The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-03-16

otn0f Oy MT. hoWIuktOu, UT tuo
Countess. or tho young woman Of tho
roses. or some wholly unknown per-
son. But he had the grounds. tho
verandas and tho great rooms all TO
himself.
ITS like playing hide and seek and
being IT all the time" was his COM
ment. "And I've seen livelier games"
He had seated himself for another
solitary and stately meal whom .
bell rang somewhere. and Epplngs
excused himse.. to answer It. Then
ensued out In the reception hall =
whispered conversation. part of which
Mr.. Dovine could hardly avoid hear
ing. although he was certain It was
not intended for his ears.
rs that-that dreadful man In
there?" asked a voice.
wonder II that's me?" thought
the "Cherub." lie could not catch
the buffers reply.
"Then I must go In" continued the
voice. But listen. Eppings; stay
within call. Now you may tell him
! am coming"
Eppings reappeared to announce
impressively: THE Countess vecchi.
SIR"
Mr.. Devine grabbed his napkin end
from between the second and third
buttons Of his waistcoat and dropped
1t across his left knee. Also he re-
adjusted his necktie ana sat up very
straight In his chair. He had vague
notion that all cOuntesses were large.
stout women, who wore crowns OF
some sort. ermine- trimmed robes, and
a multitude Of rings. He had seen
ono once; an old. wrinkled parsonage.
with a disposition like setting hen
and voice like = cross-cut saw.
"The Countess, oh? Well. what
about her? Has she come after the
SOUP"
shed like 10 speak TO you. cir.
She's'---
Further explanation proved unnec-
essary. for through the doorway
stepped tho big eyed. slender young
person whom no had seen before break
fast In tho garden. She wore neither
crown nor ermine robes. The braid
OF dark hair had been transformed
into simple but effective setting for
the long oval Of her face.
Simple was her gown. too. Of some
black. flimsy material. which hung In
Atohs tho o4uo'S-
cut neck. opening out OF which rose
her white, rounded throat. But the
"Cherub" would have known those
big ayes under any disguise,
Hello! Your he exclaimed. Say,
honest. you aren't the Countess. are
you?"
She bowed an admission Of the fact.
evidently much disconnected by this
greeting.
well, III be hanged" continued
MIR. Devine. gazing ut hor In frank
amazement. why. thought Well,
ia never take you for countess
Say. have seat, won't your
But tho Countess Vecchi had OBJ
viously come on a specific errand Ig-
norlng his surprise and his invita-
ton, she walked resolutcly to the OPP
posito end OF the table from Mr.. De-
vine and, nervously clasping and un-
claspng her fingers ar she spoke. be-
gan Just az she had intended 10 begin.
II hope Timmins has explained
to you. MIR, Devine, our embarrassing
situation here?"
Mr.. Devine nodded
my father wishes me TO say that
the serious condition OF my aunt
makes II impossible for us to leave
tho house at present. Just as soon
IN WI Will 10
"oh. that's all right; stay as long
as you like"
But wa don't want 10 stay AT all,
My father wishes you to understand
that. lit In very painful for him
to accept favor. even liberation.
from you, He charged me not 10
apologize. however. as tho circum-
stances are beyond our control.
am not apologixing, you see. only OK
planning" There was much earnest
ness In her words, and a pleading,
half-frightened expression In her big
brown eyes.
"Oh. you're doing nne." said Mr..
Devine. assurlngly. Anything else
the old gentleman wants me TO under
stand?"
mo. think that IL all. except
that during your stay" continued tho
Countess, "we shall keep TO our
rooms"
"Oh. you needn't do that. protested
Mr.. Devine.
But II Ia my fathers desire"
added tho Countess. "And we shall
take all our meals there
"Oh. come. that isn't necessary. You
tell your father 10 mako himself at
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