The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-03-23
CHAPTER I.

"HOSE who doubt that fate now
and then INDUCES in irony
should have observed the man.
i ner in which Hewington Acres
came into the possession Of "Cherub'
Devine.
Bulkins, the real estate agent who
made the sale, attributes the whole
credit of the transaction to his own
shrewdnesS. But, then, Bulkins is one
of those persons who would cheerfully
call upon the entire universe to prove
that he (Bulkins) was favored above
all other men in that respect. Does
the sun shine? Bulkins knew it would
and for his profit. There comes a
storm. Bulkins appropriates it, wrings
a percentage therefrom and winks con-
fdently at the solar system whose op-
erations are conducted for his especial
and particular benefit
Il can sell anything, anywhere"
This was Bulkins' philosophy, his re-
ligion, his declaration OF faith In him
self
And of course Bulkins knew the hab-
its and ways of Cherub Devine. Ev-
cry one knew them Any One-the
man in the street, the clerk behind
the counter, the very newsboy at the
curb-could tell you all about Cherub,
give you his entire history, from the
time he started his career as Office
boy for Chicago stockbrOker until he
evolved into the many millioned specu-
lator whose audacious methods were
at that moment stirring things up In
Wall street Each and every one could
have told you exactly the kind of man
he was and missed the mark widely,
for such men are not so easily eSti-
mated.
Perhaps it was this, visible in his
wide set blue eyes, with the flashes of
light behind; perhaps it was only the
pink chubbiness Of his cleanly shaven
face, which earned him the name of
Cherub, Il designation applied impair
TALLY by pert messenger boys, irrev-
erent brokers and staid heads of great
corporations. He had been christened
otherwise, of course, and possibly
Cherub was inappropriate when you
consider all that he was or seemed to
be, but the designation was universal
ly accepted, as you know.
Just where he might be expected to
be found Bulkins had run across him,
seated comfortably in a leather COW
cred, wide armed office chair at an
open window which looked out across
Broad street toward the more or less
ornate front of the New York Stock
Exchange.
The time was little past noon of
an August Saturday. Therefore the
stream of men was setting outward
between the great pillars. The curb
was lined with hansoms and autos,
and into these climbed brokers vari-
ously attired, variously burdened
Here came one in blue serge wearing
yachting cap. there two who swung
golf bags in their hands. Others were
followed by boys carrying kit bags.
Hello, Cherub. They got after you
today, eh? Planning how to get even,
are you:"
Mr.. Devine showed no resentment
Maybe 1 was,' said he
Bulkins snorted out a mirthless
laugh.
Good. Sic 'em, my boy That's
what Id do. When they think they've
got me beat worst bob up aud go at
'em hardest. But. say, You ought to
take rest once in awhile. Does q
man good. You ought He grinned
broadly. "Oh, l say, Cherub," drop
ping his tone, I've got just the thing
you ought to have-a country place."
Yes Mr.. Devine acknowledged
the joke by tiicking half an inch Of
cigar ash on the window ledge.
You bet"' Bulkins was smoothing
Cherub's coat sleeve. It's Hewing-
ton Acres-up on the sound-gilt edged
suburban property. and going dirt
cheap on foreclosure. You know
about the Hewingtons: swell family,
but gone all to smash financially.
Now. there's twenty acres of park
along the water nice little forty room
cottage
Only forty:"
with stables. lodge house, garden
er's shack and the like. Its fully fur
nished and goes as it stands, even to
the servants IL you want them. Just