The Washington herald., 1921-08-25
THE
FORTUNE
HUNTER
AMew, Gripping
Romance Serial
By RUBY AYRES
Ccontinusd from Ysstsrday.)

so he asked you to marry him?''
-Yes-You knew that" she said
rather painfully.
The Fortune Hunter leaned hts
back against the stone parapet and
looked at her steadily.
YOU would have done better to
have taken him and forgotten me-
ne said abruptly. Hes rich man,
and +" He broke of with a harsh
laugh.
anne made no answer. She stood
there in the rain. her hands in the
big pockets of her macintosh, her
face rather pathetic beneath the
little wooden hat She was begin
ming to realize that, although she
loved this man with every beat OF
her loyal heart, she did not under
stand him.
She knew vaguely that the past
years must have embittered him.
and yet-there were moments when
he was like a stranger to her,
man whom she was meeting for the
first time. She wanted to put som.-
thing of her thoughts into words,
to appeal to him to make her un-
confide in her and talk to her OF All
that he felt; but somehow she was
afraid.
He had written such beautiful let
ters during the years Of their sep
aration, and now IL seemed impos-
sibIe that he could ever have been
the writer. She had pictured that
theirs would be a marriage Of rnu-
tuai trust and understanding: thai
he would keep nothing from her.
that ha would pour out all his sor-
rows and sufferinRs to her: but
there had not been one word said.
Not one mention OF the tragedy
that had separated them. except
that swift denial for which she her
self had asked. She felt as II she
stood outside the wall of his trust
and confidence.
Presently she moved looking back
towards the village.
SHALL we go home?" The Fortune
Hunter spoke quickly.
You are angry with me-. he
said. as he had said once before
that afternoon. He put his hand
through her arm but now she
no longer yielded to him. She felt
stiff and unresisting. and he moved
away again with a little rougn
laugh.
You are disappointed in me-
knew you were bound to be-"
She began a swift denial. IT am
not-Johni how can you say so; it's
only ." Then she broke OF
with, a little stified cry: oh
look
A saddle horse was coming gall
looping wildly down the road that
led onto the bridge; its reins were
dangling helplessly, and the man
on its back chung in desperation
round its neck and to its name
shouting with terror stricken
hoarseness for help.
Anne screamed. for the runaway
was making straight for them on
the narrow bridge.
The Fortune Hunter thrust her
back against the parapet. Stand
there-don't move" He rushed
away from her towards the oncom-
ing horse; the ring of its hoofs
sounded like thunder on the hoi-
low bridge.
The Fortune Hunter let the horse
get level with him. then he swung
round. catching the flying bride.
running beside II.
He hung on with grim strength
not attempting at first to check the
animals speed. but making it feel
his strength and presence.
Anne hid her face. He would De
killed she thought wildly, and hoped
that she would die. too. She could
feel the hot breath Of the horse as
II snorted past her; afraid now of
its own strength; heard the ring OF
the hoofs deaden again as it crossed
the bridge and gained the roadway
once more, and then suddenly II
stopped.
She-looked up; the Fortune Hunt
er had the horse under control: he
stood beside it. patting its stream
ing neck. talking to it soothingly
The man Fernie had slipped to the
ground; he was white and shaken
he could not find his voice when
Anne rushed to DIN them.
She looked at John. You are
not hurt thought was afraid
you would be hurt"
He laughed, 1T was nothing"'
We turned to Fernie what fright
ened the poor brute" he asked
Fernie found his voice with an
effort. The Lord only knows;
cursed brute. She's never done 7,
before"
He wiped his sweating face with
a shaking hand. "wrI you lead
her back to the inn for me?" he
asked. It'll not ride her again"
They walked back over the bridge
together. the Fortune Hunter lead
ing the trembling horse, and nota-
ing more was said until they reach
ed the inn. then old Fernie. look
ing up at him. said: And who have
I TO thank for-for the fact that
I'm still alive?'
His voice was family ironica1. bur
his eyes were not unkindly as ne
looked at the young mans flushed
face.
fance. Mr.. Fernie." she said quietly.
Mr.. John Smith"
There was a moments silence,
then the old man bowed with rath-
err exaggerated courtesy.
II am pleased to meet you. Mr..
John Smith, and perhaps some day
you may Re glad to remember that
we have meteor the first time IN
such suspicious circumstances" he
said dryly.
"Fernie's a rum chap" the For
tune Hunter said. as he and Anne
were walking home again. as
queer cuss. and yet. you know.
somehow he interests me-"
fTo Be Continued Tomorrow