Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-28
AND HERE 1T CONTINUES

have little chat, he said In friendly
fashion.
The Fortune Hunter followed Anne
into the hall: he would have given a
aroot deal 10 avoid this tcIe.a tetc,
hut II was so obviously expected OF
/ MIN that he dared raise no objection.
But she seemed irstinctivcly to feel
Me unwlilngncss, for she turned ana
leaked I'D at him with little hurt look
In her eyes.
Perhaps you would rather not go
outl" ,.r.
lie answered hurriedly: &.
mo, no. Il should like 1t the house
is go warm
The garden was palcly moonllt, but
az Mr.. Harding had said. the river
I;nia was already rising. and everything
Hooked as II it were vei'cd in. sossamcr
The Fortune Hunter glanced down
lat the girl beside him. 'YoU ought 10
1have wrap. You'll take cold.' he
Itsid.
She answered mechanically.
"My cloak Is In the hull, II you will
fetch IT,"
he went back without word, took
Ibe cloak from Il chnir and brought II
Ito her. She et him fold her in 1t 81.
I)cntly, and they walled on down the
Iiloping lawn, till they stood by the
IWatcr's edge.
There were twinkling lights from
Ilouseboat on the opposite bank. and
hbc mutled sound OF yramophonc,
otherwise the night was perfectly VII !.
Eave for the lap, lap Of the water
Lgainst the bank.
| The Fortune Hunter looked mp at the
Sulsty moon. and his thought slipped
back along the chain Of years that wore
Eone, with half wistful, half cynical
kmusomcnt.
Who would have thought that fate
Eould ever land him here? In m IDEA!
Cnglish home, amid every comfort nnI
Duxury-he, a vagrnnt fortune hunter,
kho had run the gamut vt life. AMI
Ewho bore It's scars on his very soul. He
Wondered what the girl at mis- side was
thinking what she would say il b.
could take her with him in his thoughts,
Etep BY step. and show her tho dirk
h,laces OF bis life through which he had
Istrugelcd. lie felt her shivcr aud turned
quickly.
You nre coid---''
"Yes. should like to 20 in." Her
Eoice was strained and hurt. and the
ortune Hunter frowncd heavily in the
Isrkness, and Bit his lp. lie put out
bis arm and would have drawn her into
PTS cir,ie but that she resisted.
Il don't understand you: you are ST.
orange! ] thought all your let
ters' Her voice broke on n sound
RI tears, and she stopped for n moment.
Er%ns desperately 70 recover herself
Then she went on moro quietly. II
fuppese, in spite of everything, | must
teem great deal changed to you: but
Y did warn YOU, and you said it would
hakc no difference. And thought
fhen saw you that VIC were Just going
r take things UP where we ,oft off.
fhat's how 1t seems as if II ought TO be
tc me, but
The Fortune Hunter made a passion
Pie gesture Of helplessness the pain
her voice angcred him, and he took
Ine only way he knew by which TO
Poothe her doubt and fcar--he put bis
lrms round her and held her fast to
| II suppose I'm afraid OF you." he
fsid, and his agitation was real enough.
suppose all the time I'm wondering
Eny II Is any one so---so-swcet as you |
Ire could even look at IA man like |
u, m not worth caring about. If you
hly knew ."
Ing him.
we said we would never speak of
again, It's all done with and for
Eotten. You're here and--I love yon,"
her voice sank to a whisper. and she
Pug her face on his breast.
L q moment tho Fortnna II,,.io. |
I.ood silent, then he deliberately put his
Eaod beneath her chin: he raised he,
ksre ana bent his head, kissing her again
n1 again passionately.
lou, too" WV
iuere vas little rapturous silence,
uHn sue looked up at him in tho moon.
Isu', neF lace radiant one" more. rNow
quite, quite happy again," she said.
'2hn, are YOU happy too"
ne pressed her head down TO his
Luouider so that she could not SOC hi,
Iace as he answered:
happier--God knows-thsn de.
ferVe TO. be-"
10 ana ma then then presently he sent her back
F.a't '{'S,i! S.vo take IKE, cold out here, and /
kotbnr pI.'chtiS lie laughed
h. H.ner nervouSly. I've got to face
nou music with your uncle tonight, you
tIo", una j want to make I'm nv mind
hand. ''N'' QUO eA"eht MI
Nothing Uncle Glenn says will make
ny ninerence to me-
QUO laughed happily. and ran away
ri III MN up the S!oping lawn.
Inc Fortune Hunter watched tiu he
yer disappear into his house, then
he road, "AN "''Aea oui aioi's
ns lace was hot, and the memory
Ia Itr Kisses burnt his lips. He fet
ma lifetime had passed since the
ohent when be sat on the side Of
on osu and made up his mind TO cs.
I'Re from tho bousc.
M no longor wanted 10 20. he
sd da.ru m TO stay more ficrcrly than be
Aver eSer wanted anything IN his ifr.
ot hnu now 1t was not for the sake of
|bnv Gmnother adventure to add TO his
eri,, Hst, not for the hope of any nm
~ i"i gain to himself, but because of
Ieck "nose arms had clung round his
II, G and whose voice bad whispered,
tEoVe you ] love you"
Inc darkness seemed to have drencncI
oyu ~ rapidly, the Fortune Hunter
Cusnt, as he strolled slowly along un
soad toward n mnss OF twinKiing
'Tis TH which indicated the village.
nd dHe httle village seemed very Quiet.
or he thick river mist hung over ,
sthlng like a gray veil. II was
et emily, too, now the sun had
%S o% ~; and the Fortune Hunter shIV.
~ little as more from force of habit
an anything he turned bis steps to.
n rp light that shone invlting,y he.
~ req blind OF tho village inn.
TIC pushed nncn tha d..