The Washington herald., 1921-08-17
THE
FORTUNE
HUNTER
ANew, Gripping
Romance Serial
BY RUBY AYRES
(coutinusd from Yesterday

freak of fortune awaited him.
How long could 1t last, even
without discovery? How long could
he lie to this girl, and take her
kisses without being driven by
sheer shame to betray. himself?
He had no money. and the luggage
which he had tolNMr. Harding he
had left behind in London was
rnyth-he had no luggage. His only
suit was drying in a hot cupboars
in the bathroom, and 2s shilhnss
represented the sum total OF his
capital.
The Fortune Hunter got up and
looked out of the window to the
ground below: it was quite an easy
G-op-it would be the easiest thing
in the world to take 1t and get
away before anyone saw him de
leaned his elbows on the sill ana
looked down, and IL was at that mo-
ment that someone tapped at the
door behind him. and opened It.
Can 1 come in?
The Fortune Hunter turned sharp
". Tommy stood behind him, ms
peaked, fretful face, half eager half
embarrassed
and the Fortune Hunter said with
an EFFORT: "Oh, yes, come in-fVe
been trying to make myself look
more presentable-it's not very easy
with my limited wardrobe.
Tommy closed the door and
umped forward: he was very lame
one foot dragged painfully, and his
whole body looked frail and unln-
formed.
ave can fetch your things to-
morrow" he said. He leaned
against the bed and looked at the
Fortune Hunter with glowing in
teresting eyes
I've got a car-Uncle Glenn gave
il to me because I can't get about
like other fellows. Tomorrow, II
you like, I'll drive you up to Lon
don and fetch your things.
He hesitated, adding half shyly,
half roughly 81 wasn't going 70
thank you in front of Anne and all
OF them, but l didn't want
10 drown"
There was something Infinitely
pathetic about hiB. and the Fortune
Hunter was painfully conscious
Of IL. 49,
IF you're John Smith," Tommy
went on. without giving him time
to reply, I'm glad you've come !
always wanted to meet John smith
I always knew 1 should like him.
he's a sportsman.
The Fortune Hunter colored; the
boys way of abiding to him as II
he were a third person was rather
disconcertinE.
I'll tell you some fine tales, some
day" he said. rather hurriedly.
He was wishing with all his
heart that he could question this
boy and find out something OF all
the many things he would nave
to know il he stayed in the mouse
IF I'd been big and strong like
Won" Tommy went on, I'D have
gone all over the world. 'too. and
killed bears and things.
Il am sure you would" The boys
face flushed
we shan't he friends If you're
going to talk to me in that tone
Of voice. he said, almost angrtly
Everyone talks Ito me like that
Anne keeps Il special voice for me-
and hate il,
shes never angry with me, like
she is with other people; she never
answers me back and he
drew hard breath. Sometimes
I'd give anything in the world IL
only people would let me have
GOOD old row with them"
The Fortune Hunter laughed.
Well, YOU shall have a good old
row with me some day." he prom
ised. cheerfully. But in the mean
time We might be friends-eh?"
Tommy held out his hand.
I'm glad you We come" he said
But" he went on frankly. Il
shouldn't have thought you were
a hit the kind of chap to write those
letters to Anne. She didn't show
them to me-" he went on quickly.
But now and then, when she felt
very unhappy-like girls do, you
know-she used to read me little
bits here and there" He grinned
alphabetically. You don't look the
sort of man to write sentiment Of
that sort" he added. The Fortune
Hunter colored.
Don't II" he said helplessly.
when a chaps abroad he's often
driven to doing all sorts of queer
things he wouldn't do IL he was
at home in sane, normal old Eng
land"
Tommy nodded
"Humph. dare say; and, of
course, she was a brick to you,
wasn't she?'
she had lots of other chaps after
her. you know" Tommy went on.
with a kind of pride. zone of them
had a title, and Uncle Glenn was
very angry with her because she
wouldn't have him"
Yes" said the Fortune Hunter.
vaguely.
"PIenty of girls would have
jumped at the chance" Tommy
averred.
There was a little silence.
Il suppose you'n be getting mar
ried soon now you've really Conner
Tommy asked interestedly.
The Fortune Hunter looked hor-
ribly embarrassed.
Good Lord. mol At least-I mean
l haven't thought about it-there's
been no time. I've hardly seen
your sister yet"
The boy looked slightly of
Tended
The dinner gong ringing through
the house mercifully put an end to
the conversation. and Tommy limp
ingly led the way downstairs.
ITO Be Continued Tomorov.)