The evening world., 1914-03-17

Looking out through the door hang
ings no could sec the lower half Of
the staircase. For moment no
waited. and then there appeared the
Countess Vccchi. Juggling ut dress
suit case which was evidently well
iilled. She was dressed M IL for tho
street, with light silk dust coat
over her black gown and a jaunty
straw hat on hor head. When she
saw the "Cherub" she seemed
startled and shrank back guilty.
oh" she exclaimed. IL did not
expect to ind you here"
II could guess that much" said the
"Cherub." and added cheerfuily, with
n glance at the suit case which she
olling?'
II am going away"
Are you? DO you generally start
alone and In the middle of tho night ?"
Tho "Cherub" had walked out into
the hall and was looking curiously
at her.
II don't care to talk TO you about
II. Mr.. Devine. I am 4 ling away, I
tell you" There was II hint Of sup
pressed agitation In her tone. Her
brown eyes looked AS II they might
hill with tenrs at any moment.
IAN right. all right" no said sooth-
ingly. you needn't talk about Il IL
you don't want to: only II struck mo
as u little queer"
Tho Countess Vccchi allowed tho
suit case to slide to the floor and then
she faced him resolutely.
MIR. Devine." she said with the air
OF one who makcs n crushing revela-
tion. II have found out all about IT,"
Have you. though! Might I ask
you about what?"
about you
"Me."
Yes. I know why you arc here. I
know tho whole. meaning Of your
presence In this house and why you
stay here"
Good! You know blamed sight
more than I do then"
1T Is useless for you to try to keep
up tho deceit any longer Mr.. Devine.
My father has confessed the whole
wretched story. He told mo at first
that you were merely hero on some
law business but whom I heard that
you were entertaining your friends
here. Just m 20. would in your own
house. I demanded to be told the
truth. And now I know. Oh, ] know
Il all! This 10 your house. You own
II. Somehow or other you have
now our beau-beau- t.ful ho.o-ome 10
yours. Dare you deny ~ Comet
Isn't II so?"
Tho "Cherub" bowed his head In
meek submission.
'Then." exclaimed the Countess,
you arc not only a wicked man, but
you arc deceitful, cr,ie,' 7 despiss
you! You-you are"-
"Oh. say. now! See here. won't
you? I didn't mean II. I take It all
back: honest, ] do. Como, now, let's
talk II over. Oh. stop II. do stop ~"
After several minutes OF this idiocy
there came to him an Inspiration.
Lifting up his voice he called for Ed.
pings. At the second call tho sobbinE
ceased. SpringinE 10 her feet tho
Countess held up a warning hand.
Don't you dare. Mr.. Dovino!
don't want Eppings."
II want him. though: or your
father Perhaps I'd better get your
father"
mo. no! forbid you to call my
father. He 10 asleep. Eppings 10
asleep. They ara all asleep and
and ] am going away"
ITO be sure you're going away: of
course you are. But don't you think
NO not , r,nr,nn, ~. a.s
~, NOT ,n",neh,, no. another mo-
case "s""" '"" s'"'pea '"o suit
well, that's too bad" said the
'CheruD. Il don't SEQ how lou can
90 Just now. though. for Epplngs has
ocked up FOR tho might. ana ] don't
tnow how to undo all those bolts and
,hinss."
you need not trouble: / can un.
ock tho door myself"
She marched past him with as much
dignity ns II was possible to assume
with a heavy weight dragging down
mo arm. At the door she mado de-
crmined attack on the bolts. Stu
,ldly tho "Cherub" watched her ca
'he tugged away vainly.
"You had better wal: until morn
ng. hadn't your" no suggested again.
"Mr. Devine," she said colby. II for
I'D you to try to detain me FOR I'm
Instant. l have no longer a right 20
emain in this house, and ] refuse
q stay. Nor have you any right u
NY that ] shnll stay.
'All right, no sa'h can STOP
on from going, thnts true enough;
mt II you go ] snail q" nlong 100 10
90 that nothing happens TO YOU
II do not wish Tor your company
dr. Devine."