The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-08-15
THE
FORTUNE
HUNTER
ANew, Gripping
Romance Serial
BY RUBY AYRES
(contInu.d from Ysstsrd.y.)

Its all much more beautiful" he
said stumblingly. Il can't" He
turned and looked down at her.
But can't stay here" be went on
with a sort of rush, your uncle"
Her eyes opened wide.
why. uncle will just love to
have .you,' she said. Poor dear!
Hes been SO worried. lie never
thought you would really come at
all;7 he always said that was
wasting my time. He was ever so
angry when I would not look at
anS-any of the other men who
who" She laughed.
Well, did tell you that there
were other men. didn't I?'' she ap-
pealed. He echoed her words
slowly.
"Yes-oh. yes. You did tell me-"
But he hardly heard. He was won
dering how on earth he could ex-
plain to her, what excuse he could
make to get out Of the house and
always before the fraud was dis
covered
his agitation. She went on eager
- anu - AOAAhhy AAAC "hoN ySN
thought he was7 Poor Tommy, hes
been longing for you to come.
I've always read him bits of your
letters. and since you said you had
a bear skin for him he's talked
about II every day. You have
brought il, haven't your
The Fortune Hunter opened his
mouth to speak, and shut 1t again
with a little snap. There was a
grim amusement in his blue eyes.
oh he shall have his bear skin
all right" he, said after a moment,
and wondered how 1t was that il
John Smith had known this girl so
well and intimately he had never
before met either her uncle or the
boy Tommy.
1t was obviously a situation from
which to escape as soon as possible.
The only wonder was that he had
rot already given himself hopelessly
away. Why, he did not even know
the girls surname, or the place
from which he himself was sup
posed to have come.
He ran a nervous finger round
the inside of his collar. He felt as
II he could not breathe.
Can't we go out in the garden?"
ne asked abruptly.
This rooms so hot
He knew 1t was not; the room
was deliciously, cool and filled with
the soft river breeze, but IL felt
like a prison from which he longed
% escape
She led the way on to the lawn,
and the Fortune Hunter followed;
he glanced down at his ill-htting
suit and laughed.
will the neighbors be shocked?"
he asked. Anne turned and
laughed.
NO one can see US; this house
is very secluded. See how lovely
the trees are
Her voice softened shyly. John
those willows"-she pointed to a
ciump of graceful willows bending
their branches down to the flowing
river-"what do they remind you
Of? Aren't they like" She broke
off. waiting for him to supply the
missing word
With every step he knew he was
treating on a mine. The sense of
danger and discovery angered him
What a fool he had been to
carry things so far; II was unlike
MS anu SN1OHS
ness.
He echoed her words with an
effort. Aren't they like?" He
slipped a hand suddenly through
her arm, drawing her close to his
side. You tell me what they are
like" he said.
Her head dropped a little and he
Lad to bend to catch her shy
words.
'Tt was in a place like that-near
some willows just like that-when
you first kissed me-
There was a little silence; then
the Fortune Hunter said, rather
shakily: We'll, supposing 1 kiss
you again"
She gave a little laughing pro-
test. "Oh. someone will see US.
Oh. and that's uncle calling"
The Fortune Hunter released her
with a little vexed laugh as Mr..
Harding came across the lawn to-
ward them.
Tive told them to have dinner
early" he said. beaming upon them
both. I'm sure you must be hun
CRY. John-may I call you John?
We've talked about you by your
Christian name for years, haven't
we. AIMEE"
She nodded. flushing sensitively.
And I've been telling Tommy
that he was pulled out of the river
by his future Srother-in-law," the
old man went on cheerily, "and he's
20 excited he can hardly contain
himself" His-eyes twinkled as he
looked at the man standing silently
beside Anne.
Let ME see. wasn't there to be a
bear skin?' he asked.
The Fortune Hunter found his
voice with an effort.
Yes; we've just been talking
about 1t. Tommy shall have his
kin al! right
He looked around desperately.
Il think if my clothes are dry"
he began.
NY dear fellow, you're not
thinking of goIng?" Mr.. Harding
broke out in concern. why, we've
seen nothing of you; you are going
to. stay with US. thought it was
all arranged-didn't you tell me so,
Anne, my dear?'
Yes, IL thought so, buff
John does not want to stay 9.
IT'S not that / don't want to
stay" he said in a rough sort of
voice. "But-I've no things with
ne II left all my luggage in
I.opdon. aud I'm MOTIVE ro1ghed
1t So" He broke on, stammer-
ing -,. r-
Mr.. Harding thumped him on the
back. a. d laughed
Pooh! That's all right! Were