The Washington herald., 1921-09-16
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fContinued From Yesterday

The Fortune Hunter laughed.
TITS nothing-Fve got a beastly
headache wonder II you'd take
this letter to the post for me?"
Certainly. strand can't get
you anything. ~sir:"
He shook his head.
Good lord, no! THANKS all the
same, and just post that let
ter yourself, will you?"
Yes, sir"
TIE girl went straight out and
across the garden Like the other
maids in the house. she admired
the Fortune Hunter immensely, and
though they knew but little Of his
story. they all imagined a good
deal, and found it very romantic.
She had turned out into the road
towards the letter-box when
Tommy overlook her.
I'll take it," And. before she could
protest. he had snatched the letter
from her.
Mr.. Smith asked me to be sure
and post 1t myself" she protested
angrily: she did not like Tommy.
and the boy knew II, which was
partIy why he had taken the letter:
he loved annoying people.
Mr.. Smith can trust me quite as
we'll as he can trust you, was the
retort. TIL tell him II you like"
The girl turned Indignantly away,
and Tommy glanced down at the
envelope in his hand.
Miss Irenie Claver-Savoy Hotel,
London"
For a moment his thin face grew
blank with amazement, then the
old cunning look crept into his
eyes as he thrust the letter into
- his pocket and turned back to the
house.
He saw his sister at the end OF
the garden standing looking out
across the river. and with no
thought of the pain he was about
to infiict upon. her. only his own
triumphant knowledge that he had
discovered something to the dis
credit of the Fortune Hunter. he
Iimped after her
Anne heard his step on the soft
Grass and turned eagerly, thinking
n might be the Fortune Hunter; In
her heart she was longing to see
him alone and drive away the
vague shadow that had fallen be-
tween them last night: this morn
ing she was almost convinced that
II had never really existed save IN
her own Imagination. and she was
only too willing and eager to make
amends.
she looked bitterly disappointed
when Tommy came eagerly up to
her. IT thought" she began. then
broke of. where is John?" she
asked.
Tommy hunched his narrow
shoulders.
Goodness knows! But look here
what I've got" He pulled the
letter from his pocket and held 1t
to her. John gave this to Ethel
to post, and she gave It to me" 1t
was Characteristic Of Tommy that
he never told quite all the truth
about anything. He didn't mean
me to see II, or you either, III
beH" He peered down at the ad-
dress on the letter as Anne tried to
take IL from him; he read II aloud
trIumphantly: Miss Irenie Claw
er. Savoy Hotel. London Who Is
she, Sis? Do you know herr He
glanced up at Anne's white race
and was suddenly silent. "Oh,
say, Is this what all the rots
about?' he broke out again pres
entity. "Of course, 1 knew some
thing was wrong. but I never
thought he was such a mean, low
asrJov dare you7" she painted:
sTIow dare you? Whatever John
6oes Is right. How dare you take
his letter and bring 1t to me? You
ought to be ashamed"
Tommy looked aghast.
.swhy I thought- he began
helplessly: then: What are you
going TO do with the letter." he
asked blankly-
Anne turned away without an
swering. In spite OF her loyal oe-
tanse Of the Fortune Hunter. she
u,a. sick with, dread and Jealousy:
bnt she went across the garden and
out into the road. never stopping or
Iookinr back till the letter was
safely posted.
Then all at once her courage
s.eued to give way; she trembled
so that she could hardly walk, and
the sunny road swan before her
eyes
knov who Irenie was, and now ne
bad written to her-she had seen
the letter with her own eyes.
why had she posted 1t? She
Wished she had kept 1T back, and
yet what would have been the use?
Nothing but his own will and de-
sire could make the man she loved
true TO her. All the tears and up
brsidings in the world could not
restore her beautiful faith in him.
Ue should not know that she
cared. She would not let him know
that the letter had ever fallen into
her hands She stayed away from
the house until she felt she could
trust herself to go back as IL moth
ing had happened. but IL seemed as
N the shadow of foreboding deep
eued when she reached the gate and
found her uncle standing there
talking TO Fernie.
They were in deep conversation,
and did not see her until she was
close beside them. and she won
dered IL IL was her imagination
that they both looked disturbed
when she spoke.
Good morning. Mr.. Fernie."
Fernie turned and clumsily pulled
on his hat.
Good morning. Miss Harding"
She thought that he seemed to
avoid her eyes. and then wondered
again IL that. too. were just imagina-
tion. She was upset and unstrung.