The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-08-26


. had recovered his composure and de-
veloped an appetite for sirloin steak;
also he had accepted Mr.. Devine's Of
fer to become his guest for the night.
And early next morning there ar
rived at Hewtngton Acres once more
a cheerfully audacious Cherub Deyine,
who seemed quite unaffected by the
forbidding austerity with which Up
pings chose to regard him as he In
quired for the countess. :.
After some moments, during which
he paced up and down the reception
hall, Mr.. Devine was shown into the
library with as much formality as IL
this was his first visit. Nor was the
attitude Of Mr.. Hewington as he re-
ceived the Cherub at all reassuring.
1--WE been looking up that count Of
yours" remarked the Cherub. Hes
been defunct for nearly two years. I
had a man investigate the records, and
it's all o. K"
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 1T was worth. How were the let
ters signed which came from the count
after he was sent to that sanitarium r
by his secretary, believe. Per
f.. G. That was it" SCI.
"Sure! And the +. g. stood for
Francois Cunetto. rye had a 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 10 not 4 bad COM
bination. There was good blood on
both sides, but no money on either,
80 that's why he didn't finish tho med
zeal 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 san1tarium where they.
were trying to cure Count Vecchi Of
seeing pink wh1skered tadpoles and
other variegated fauna II A.. !.
Really, now, NJ. Devine!' protested
Mr.. Hewington. =4.. :
"why shy 50 at The facts3" asked
the Cherub. Count or no count, that
was his complaint. Why, his nerves
were in such shape he conldn'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. It 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 outT' s J. ..$ =. +.
"Why, the scoundrelr' exclaimed.
Mr.. Hewington. I've been sw1ndled!
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" ..,gs "r:@& ~
'The impudent rascal! why, IL
shall have him apprehendei!' ~
Il hope not" said the Cherub mild
~. "That would complicate things.
We didn't treat him very well the
last time he was here" ':
1.-THE last time! echoed Mr.. Hew-
ington. -: ssz @.&,.
yes he was the chap we had
shut up in the. icehouse, you know
He was scouting around to see what
style you lived in before he played his
cards" ~ w. ~ =. +,
"The unprincipled wretchy' 4.~..
!. He isn't as honest as he might be,
but then circumstances have been
against him. ST a s.,z.
! Il shall refuse to hear word from
him, STRIP declared Mr.. Hewington.
"Now. that's too bad. He's coming
to refund the amount he trtcked you
out Of. You see, rye taken him on
my private star and advanced him
six months pay, 80 he could start
square. Isn't that better than getting
into. legal snarl with him, eh r {.
"But 4 fail to understand Mr.. De-
vine. What 10 your motive In doing
this?" ss. ,'
1T has something to do with the
countess" he confessed. H
The countess! Pray, Mr.. Devine,
kindly leave my daughter out Of this
discussion :.ss.
"Not muchr' declared the Cherub.
Say, you might just as well get used
70 it now as later. / think whole
lot Of your daughter, MI. Hewtngton. Z.
Indeed, sir! Your impudence Is as
founding. u trust that you are not 10
presumptuous as to suppose that your
-eryour regard Is 81 any measure
returned r. Il
q That just describes the case, MI.
Halewington. At least did haxe some
such idea until this fool Francois mud
died things up for me-. DO you know.