The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-02-09
THE
FORTUNE
HUNTER
y =
Novelized by
LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
From the Play of the
Same Name by
WINcHELL SMITH
!. . y
Copyright. 1910. by winchsll Smith and
Louis Joseph Vance
Copyright. 1910. BY winchsll Smith and
Louis Joseph Vance
Commune eFgm last weeks.

Continued fran last week..
At the conclusion of the meal. which
endured throughout two interminable
hours, the elder men folk Withdrew to
the garden and the lawn. Nat was left
to Josie, who conducted him TO the
side porch, out of sight of everybody.
and planted herself in baggy ham.
mock there. She was guy. even brill
liant within her limitations. arch,
naive. coquettish, shy, petulant, by
turns, animated by a sense Of con
quest. She supplied the major part of
sthe conversation. chatting volubly on
the thousand subjects she didn't un-
lerstand. the dozen she did. In the
most ingenious manner imaginable she
laid herself open to advances. not once,
but a score of times. and when he
failed to respond according to the code
of Radyille had the wit TO musk her
chagrIn. did she feel any. Very prob
ably she laid his lack of responsive
ness at the door OF his shyness "a
quality be was wholly without and
liked hlm,the. better for it.
ltwas omthts day thnt she extracted
from him his promise to join the choir.
fIe acceded through apathy alone.
Il don't care whether YOU can sing
or not" she confessed, with a look.
but do want somebody to walk
home with me that like"
That's nice way of putting it."
Duncan considered without emphasis.
Roland Barnette's always walked
home with me. but think he's just
tlrcsome."
"why?" inquired the young man.
with some interest
She ayerted her head, plucking at
the strands Of the hammock. "Oh, you
know" she said dittidently.
"oh?" Nat was enlightened. "Then
I'm sorry for Roland"
'Why?"
81 can't blame him, you know" He
couldn't help this. The time, the place,
the girl, inspired-indeed, inctted-one
TO bahallty.
why 2" she persisted.
"Oh. Dou know" He caught the in
donation OF her previous words pre-
clsely.
She had the grace to blush and hang
her bend. hut he received thrilling
sIdelong slnnce.
"All .lren't you awful TO talk that
way. Nr. Duncan?"
"YrS he admitted meekly.
"TEn Il, yon will join the choir"
oh. yes" he agreed listlessly.
Tin so glad"
He thanked her. but avoided her eye.
I'VE might IS well begin tonight"
she suggested presently. with diffldent.
downast eyes.
"what-the choir" He was startled.
"oh, couldn't without a rehearsal"
NO. l didn't mean that"
MOP?
81 mean about Roland" She was
paying minute attention to the lace in.
sertlon Of her skirt. ~
"ADout holanQ-
Eyes; mean You know what I
mean, Mr.. DuncanT
81 assure you do not, Miss Lock
wood"
about not walking home with him
any more. don't want to. / wish.
you'd commence tonight instead of
choir practice night. I'd much rather
walk home with you"
after evening service, you mean?"
She nodded. 9TH be great pleas
ure"
"ReallyT She gave him her eyes
now.
Really" he assured her.
"Ah. don't believe you mean that!"
''But indeed l do"
1t was not until nearly 5 o'clock that
he was given a chance to escape. He
had even then to refuse tndexibly IN
invitation to stay to supper.
Minta Lockwood-an expansive wo-
man, generously convex-almost smoth.
cred him with appreciation of his
thanks. She held his hand in a large
moist palm and beamed upon him,
saying, "Now't you know the way,
Mr.. Duncan
YES" Blinky insisted. blinking no.
guishly, drop in any time. Take pot
luck, We're pain people. M Dun
can,sbut allus glad TO see our friends.
Drop in any time
Josie accompanied him to the front
gate. where etiquette required him to
linger for a parting chat.
"Goodby.' The girl gave him her
hand, I'm real glad you came-at
last"
"rhe pleasure has been all mine.r
insisted the gallant bromide, fishing
the trite phrase desperately from the
gray vucuity of his thoughts.
"You won't forEet?"
Forget what"
About tonight"
do you Imagine could?"
Josie returned to the fnnlITy con-