The Somerset reporter., 1904-04-07
The Fortune
Hun ter
BY Cliaton DAnGerfieId
Copyright, 1903, by T. c. Mcclure
Copyright, 1903, by T. C. Mcclure

DO you mind telling me-" l said,
looking In open wonder at Alica's
calico gown and rural hat, what you
are wearing that getup forl"
Doesn't it seem suitable to farm
house in the countryr she inquired.
with obvious satisfaction In her cos
tune
Il can't see why white lawny stuff
with embroidery and things, the kind
you usually wear, wouldn't be quite
as unostentatious," | said discomfort
edly.
Alicia leaned near to me. Really
she ought not to put that kissable
mouth of hers so close to even a mar
ried man Then she whispered dra-
matically:
I'm poor. I've lost every cent"
What | cried, aghast. Alicia is
not fitted for poverty.
Ssh! Not truly. you know. I'm
making believe. I want to meet a 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."
We'll, but here" said Alicia, with
such satisfaction that | knew at once
some one was on the tapis-"here one
can be absolutely sure"
Whom have you metT l asked
sternly.
mo one," said Alicia obstinately.
But the next moment she blushed rosi-
ly as a tall, sun Drowned young man
came slowly up the wide steps of the
piazza A red handkerchief knotted
around his columnar throat and a wide
hat set slightly a-tilt gave a pictur
esque finish to him. | am bound to
admit he looked attractive.
Mr. Roberts," said Alicia, II want
to have you meet my friend, Mr.. 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 1t.
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 1t. Roberts promptly Joined her,
While l discontentedly dropped into
Alcia's hammock. Alicia was too ut
terly unlike her bored and ennuied
self. She laughed now In low ripples
and then lifted the shining eyes of a
child to Roberts earnest and altogeth
er too handsome face. 1t would never
do, l told myself to permit Alicia to
throw herself away on an uncongenial
rustic.
For the next two days criticised
Roberts tiercely to myself | 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 Sade breaks occasionally,
WAS reasonably good. He openly and
frankly adored Alicia. who proudly
aired her poverty and exulted IN her
captl"ation of n man who must indeed
love npr Tor nefSel1 alone.
But could not bear the thought OF
it all. At last, for | saw matters were
approaching a climax. determined to
appeal to Roberts generosity.
| got him off on days fishing. and
as we came homeward | prepared my
appeal. 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.
Il suppose" [ said bravely. that
some day yon will be thinking of mar
rage, just as they did once"
He shot II peculiar glance at me.
And when you do marry" | pur
sued, "of course You want everything
fair and aboyeboard. You want no
chance for i'll feeling or mischief max
ers to creep between You and your
wife because there was any mlsappre
hension at the beginning"
lie turned red under his tan
lSdpIlfeIeHSlOu HOW COulu iueIt
be? What do you mean anyway
The guilty look on his face gave me
a sudden insight into the matter Alas.
poor Alicia. This innocent rustic low
er belonged to the very class of mer
she most abhorred. He knew who she
WIS. 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.
"She is Alicia Van Anderson, the heir
ess and society woman"
And knowing this as you do" |
said, bursting with natural indigna-
ton. you dare to let yourself make
love to her, to let her believe you hon
est
II hold myself honest" he returned
quietly.
"a man cannot be considered hon
est" said sternly who courts wo
man under false pretenscs. You are
letting Miss Van Anderson think that
you love her for herself alone"
And you would argue that l love
her for her money" he said in tone
of bitter sarcasm.
ut looks that way" | retorted an
grily. II mean to let her know the
whole truth unless you have good
eansa and manhood apoupb IN uuiptlv