Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-06-03
Il hardly InIuk the countess will b


instantly the situation cleared TOT
the Chcrub So that WAS what she had
meant by her mysterious protestsI
"Oh. ho. Then she knew all along
that-that- Oh. come. DO you think
| can swallow that? Why, say. you
blamed bush dodger. do you expect me
to believe she would deliberately tell
me-
''Ah. but that's just the point?
broke in the count did she?'
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 much 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"
"Merciv' murmured the count, quite
undlsturbed. but there's no danger.
l 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, eh? Well.
she don't keep them out here In the
bushes"
This time the count INDUCED In quite
q genuine smile.
my dear Mr. Devine." he protest
ed. you don't understand the situa.
ton. Perhaps II you did you could
be of help to me. Allow me to state.
then. that 1t was not to revive 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 1t was paid In full and
regularly: then the payments came at
irregular intervals and were only par
tiaL OF late they have ceased. ! am
Informed by Mr.. Hewington that he
finds It impossible to continue them
As though / would believe that! So
come here to see for myself II the
rich Mr.. Hewington has suddenly be
come a beggar. And this Is what }
find!" Count vecchi shrugged mis-
shoulders. spread out his palms ana
indicated the broad expanse of Hew
ington Acres.
Such an estate does not suggest
poverty to me. Now am prepared to
interview the attorneys OF my wife.
the countess"
A twinkle of amusement appeared IN
the blue eyes Of Mr.. Devtne.
Imagine you can collect. do your
he asked.
Il can make the attempt 1t depends.
I suppose, on what value Mr. Hewing-
ton sets upon his word aud whether or
not he IL willing to have his pleasant
little fiction as to a defunct son-in- Ia "
exposed. What do you Think
Mr.. Devine could appreciate audaci.
ty. lie grinned
Il think you're n slick article" said
he. land should say you had got 'em.
Looks to the as il Mr. HewingtoD
would either have to chloroform you
or buy you Of"
Count Vecchi INDUCED In a non.
chaiant shruy
Il ask only what IL justly due. One
cannot live without money"
There's more or less truth In that,
count. only And Mr.. Devine pursed
Der cherublc month quizzically. lover
here we don't make practice Of chok.
ing our wives to get It,
''Rah!" The count waved aside this
reference to his brief domestic career
Over here I shall make my demands
through niadame's legal representa-
tives"
"You're improving Going to call on
them today"
AS soon as can get message t.
the countess and learn the names of
her attorneys"
''Oh. see: Now. walt Let me
think that over minute" The Cher
NIB rubbed his pink chin thoughtfully
You say you don't insist upon seeing
the countess personally: all you wan
Is the address Of her lawyers"
The count nodded
Then III tell you what we nigh
do" suggested Mr. Devine. Lets z,
UP and ask Timmins to find out. W.
can get to his Office without be.n.
seen. What do you sayw
The count wa; quite willing. He Of
feredN MIR. DcviEc cigarette in hi,
most affaDle manner. and when the
Cherub has Rescued his straw hal
they started OF through the maze OF
bluestoIe walks for the stables.
On reaching the Office lie left the
count outside and went in alone to
consult Timmins
Ever see picture Of Count vec
chi:" he asked Timmins.
Yes. Timnins had. but not for q
couple of years.
Take a squint through the window
at the chap outside" sail Mr.. Devlne
Ibid the picture look anything like
him?"
Timmins peered through the glass.
"Yes, very like him, sir" lie went ON.
'Then that's him." declared the
Cherub.
mot the one that they said was
Eyes, but he says he isn't. Claims
he never died at oil. Now. what do
you guess he's here forY
Judging by what I've heard, sir, l
should say he might be after money"
"Timmins, you're a 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
coop without any windows down there
by the swan lake"
That's the icehouse, SIR"
Full up, is itY"
"Oh, no. sir; not now, sir. It's very
near empty, l think"
Room for a cot bed and a chair or
SO, is there"
Timmins grinned expressively.
Plenty Of room, SIR"
How about air, T.mminsY
Excellent ventilation, sir. Hos to