The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-08-20
tcontinued from Yesterday

Now then, FernIe." he said, good
naturally. what bee have you got
in your bonnet? The young fellows
done you no harm. has he?"
Not me, p'raps," the other ad-
nitted. reluctantly. but when he
comes home playing the hero in the
story, as you might say, It makes
you a BIT sick when you know the
truth"
The truth-well, what IN the
truth. II you know it," the landlord
asked. indulgently.
Fernie pulled his hat back from
over his foxy eyes.
The truth is" he said, with slow
impressiveness, that II it's true
that Miss Anne's Mr.. Smith is in
Somerton tonight, he's walked
straight out of prison-straight out
If seven years penal"
There was a short silence. then
the landlord reused himself from
his leaning position and began Wig
orousIy polishing a tumbler.
UNI" he said. dryly. you'll get
yourself into trouble, my lad, IL you
talk without your book like that"
The man Fernie rose to his feet,
pushing his chair back with an
ugly. grating sound.
rive no more to say" he said.
calmly enough. though his eyes
were ugly. But you mark my
oh
day I'll get the laugh on you" He
went out unchallenged and slammed
the door behind him.
The Fortune Hunter waited
moment, then he laid down his pa
per, rose and slipped out Of the bar
unobserved.
He had hoped to hear something
that might be useful to his present
position, but he had not expected
to hear so much.
So he was a jailbird. was he? The
thought was unpleasant
OF all the minor crimes and In
discretions of which he had been
guilty in the past, he had always
managed to escape the disgrace OF
prison, and when he had stepped
SO willingly into another mans
shoes ne mad never guessed where
he would find AZ pinch.
\ jailbird. - this thing was
true, and instinct told him that IL
was, one never knew what or how
far reaching the consequences
might lie.
The heart Of the Fortune Hunter
warmed as he walked slowly back
TO Cherry Lodge. She was girl
IN a thousand, while newell, at
least he was not the villain he was
supposed to be; there was no dark
stain on the record of his life as
there had been on that Of the poor
devil who had met his lonely death
in the silence of the wood.
What was the crime for which
he had so blindly taken the re-
sponsibility? The Fortune Hunter
feIt that he would have given i've
years Of his life to know, as he
crossed the garden and entered the
door Of Cherry Lodge
Mr.. Harding. crossing the hall,
stopped to wait for him. so here
you are. Annie told me you had
gone for a stroll"
Yes: I'm used to being outdoors
most of my time. I'm sorry.
hope 1 haven't kept you waiting"
Not at all: you're not too tired
for a. little chat? Good! Come to
nv study. then"
He led the way to the room and
shut the door. A lamp burned on
a center table. and the Fortune
Hunter took a chair well outside the
circle of its light.
I've told you once, so there's no
need to repeat It," Mr.. Harding
said. that I'm glad to see you, and
that I'm more than willing to well
Won Anna'a
The past-well, we're agreed to
wine il out. You made atonement,
and Pm going to forget II. But 1
love that girl as IL she was my own
daughter. and II ever see her I'M
happy-through you" His
voice rose fiercely.
Then he laughed and went on
more quietly: "She loves you, John.
and because she loves you I'm will
ing to believe you're worthy OF her.
\ woman's instinct is wonderful,
and there are not many girls who
would have stuck to man as she
has to you through all these years
terrible years they must have
beenffor her"
The Fortune Hunter made no an
swer; he sat motionless, his eyes on
Mr.. Harding's earnest face, listen
Ing intently.
There was a moment Of silence,
then the elder man asked sharply:
Well. what have you got to say?
The Fortune Hunter reused him
self with an effort only that 1
give my word I will do my best"
he said.
Mr.. Harding said "Humph~ and
added, half in fun, half seriously:
And your best and my best will
only be half good enough for her.
She's an idealist. you know. OF
course. you know that all along she
has believed in your innocence"
The Fortune Hunter nodded; he
could not find his voice at that mo-
rnent. and the old man went on:
You know, too, that she has
money-that she is wealthy"
The Fortune Hunter opened his
lips to say, Il don't want her mon
ey." but he knew It was a lie, and
somehow the words stuck.
But tonight his thoughts were In
a whirl. He did not understand
himself. could not analyze his emo
tions; he only knew that for the
first time in his life he was
ashamed that he had not played
the game better.
Mr.. Harding tilted the shade of
the lamp suddenly. letting its pierre
ing light fall full on the Fortune
Hunters face.
A haggard face II looked
weary young face-during the brief
second before he got control Of him
self and smiled.
Ito BE Continued Temorrov.)