Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-06-16

forbidding austerity with which Ep-
pings chose to regard him as he in
Quired for the countess.
After some moments. during which
ne paced up and down the reception
hall, Mr.. Devine was shown into the
library with as much Formally as II
this was his first visit Nor was the
attitude Of Mr.. Hewington as he re-
ceived the Cherub at all reassuring.
I've been looking up that count Of
yours" remarked the Cherub. Hes
been defunct for nearly two years. !
had man investigate the records. and
it's all o. X"
Impossible. Mr.. Devine! Why-why
Il have been in communication with
him."
THAT was your mistake. You've
been in communication with a smooth
young chap who couldn't resist the
chance to play new bunko game for
all II was worth. How were the let
tiers signed which came from the count
after he was sent to that sanitariumT
by his secretary. l believe. Per
r. c. That was It,"
Sure! And the r. G. stood for
Francois CunettO. I've had heart to
heart talk with Francois and got his
whole history. AS you might guess
by his name. he's half French and
half Italian. which is not bad COM
bination. There was good blood on
both sides. but no money on either.
so that's why he didn't finish the med
ical course that he came over here to
take. When his funds ran out he goes
back to Italy. drifts up into Switzer-
land and gets job as assistant house
doctor in this sanitarium where they
were trying to cure Count Vecchi Of
seeing pink whiskered tadpoles and
other variegated fauna"
Really. now, Mr.. Devinew protested
Mr.. Hewlngton.
"Why shy SO at the facts?" asked
the Cherub. Count or no count. that
was his complaint. Why. his nerves
were In such shape he couldn't even
sign his name to letter. And that's
where young DR.. Cunetto was let in.
When the counts remittance from you
was overdue he dictates a letter to
Francois. He gets him to cash your
check. too. and Francois learns the
whole story about the runaway count
ess and her rich father. Then the
count dies. A delayed check comes
In, and the doctor is tempted to see
that the money isn't wasted also he
observes that the passing of the count
Is kept quiet 1t occurs to him that you
hadn't been notified Of the sad event
That being the case. he sees no reason
why the remittances shouldn't con
tinue. so he keeps you posted on the
dates when they're due. See how it
works out?"
"Why. the scoundrel. exclaimed
Mr.. Hewington. i've been swinded I.
! shall write to him at once and
mo need to write He's over here
He's coming to call on you this after
noon"
1.-THE impudent rascal! Why. II
shall have him apprehended.'
II hope not" said the Cherub mild
ly. THAT would complicate things
We didn't treat him very well the
last time he was here
THE last time!" echoed Mr.. Hew-
ington.
Eyes. He was the chap we had
shut up in the ieehouse. you know
He was scouting around to see what
style you lived in before he played his
cards."
1.-The unprincipled wretch
''He isn't as honest as he might be,
but then circumstances have been
against him."
II shall refuse to hear a word from
him, sir!' declared Mr.. Hewington.
Now. that's too bad He's coming
to refund the amount he tricked you
out Of. You see. I've taken him on
my private stafr and advanced him
six months pay, so he could start
square. Isn't that better than getting
into legal snarl with him. eh?"
But fail to understand, Mr.. De-
vine. What is your motive in doing
thisY'
1T has something to do with the
countess" he confessed.
1.-THE countess, Pray. Mr.. Devine,
kindly leave my daughter out Of this
discussion"
mot much"' declared the Cherub.
Say. you might just as well get used
to 1t now as later. / think whole
lot Of your daughter. Mr.. Hewington"
Indeed. sir! Your impudence is as
founding. l trust that you are not so
presumptuous as to suppose that your
-er-your regard is in any measure
returnedf"
THAT just describes the case, Mr..
Hewington. At least did have some
such idea until this fool Francois mud
died things up for me. Do you know
what he told the countessY
Il am not interested. sir"
Maybe not, but l want you to listen
just the same, and | want you to lie,
him tell his revised story to the count.