The Press., 1904-07-06
The Fortune Hunter
 By Clinton DanGerfield Copyright, 1903, by T. c. Mcclure

Alicia leaned near to me. Really she ought not to put that kisssble mouth of hers so close to even a mar ried man. Then she whispered dra matically:
 I'm poor I've lost every cent"
 "Whatv' I cried, aghast. Alicia is not fitted for poverty.
 'Sh! Not truly, you know. Pm making believe. want to meet few men and know they are not fortune hunters"
 Humanity is more decent than you usually suppose it, l said dryly. :'There are a few ripping good poor fellows in our own set, untainted by self seeking. though that guardian aunt of yours won't let you believe it." "Well, but here," said Alicia, with such satisfaction that I knew at once some one was on the tapis-"here one can be absolutely sure."
 Whom have you metw I asked sternly. es-..
 ''No one," said Alicia obstinately. But the next moment she blushed rOsi- ly as tall, sun Drowned young man came slowly up the wide steps of the piazza. A red handkerchief knOtted around his columnar throat and wide hat set slightly a-tilt gave a pictur- esque finish to him. I am bound to admit he looked attractive.
 MT. Roberts," said Alicia, "I want to have you meet my friend, Mir. Ham lin Johnson. His wife comes out to board here next week"
 "You are down to have look at the lay of our country?' suggested Rob- erts. holding out strong tanned hand and nearly smashing mine in it.
 AS he spoke Alicia vanished. She re- turned immediately with huge pan of green peas and, seating herself on the step, began smelling them as industri- ously as though her future depended on it. Roberts promptly joined her, while I discontentedly dropped into terly unlike her bored and ennuied self. She laughed now in low ripples and then lifted afhe shining eyes of a child to Roberts earnest and altogeth- CT too handsome face. It would never do, told myself, to permit Alicia to throw herself away on an uncongenial rustic.
 For the next two days I criticised Roberts fercely to myself. I could not but admit that he was manly, that he seemed capable of taking on polish and that his grammar, while not of the best Che made breaks occasionally, was reasonably good. He openly and frankly. adored Alicia. who proudly aired her poverty and exulted in her captiyation of a man who must indeed love her for herself alone.
 But could not bear the thought of 1t all. At last. for I saw matters were approaching climax. I determined to appeal to Roberts generosity.
 \ got him off on days fishing. and as we came homeward I prepared my appeal. l led the conversation up to marriage by beginning to talk of home. Yes; his father and mother were liv- ing, he said. Yes; the old folks did miss him. but he got an extra good chance to get job with Farmer Ket- terer, and he guessed they could stand it awhile longer.
 'I suppose" I said bravely. "that some day you will be thinking of mar riage, just as they did once"
 He shot peculiar glance at me.
 And when you do marry" I pur- sued, 'Of course you want everything fair and aboveboard. You want no chance for i'll feeling or mischief mak- CTS to creep between you and your wife because there was any misappre- hensien at the beginning"
 He turned red under his tan.
 "Misapprehension? How could there be? What do you mean anyway
 The guilty look on his face gave me sudden insight into the matter. Alas, poor Alicia! This innocent rustic low CT belonged to the very class of men she most abhorred. He knew who she was, and he had deliberately let her play her poor little play before him.
 You know who Miss Alicia Gordon is?"
 "Yes. do,"' he answered doggedly. ess and society woman"
 And knowing this as you do," said, bursting with natural indigna- tion. you dare to let yourself make love to her. to let her believe you hon. est'-
 x :"I hold myself honest" he returned 5 quietly.
 IA man cannot be considered hon. est,'' said sternly. "who courts a wo- man under false pretenses. You are letting Miss Van Anderson think that you love her for herself alone"
 And you would argue that love her for her money!' he said in tone of bitter sarcasm.
 Ut looks that way" I retorted am grily. 'T mean to let her know the whole truth unless you have good sense and manhood enough to quietly withdraw. You don't want that ugly name fortune hunter applied to you. do you?
 "No.. I don't want that applied to me- said Roberts, punching holes in the moss with his rod, for we had got so near the house that by mutual con. sent we had seated ourselves on log for our discussion. especially as have asked Alicia to marry me, and she said she would give me her answer to- night"
 "she will give it to you nowp' cried clear voice, and Alicia's own hand parted the bushes near us "Oh, know it's cOntemptible to listen, but when your whole happiness depends on it'--
 A little sob choked her sentence. We both sprang up and stood staring