The Washington herald., 1921-09-08
THE
FORTUNE
HUNTER
New,Gripping
Romance Serial
BY RUBY AYRES
tcoutInu.d from Yesterday,

about, dainty y-dressed women VINO
looked interestedly at him as he
stood hesitating in the entrance
uncertain as TO his next move
A porter approached dinidently.
Can be of any service to you.
zfrr'
The Fortune Hunter started
Yes, at least-there is a MISS
CIaver staying here wish 10 see
her-my name is SMITH haven't a
card. but II you will tell her-she Is
expecting me-
He spoke quite calmly, though his
pulses were racing; he thought OF
Anne. and her trust in him, and tor
moment something seemed to
tighten in his throat What would
she think of him II she could see
him now? The porter was beside
him again
That is Miss Claver on the couch
by the archway. sir.
The Fortune Hunter turned slowly
aDd looked in the direction indi-
Gated.
So that was Irenie Claver! He was
conscious Of an almost overwhelm-
ing sense of relief as he recognised
the type Of woman with whom he
had got to deal.
Handsome, we'll dressed, IL a little
too, iashily. with a rather hard face,
a little wearied in repose as IL life
had not gone too easily for her.
She was smoking a cigarette In
Iorg. slender holder, and idly turn
ing the pages of a magazine.
The Fortune Hunter went forward
slowly til he stood beside her. Miss
Claver. think?
His voice was perfectly cool and
controlled. though there was little
nervous pulse leaping in his throat.
She nodded. "Yes-go on! Your
names not John Smith, of course?'
The Fortune Hunter flushed at the
unexpected question. Does that
matter?" he asked evasively.
She shrugged her shoulders.
Not in the least" she agreed.
Please go on" She laughed self
consciously.
Tt will not sound very plausible
to you" he said. But II all hap
pened so naturally. landed in
England some weeks ago with
hardly a pound in my pocket.
tramped about the country, too glad
to be back home to think seriously
about finding work; not that I'm
fond of work-Tve always lived by
my wits The weather was fine, and
I slept here, there and everywhere-
out of doors. in barns, and got my
meals where 1 could Then. . one
day found myself at a place on the
river called Somerton-rd never
been there before. and I was going
through the woods when hidden in
the bracken. :" He paused. Dead"
ne added.
Irenie Claver WINGED, but she
made no comment, and the Fortune
Hunter went on: Il was going OF to
fetch the police when l saw a
I,ocketboox lyirg on the ground at
my feet. and I looked through II
with the idea of finding out who the
man was or omething about him.
but beyond the name John Smith
and some. . some love letters from
4 girl there was nothing of any i'm
portance. was on my way to the
police station, walking along the
river bank when / saw a boy over
balance and fall from a punt. He
couldn't swim-it turned out after
wards that he was a cripple. there
was a girl with him. E" His voice
grew strained and jerky. "She
screamed out to me to save the boy
her brother. it appeared. and.
and.
Irenie made a swift little move
mcnt with her hands.
You needn't trouble to explain
this was the girl. OF course! Anne
EIarding-you see. i know all about
her, and the brother-fsn't his name
Tommy nasty. mean little brute,
from all accounts"
The Fortune Hunter began to OBJ
iect. but she interrupted him ruth
lessly. Don't defend him. I've
never seen him in my life. but I've
heard a lot about him. Anyway. we
won't argue. .Well-you pulled
him out Of the river and went home
with them-is that it?'
Yes"
And she recognized you as.
John smith,
Yes"
Irsnie claveTs dark eyes wan
dered over the Fortune Hunters
handsome. moody face, half-mock-
ingly. half sympathetically.
Its not to be wondered at" she
said at last. she hadn't seen you
for ten years. and the likeness Is
enough to make 1t pass. You've got
4 stronger face than John had.
though" she added refiectively.
There was a little silence, then
she went on: And so you took what
the gods gave. and kept up the
game. eh? You're John Smith to
them all down there, and the girls
in love with you" The Fortune
Hunter flushed scarlet.
Il beg your pardon. but / cannot
allow yo1 to speak of Miss Harding
Ike that" he said fiercely
Perhaps I've got it wrong them"
she submitted whimsically. Per
haps ] ought to have said you're in
love with herr"
For a moment he made no an
swer. then he looked up with burn
ing. defiant eyes.
I'd give twenty years of my life
for a decent record" he said.
"Oh. She half shrugged her
shoulders It's like that, Is IT.?
That's why you're here today"
Yes"
She blew a cloud OF smoke from
her cigarette and watched 1t melt
away thoughtfu1y.