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

up before him wholly unexploret
field. In all his career he had never
before been confronted with such &
query.
Here was something new. Did HI
consider himself gentleman?
''Now that you mention it, he said
II don't remember that l have ever
been accused Of being a perfect gen
tleman. But what is gentleman.
What's your idea of one?"
"Why-why"- The Countess vecch
hesitated. why, gentleman is 9
man Of honor, one who has regard fol
the rights and feelings and sensibilities
of Others"
"What about his bank account
Doesn't that cut any ice?"
NO." said the countess slowly, q
hint Of regret in her tone. "a gentle
man may be poor. For instance, my
father is no longer wealthy. he does
not attend church. he shuns social life
but he is honorable, he is thoughtful
of others. so he is gentleman"
"And I'm not, eh?"
ooh, no, no! did not mean to say
that. I couldn't say it. II 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 beaten? Did you ever
see woman defeated by mere logic?
That's unfair" she replied reproach.
fully. "You know haven't said any
thing Of the kind. All did say was
that ought to go back, and must"
Then l :uppose I'll just have to
keep right on going to the dogs" OBJ
served the Cherub dolefully. II didn't
know was quite such hopeless case,
though"
"Oh, it isn't that; 1t isn't that" pro.
tested the countess.
"Must be-" declared the Cher,lb. III
it wasn't you wouldn't run away like
this. Why, I'm so bad that you won't
talk to me. don't suppose that you'd
even shake hands with any one so
wicked
1t may have been merely impulse.
perhaps it was the pathetic spectacle
Of the Cherub's injured feelings-tears
showed suddenly in the brown eyes of
the countess.
ooh. you mustn't feel that way-you
mustn't" she pleaded. "Of course
will. THERE" 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 a
tall. gray haired man of stern face
and dignified bearing appeared behind
them. He seemed very. much aston
ished at the scene.
"Adele. who isrthis ~ he demanded.
"This. father. is Mr.. Devine." 1t
was finely done-no hesitancy. no
trembling Of voice. no wavering Of the
eyes.
mot the-the"-
Eyes. the Cherub. Isn't it. Mr.. De-
vine?''
Mr.. Devine nodded a good natured
assent.
But. Adele. this is entirely unex-
pected. had no idea that you were
acquainted with this-er-Mr. Devine."
81 have only been telling him that
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. Devine's cigar. how
ever. was not an eighth Of an inch
longer before he was surprised to- see
Mr.. Hewington reappear before him.
The Hewingtons, it seemed. were adj
dicted to postscripts.
"Wonder If he's come back with a
STICK" reflected the Cherub.
But Mr.. Hewingtons 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?'
II get a glimmer now and them"
.complacently .rejoined the Cherub.
"You mean that you're not mixers"
Mr.. Hewington smiled coldly ut 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 a son Of the
Marquis de Lafayette
Never met the gentleman" COM
mented the Cherub.
probably not. He came to America
in 1915"
80? Then he got here before did"
Mr.. Hewington ignored this remark.
"This estate. Mr.. Devinc. was part Of