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

conspicuous feminine trait.
Why he should rise at tho unearth-
ly hour Of 8. however, he explained
In quite different way. He accused
n few twittering sparrows Of waking
him. Perhaps. too. II was the spar
rows which drove him out TO mako
circuit OF the grounds. Quite Incl
dentally he glanced up Mt tho win
dows he had watched the night be-
fore. The closed shutters revealed
nothing. lie wandered on and found
himself In a flower garden, where
there were arbors and gravel walks
and stone seats. The beds were laid
out regularly. tho bushes evenly
clipped and the walks neatly raked.
II reminded him OF city park. and
he felt somewhat more at home.
Finding a bench under tree. hs
sat down and began to wonder how
long II would be before he might call
for his breakfast without seeming I'M
reasonable. He was still graphing
with this unusual domestic problem,
absorbed In the revelation as 20 how
ignorant no was OF such matters.
when he was aroused by q crunch.
crunch OF footsteps on the gravel.
Some one was walking down one Of
tho intersectlng paths.
BY leaning forward he could catch
sight OF them as they passed. It was
not a particularly dignified attitude.
nor one wholly comfortable for q man
Of Mr.. Devinc's build to assume:
but lean forward he did. his head
tilted n little to one side, an elbow
on one knee--a frankly attentive pos
ture. lie wished TO see who else was
stirring so early in the morning.
Well, no saw. During the brief
instant that he stared he had Il
III
woman, whose hair hung in a thick.
the hollow OF her left arm was
sheaf of freshly cut flowers. In her
right hand n pair OF shears. And
then she saw him.
"Oh!"
Down fell tho roses. Tho shears
clattered on the stones.
This manoeuvre was too much for
tho "Cherub." He lost his balance
and pitched forward on hands and
knees. His straw hat struck on tho
brim and rolled to tho further edge
OF the walk. BY tho time he could
scramble to his feet and recover his
hat the young woman had gathered
up hei flowers and the shears. She
stood quite still. eying him with ap-
prehensive expectation.
II said nothing" replied the
"But you squealed. didn't your
possibly"
scared, were your"
II was startled"
well, / was scared out OF a years
growth. Next time you feel like
squealing you might send mo word,
30 I can brace myself. Live here, do
you"
"why-er--that is--not exactly"
Neither do I. Thank tho Lord, 7
just own the place. But don't mind
me; Go ahead with your posey
picking"
"You-you don't object to-
Great Scott. no! Cut EN- all. n
you like. I'll clear out"
"Oh. no. Please don't. am going
now. Really, ! was about 70 GO"
"All right. Suit yourself"
Only after she was out OF sight did
MIR. Devine realize that here was an
other person whose presence at Hew-
ington Acres was not fully accounted
for.
STRIKES mo l ought to take a CEN
sus." commented tho "Cherub," Any
way. l might have asked II sho came
from the top floor"
IN less IMAM an nOuT DreHkIHst was
an accomplished fact. and Mr. Devinc.
now soothed by one OF his black cigars.
set out for q more extended tour OF
the grounds. He discovered tho path
leading to the Sound. and had spent
some time on tho porch OF the boat
house, watching the steamers and
coasting vessels crawl past, when
Timmins came down, evidently In
search OF him.
Maybe 1 didn't mention last night
SIR" began Timmins suavely. ANY
thing about tho Hewtngtons?"
II guess you didn't. Trmmins." said
the "Cherub" encouragingly. What
about 'em? Didn't leave any messages
for me, did they7'
TITS not just that, sir The fact Ia,
sir they haven't gone"
"Eh! What's that? Haven't gone!
Why, where are they"
Back at tho house. sir"
"Oh' YOU don't say Well, that's
interesting"
IT'S all on account Of the old
lady. sir. Mr.. Hewington's sister, who
was took no bad she couldn't he
moved. Perhaps should haya