Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-06-17

the original grant. In my fathers
tirne 1t 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 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 noblcst families of Lombardy."
about that"
POSSIBLY. possibly" Mr.. Hewington
waved his eyeglasses impatiently. 81
am telling you these things. Mr.. De-
vine. that you may have a better un-
Outstanding of our attitude. Since the
death Of the count she has lived in
,seclusion. She has almost entirely
Withdrawn from society,""
Mr.. Devine looked keenly at the old
| gentleman. II see," he observed.
"kind of focks 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 We're rather sprung on me as
surprise"
/ Mr.. Hewington might have been
seen to shudder. "My dear Mr.. De-
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, know all about that. and l
wouldn't for the world disturb the
sick lady. I'm just trying to be So
ciable. want you to stay until you're
ready to leave"
You see, Mr.. Devine. my plans for
the immediate future are very uncer-
TAIN
yes. that seems to be the word.
What does the countess say about it,"
Il never discuss matters Of business
with my daughter. Women do not
understand such matters. OF course it
is necessary to have her sign papers
now and then. The lawyers insist on
it, some Of the property having been
left to her. but never try to explain
things which l do not fully compre-
bend myself. The sale of this place,
for instance, still perplexes me. l did
not desire it at all. ! suppose, how
ever, that it was necessary as mat
ter Of form. Probably you have a
clearer notion Of it than l, Mr.. De-
vine"
Your idea is bit hazy." admitted
the Cherub.
perhaps so, but presume that
your-er-possession here is only a
temporary arrangement. Matters will
soon be adjusted, suppose, when my
attorneys finally get around to it. My
daughter was more or less worried un-
til assured her that would attend
to the affair personally"
"Then she cheered up, did she?" Mr..
Devine appeared to find the converse
ton entertaining.
'She was relieved, of course. But
I have been so engrossed in preparing
pamphlet Orwell. on a scientific
subject which would not be Of inter-
est to you-that have neglected to
take the proper steps. However, now
that you thoroughly understand the
situation. l trust that you will not
act hastily"
ooh, l shan't put you out or any
thing like that, Mr.. Hewington. Make
your mind easy on that score"
1T is very considerable Of you, sir.
OF course until the affair Is settled we
shall not encroach on your technical
right of possession more than is abso-
lutely necessary. If the present ar
rangement is satisfactory would sug-
gest that it be continued"
The Cherub favored Mr.. Hewington
with whimsical smile. well, we'll
let the thing drift for awhile anyway.
Only you don't have to act as though
you were prisoners. Why don't you
and the countess come down to your
meals just rs though l wasn't here?"
"My dear sir Here Mr. Hewing-
ton began an exhaustive review Of the
situation. When he was through Mr..
Devine chuckled gleefully. 1t was an
amazingly simple proposition. The
Hewingtons were the Hewingtons. and
newell, he was Cherub Devine. That
told the story.
1t was all done very courteously and
delicately in Mr.. Hewington's fine, aris-
tocratic manner. yet nothing but the
superlative buoyancy of Mr.. Devine's
audacious soul saved him from being
utterly crushed.
II wish l could have dreams like
that" soliloquized the Cherub when
he had been left alone.
The possibilities incident upon &C.
quiring quiet country house were
surprising to Mr.. Cherub Devine.
Lets see," he reflected: "I'm not ez-
actly what you'd call an unwelcome
guest, am 1? guess l must be an
unwelcome host. then. and hanged IL
that isn't new one on me. But there's
worse and more Of it. I'm no gentle
man. for one item. Then. If Pm to be-
lieve all | hear about myself. I'm
deep dyed villain and an unregenerate
sinner who has butted into his own
house. Take it all around. things are
pretty badly mixed. Wonder what
program | ought to follow.
Mere ,r less though, did Mr.. Hcvi'e
bestow uncu the Countess; Wee, hi dur.
tn. the Ie,.t h'f hour. lie had
we'll Gcin.G iGen. had the Cheerful,
til It his i.l!.,,, ie.,'r - Ncmeh was vast
ard Gaer q! - h d %eea let's Of
t'n,n, "a ;,t.l ..,ti - Ill il. = TOO.