was she beaten2 Did you ever
see woman defeated by mere logic?
That's unfair" she replied reproach-
fully. You know l haven't said any
thing Of the kind. All did say was
that l ought TO go back, and | must"
'Then / suppose I'll just have to
keep right on going TO the dogs" OBJ
served the Cherub dolefully. Il didn't
know was quite such n hopeless case.
though"
"Oh, it isn't that; it isn't that"' pro,
tested the countess.
Must be-" declared the Cherub. If
1t wasn't you wouldn't run away like
this. Why. I'm so bad that you won't
talk TO me. l don't suppose that you'd
even shake hands with any one so
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.
"Oh. you mustn't feel that way-you
mustn't" she pleaded. "Of course
will. Therew Impulsively 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
tail, gray haired man of stern face
and dignified bearing appeared behind
them. He seemed very much aston
ished at the scene.
adele, who is thisF" he demanded.
This, father. is Mr.. Devine" 1t
was finely done-no hesitancy. no
trembling of voice. no wavering of the
eyes.
Not the-the'-
Yes. the Cherub. Isn't it. Mr.. De-
vine|
Mr. nov;,,o ,,oddod . 1.oaa ..a...,
assent.
But, Adele. this is entirely unex-
pected. / had no idea that you were
acquainted with this-er-Mr. Devine."
II have only been telling him that l
should not see him again during his
stay"
"Ah! Quite proper. / am sure that
Mr. Devine does not expect it. Good
day, sir. Come. Adele"
Dutifully the countess followed her
father out of the garden.
The ash on Mr.. Devines cigar, how
ever. was not an eighth of an inch
longer before he was surprised TO seq
Mr.. Hewington reappear before him.
The Hewingtons, it seemed. were ad-
dicted to postscripts.
"Wonder if he's come back with
stick" reflected the Cherub.
But Mr.. Hewington's manner was
not openly hostile.
ut has just occurred to me. Mr. De
vine" he began, that you might fancy
our attitude somewhat discourteous. II
SO, you are in error We are merely
maintaining under rather awkward
conditions our customary reserve. Do
you follow me. sir?"
81 get a glimmer now and then"
complacently rejoined the Cherub
"You mean that you're not mixers
Mr.. Hewington smiled coldly at the
metaphor. Society is apt to make
distinctions" he continued. Perhaps
you do not know that our family has
been prominent since colonial times.
My great-aunt married son Of the
Marquis de Lafayette"
'Never met the gentleman" com.
mented the Cherub
Probably not. He came to An eri
in 1915"
$50? Then he got here before did"
Mr. Hewington ignored this remark.
This estate, Mr.. Devine, was part OF
the original grant. In my fathers
time it extended for fifteen miles along
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 a guest
here during his tour of this country
In the present house the late Mrs
Hewington and myself have welcomed
many distinguished personages. Then,
as you know, my daughter is the Count
ess Vecchi, allied by marriage to one
of the noblest families OF Lombardy."
Seems to be heard something
about that"
Possibly, possibly" Mr. Hewington
waved his eyeglasses lmpatiently Il
am telling you these things. Mr.. De
vine, that you may have II better un-
derstanding of our attitude. Since the
death OF the count she has lived in
saclusiOn She has almost entirely