Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-21

thcltlng estern lie.
voice was less calm. and there was n
deeper flush in his face. ~ know that
behind my back you've been plotting
and planning to ruin me, and | know
that you've been more successful than
you ever hoped. $50 You needn't think
that I'm here tonight because I'm In the
least afraid Of you-a dozen men like
you wouldn't scare. me into moving
yard II / didn't choose to--I'm here to
tell you something rather interesting
about yourself-and me ="
Indeed ~ Fernic's voice was inso
lent. He blew a cloud OF smoke casu-
ally into the air. Something interest
ing-eh-not by any chance that your
name isn't John Smith, now, is it?"
"No-I'm not wasting any time tell
ing you things you know already"
ITS not by any chance" the old
man went on--'that the man who died
In the woods six weeks ago was John
Smith. and that you've been passing
yourself off in his place ever since and
fooling Miss Harding, and taking his
money! The Fortune Hunter drew n
hard breath His hands were clenched
into fists, and 1t was with the greatest
difficulty that he controlled himself as
fernie went on in the same sneering
voice.
ITS not by any chance that you re
an impostor, Mr.. Smith Now Is It?
A vagabond impostor, who the police
will have something to say to wheu--"
lie stopped, the pipe Gathering from
his hand to the floor, as the Fortune
Hunter took a quick step forward and
caught the old mans arm in grip Of
steel. his face was as white as death,
and his eyes blazing.
And II / am an impostor, as you
say he said hoarsely; 'if / am an
tmpostor, I'm something else as well,
that concerns you more deeply. I'm
your son. do you hear? Your son I" =
And now what have you got to say to
that?'
For n moment Fernie stared up into
the Fortune Hunters passionate eyes
without moving. Then slowly the
mocking look faded and sickly pallor
back q step, his thin lips moving
though no words escaped them, his
hands shaking MS IL he had suddenly
been stricken with palsy.
When the Fortune Hunter released
for moment the silence was unbroken
save for the cracking Of the fire, then {:
II don't believe tits lie lie.
like everything else you've told since
you came here"
Tho words broke from Fernie pain.
fully. He passed n shaking hand across
his eyes then suddenly he started up.
Prove it . prove It - he almost shouted.
Coming here blackmailing me with
your cock and bull story! Prove Il,
say"
The Fortune Hunter took the framed
portrait down from the mantel- shelf and
the faded photograph from his pocket.
Look at thcm-look at them to-
gether." he said. "You told me this
morning that this woman was your
wife, and that she left you thirty years
ago. Well, she's my mother. She died
in Australia when / was seventeen"
, Old Fernie took the two portraits in
his trembling hands and looked ut them
side by side; then he let them fall
nervelessly to the rug at his feet, looking
up at the handsome face of the man
standing above him with something like
terror in his eyes. There was a long
silence.
"So-you're using this-to save your
own skin," he said ut last. And all
the vigor seemed to have gone out OF
his voice. He spoke like very old
man.
The Fortune Hunter laughed. He
took up his hat from the chair and
turned to the door.
'1'm not sure that wouldn't rather
be hanged" he said bitterly. than
owe my salvation to you. I know how
you treated my mother. know that
you'vc probably never done any one n
decent turn in your life. and I'm not
fool enough TO think you'll do me one
now, but"
Old Fernie rose to his feet : bis face
was purple with passion as he pointed
to the door.
Get out" he shouted hoarscly.
"Get out of my house, and be hanged to
you--that's all I've got to say: Your
mother was no good to mc, and you're
enough like her To-
lie never finished his sentence. The
Fortune Hunter had crossed the little
Dom in stride and was standing over
lin with clenched fists
"Say any moro and I'll brock every
bone in your miserable body" he said
savagaly. 'If I've got to be hanged
~ be hanged for something worth
while
He stood there, shaking in every
lhnb. Then with stihed exclamation
lie turned and strobe ont Of the cot
tage, samming the door behind him.
Anne came back 70 the drawing room
almost as soon as the Fortune Hunter
had left it; she looked quickly round.
"John-where is hep
Hes gone out" Tommy answered
Gone out - she echoed the words
where has he gomez"
"My dear girl! how do l know? l
saw him take his hat and coat and 20
out, that's all ! know; be went directly
you did.
Anne stood for moment, her hands
claspcd together.
"He never told me ho was going
out" she spoke the words invol-
then stood, as Tommy smiled
unpleasantly.
"You don't suppose he tells you
he's going to do, do youT'
he said nastily.
Anne walked out Of the room without
answering She was ashamed. because
lately her love for Tommy seemed 10
lave diminished.
The front door was half open, and
she went out on TO the step.
it was a chilly night, with the mel
low breath Of autumn everywhere; it
seemed unusually dark, too, and the
sky was full of heavy clouds.
Where had John gone? Her heart
was beating fast with apprehension.
Why had he not told her he was
going out She ran upstairs and took