The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-08-05

1naction? Had he been all the time
waiting in the hope that some day she
would relent. and might she not do so,
now that in some measure her fortupe
had been restored? Ought not sheto
have the chance? Was not the oppor-
tunity for a free choice due to her?
Shouldn't Nick have another show too?
Floundering through some such
maze Of reasoning. the Cherub at last
came to this brilliant conclusion, with
only faint suspicion that he was
about to make an astonishing chump
Of himself. He even experienced q
glow of satisfaction as he hastily map
ped out his new program. You would
almost have thought by the cheerful
manner in which he laid it before
young Mr.. Walloway that he thought
he was attaining a long desired end.
"Well. Nick" he began. this time CIV
Ing young Mr.. Walloway due warning
Of his approach. we're almost there.
Now, the first thing on the docket is
for you to fix up this business about
the house with the countess"
"I?" exclaimed Nicholas.
"Why. sure! You know her better
than I do. You go up and have a talk
with her: tell her how you sold the
stocks and what she can buy back the
property for"
"But-but-why don't you
me! Oh. I've got to skip back to
town on this train. Just wanted to
get you started straight You can do
it SO much better than can. being one
Of her own kind. and all that. Aren't
afraid Of the countess. are you?''
"Why, no. But see here. Cherub"-
"Now, that's all right, Nick. You
can do this fine. But, say, you call me
up on the phone at my hotel tonight
and let me know how you come out,
eh? Don't forget that. about O'clock.
just give me line on how she takes
It and SO on. You'll have some re-
port or other to make, I'll bet. Needn't
make too much of my share in the
business. Just talk like I'd handed it
over to you, as have. You're equal
to that job. aren't your =:
Now, just what sort Of mental proc
ess went on in the brain Of Nicholas
Wa1lowav It would be vain to try to-
trace. He was complex product
whose character had been molded not
only by circumstances of birth and
breeding, but by the strong stamp Of
heredity.
He was young man chiefly distin-
guished by reserved stiffness Of
manner, a quality which often inspires
a confidence that obvious genius fails
to command. If, in hesitating to ac-
cept the advantage offered him by the
1mpulsive Mr.. Devine, he was trou-
bled by problems of an ethical nature.
he allowed them to be easily swept
away. For many months he had want
ed to see the Countess Vecchi. Earnest
~ he had wished for chance to talk
to her alone. and now this very oppor-
tunity was thrust upon him.
"Well. Cherub. if you think you had
better leave this to me. why, p
Good! And don't forget about call
ing me up tonight to let me know
what luck you have"
No hint of this altered program, of
course. had reached Hewington Acres.
SO it happened that when Timmins
finally did bring up the lathered cobs
with fine flourish the whole house
hold was assembled to witness the
Cherub's much heraIded return.
The Countess Vecchi had ut the last
moment abandoned her angelic pose
and yielded to curiosity Mr.. Hewing-
ton was even more eager to learn what
! 1t was all about. Mr.. Devine never
knew just what be missed by backing
out.
In his stead there stepped from the
carriage MIR. Nicholas Walloway. out
wardly cool and self possessed. but Sc
cretly very much at loss to know just
how he should proceed. For moment
he regarded the expectant group with
| some astontshment. Then Mr.. Hew-
ington voiced the common thought in
one question: - 49,: =.
"Why. Nicholas. where, is Mr.. De.
vine?" ~~ g, ~-s -: q
''Mr. Devine is on his way back to
town." :.'.:s,,.;."~s
but he sent word"-' began the
countess. only to be stopped BY MIR:
Walloway's hasty explanation. -. -.
He has asked me to transact some
business With you. countess. Might
1-er'- And he glanced significantly
at the door. :. 80. ....- ..,5..%.. H..
The Countess vecchi promptly led
him into the library. ..: >::>- a.
"Well, Nicholas"' she asked. IL
Mr.. Walloway had seated himself at
the library table and was sorting some
documents. It had been years since
she had called him Nicholas Well,
this was an suspicious beginning. H6
smiled indulgently. Strengthened his
shoulders and placed his finger tips
together in judicial manner. It was
rather an effective pose. Indicating the
patiently receptive mood ef superior
mind. ST .s t..S {. 5.;5s#
my dear Adele Z. s. 81. B. .=5
"Mr. wallowayr'' The Countess Voc
-. y,rah1,AA IL. go Se8.ls1,A