The Washington herald., 1921-09-15
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(co,ti.ued from Yesterday

(Continued from Yesterday
Tommy. creeping inquisitively up
the stairs, saw the look Of despair
on the Fortune Hunters face As he
turned away and went to his own
room. and he smiled. wen pleased.
He had never really forgiven that
affair Of the keys and the opened
box; his was q curiously twisted
sort Of nature that brooded over an
imagined wrong long after a broad
er minded person would have for
gotten all about II. and IL seemed
to him. in spite of the patched-up
peace between them. that 1t would
be rather . hne thing to get his
own back on the Fortune Hunter.
He had overheard something Of
the conversation that evening In the
study with Geontry Foster, and his
shrewd mind had already made four
out of less than two and two.
His own room was next to the
Fortune Hunters and for half the
night lying awake Tommy could
hear the sound Of restless pacing
up and down, up and down.
II was only when daylight came
that. worn out. the Fortune Hunter
threw himself. still half-dressed. on
the bed and fell into a heavy sleep.
stabbing headache, and was late for
breakfast.
Couldn't you sleepT' Tommy
asked. grinning. 'T thought I heard
you walking about the room ever
so late"
The Fortune Hunter answered
shortly:
I've got a vile headache"
He did not glance at Anne, or he
would have seen the look Of tender
concern that flashed into her eyes,
though she lowered them instantly.
She, too, had passed q wakeful
night. torn between the growing
suspicion in her heart which would
not be killed and her love for this
man. which told her that he would
never lie to her or deceive her, or
play her false.
She saw that he looked Ill, and
desperately unhappy. ana her heart
ached for him; she would have fol-
lowed him into the garden after
breakfast but that Mr.. Harding
forestalled her and called to the
Fortune Hunter TO wait for him as
he strolled on alone across the
grass.
The Fortune Hunter turned. brac-
ing himself with an effort. and Mr..
Harding laid q friendly hand on his
arm.
rs anything the matter. john"
he asked In kindly fashion. You
don't look yourself this morning"
The Fortune Hunter tried to
laugh but II was not much of a
success. and Mr.. Harding went on:
IF it's anything to do with busi-
ness, and can help you In any way
/ shall be only too pleased" he
glanced up into the young mans
hsggard face and added: II hope
you will look upon me as a friend.
II It's a question of money"
The Fortune Hunter seized des-
peratsly upon the opportunity Of
fered him
Tn afraid you've got IL, sir" he
said shakily. The fact Is, IA
draft I've been expecting hasn't
come, and I'm. I'm IN the dickens
of a mess" He laughed, more nat
urally now. TT sounds absurd, I
know" he admitted. But I've only
got s shIllings In the world"
Mr.. Harding laughed too, and
clapped him on the shoulder.
We'll, well, why didn't you tell
me? 1 can help you out, of course.
I know It's only a temporary en-
barrassment. let me see, what
was the windfall Anne told me you
scooped over those gold minesT'
The Fortune Hunter looked away.
"Roughly-a quarter of a million.
7 believe. The moneys there all
right: it's only that just for the
present L."
Say no more. understand. You
shouldn't have left yourself with
such a small margin, though. Come
along to my study, and I'll let you
have q cheQue."
They went back to the house to-
gather and Mr.. Harding unlocked
his desk and took out a check book.
How much shall we say-2,oOO
poundsT
Tn. Fortune Hunter caught his
breath with q harsh gasp. Make II
NOR. II YOU like" Mr.. Harding went
ON casually, his face bent over his
writing. Look here, I'll make 1t
500: that will see you through the
Wedding and all the rest of 1t COM
fortably-ehT
Tn. Fortune Hunter tried to fnd
HI. voics. but failed. His enormous
rsIi.t was almost outveighed by the
dr.ad knowledge that by accepting
This money he was adding to the
load Of debt and deceit he already
,arried; and yet-what could he dor
Th.rs we're but two Alternatives
20 throw up the sponge and make
.I.., breast Of everything. or go on
until he found himself trapped IN
m, network Of his own lies
with an EFFORT he forced himself
to speak.
two thousand will be ample,
.ir don't know how to thank
Won Mr.. Harding cut him
short
-rut tuti I'm only too delighted.
Ir. not as II you were never going
70 pay me back"
n. plotted the check and tore IL
from the book. There you are,
Iohn and here's 20 pounds In
notes. He laughed Fancy you
WITH only 8 shillings in your
nocketI What IN the world would
Anne say II she knew?"
He pushed the check and notes
ACROSS the desk. and the Fortune
Hunter took them up reluctantly.
IT'S more than good OF you"
he began, hoarsely, but Mr.. Harding
would not listen Nonsense! I
wish you'd come to me before. No
wonder you look worried to death.
There-run- along and md Anne"