Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-13
THE FORTUNE y
HUNTER,
A Scheme That Brought a Sur.
prise to Alicia.
BY CLINTON oANoERFlELo.

eDo you mind telling me-" / said,
looking In open wonder at Alcia's
calico gown and rural hat. what sou
are wearing that getup fort"
Doesn't 1t seem suitable to a farm
house in the countryY' shsSinquired,
with Obvious satisfaction in her cos
tune.
Il can't see why white lawny stun.
with embroidery and things, the kind
you usually wear, wouldn't be quite
as transformations" i said discomfort
eddy.
Alicia leaned near to me. Really she
ought not 70 put that kissable mouth
Of hers so close to even married
man. Then she whispered dramati-
cally:
"I'm poor I've lost every cent"
"What?" l cried. aghast, Alicia is
not fitted for poverty.
Ssh, Not truly, you know. I'm max.
ing believe l want to meet a few
men aud know they are not fortune
hunters"
Humanity is more decent than you
usually suppose It," said dryly.
'@rhere are 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 1 knew at once
some one was On the tapis-"here one
can be absolutely sure
"whom have you metz" I asked
sternly.
"No one" said Alicia obstinatcly.
But the next moment she blushed ro-
silly 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 wide
hat sat slightly atilt gave picturesque
finish to him. 1 am bound to admit he
looked attractive.
Mr.. Roberts" said Alicia. 81 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 q look at the
lay Of our country?, suggested Rob-
erts, holding out e1tong tanned hand
and nearly smashing mine in 1t.
81 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 ] discontentedly dropped into
Alicia'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, told myself. to permit Alicia to
throw herself away on an uncongeniat
rustic.
For the next two days criticised
Roberts'fierceiy 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 made breaks occasionally.
was reasonably good He openly and
frankly adored Alicia. who proudly
aired her poverty and exulted In her
captivation of man who must indeed
love her for herself alone.
But could not bear the thought or
1t all At last. for saw matters were
approaching a climax. l determined to
appeal TO Roberts generosity.
i got aim of on days fishing. and
as we came homsward prepared my
appeal. I led the conversation mp to
marriage by beginning TO talk OF home.
Yes: his father aud mother. were nv-
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
Il awhile longer.
81 suppose" said braveiy. that
some day you will be thinking OF mar
rage, just as they did once
He shot n peculiar glance at me.
And when you do marry" ] pur-
sued, of course you want everything
fair and aboveboard- You want no
chance for III feeling or mischief max
ers to creep between you aud your
wife because there was any misappre
hcnsion az the beginning"
lie aTred red under his tan.
~Mis3pprehensioB:' How could there
be- What do you mean suywayF
The guilty look on his lace gave me
sudden insight into the. matter.
Alas. pour Alicia. This innocent rus
tic lover belonged to the very class OF
men she most abho-red he knew
yrho she was. and be hse deliberately
Jet Der play her poor little play befOFs
him
400 know who Hiss Alicia Gordon
~
~Yes. / DO he Answered doescdly-
she Is Alicia Van Anderson the heir