The Washington herald., 1921-08-31
THE
FORTUNE
HUNTER
ANew,G Gripping
Romance Serial
By RUBY AYRES
CCoatinued From Yesterday, =,

forgotten what we arranged-long
before you came home" she an
swered, then she turned pointed,
from him and spoke to Geoffry
Foster.
The Fortune Hunter clenched his
hands; he hated the man. He hated
the way in which he looked at Anne
the way he addressed her by her
Christian name. Confound the fell
lows impertinence. Then he almost
laughed at himself: what right had
be to. be angry, he who was q vaga-
bond .impostor?
After dinner he deliberately
stayed at the table with Mr.. Hard
ing. and did not even glance Anne's
way when he saw Foster follow her
from the room; but his heart was
racing with passionate Jealousy and
indignation so that he could hard
II steady his voice to reply to Mr..
Harding's remarks.
1T was only a joke. John. all thai
nonsense about your wedding" he
said cheerily. you must please
yourself. of course. and then you
will please me. Anne shall have
everything just as she wishes"
you are very good, SIR"
Not at all, / love Anne; she has
been everything to me since she
. came TO live here. and I've always
tried to do my best for her" He
paused and knocked the ashes from
his els gar. Tt would break my heart
her life" he added deliberately.
She's not like an ordinary wom-
an. but you know that. John. 1
une woman in a thousand who would
have stood by you as she did. bless
her. and not because there were no
other men wanting her. mind you.
Why Foster there-humph! But Of
course you know"
Yes"
And she's not very young. either.
Mr.. Harding went on after mo-
ment Eight and 20, though she
doesn't look it. does she?"
Eight and 2O?' the Fortune
Hunter echoed. Why. He stopped
abruptly. Yes of course" he added
She was IS when you went away,
Mr. Harding said. his eyes fxed on
the young mans face.
ayes, she was 49," the Fortune
Hunter echoed DULY.
SO you're neither of you children
the old man went on. though she
still seems a child to me. You're
how old, John?"
Il shall be 80 in December"
There was a little silence, and
queer gleam shot into Mr.. Harding's
81, m
Of his cigar and rose.
We'll. shall we join the others;
they're in the drawing-room. / ex-
pect?"
They crossed the hall together.
but though the lights were on in
the drawing room the room was
empty.
The long French window which
led into the garden stood wide
open. and the soft muslin curtains
were floating in and out on the
evening breeze.
In the garden, I expect" Mr..
Harding said. I've got some let
ters to write. so you'll excuse me.
I'm sure you'll find Anne in the
garden"
"Yes-thanks"
But the Fortune Hunter made no
effort to find her; he wandered rest
IessIy round the room. staring aim
lessIy at the pictures and orna-
ments.
He hated Foster as he had never
hated anyone in his life before: he
was Jealous of his wealth and pos
sessions: he would have given his
soul at that moment had 1t been
uossibla for him to 90 to Anne and
say honestly. as he ionged to say
whenever they were together: 81
love you with all my heart and
soul. Marry me and come away
with me-"
But he had nothing to off"r her.
not even a name. A bitt"r sigh
shook Rim. He haC scwH his VIII
oats. and now he was reaping their
harvest; he had looked upon life
as a comedy through which one
might laugh and jest. and suddenly
1t had turned into tragedy.
CTo Be Continued Tomorrow