The Washington times., 1922-12-29
The Story of an Adventurer, Who
Finding a Body in the Woods, Had
the Identity of the Dead Man
"Wished Upon" Him.

she said wildly. IT suppose l
ought to be willing to die rather
than say what I must say, but I
can't help IT, I love you. I
thought when I knew-that II had
all gone--forever; that you had
killed everything ever felt for
you: but it's not true; I love
you: I'll give up everything for
you IL you won't leave me. l
don't care what you've done: I
don't care what anyone says; L"
She swayed weakly against him.
"Oh. John. have a little pity; have
a little pity"
The Fortune Hunter stood with
his arms stiffly at his sides. and
when at last he answered his
eyes looked over her bowed head
into the silent room.
JUST A VAGABOND.
"You don't know what It means
il I take you. I've no money, not
shilling. and I've stolen two
thousand pounds from Mr.. Hard
ing. It's got to be repaid IL IT
takes me to the end OF my life"
His voice broke. but he struggled
on again: MY dear, you don't
know what II means. I'm no
body, a wanderer, a vagabond.
It's sweet OF you--wonderful-
and I adore you for II, but-I'm
not worth II. And besides, you'd
never forget-all that's past.
Whatever told you, you'd
be thinking that I've lied to'you
many times before. 1t would
always be there-between us-the
past. God knows I'd give my
right hand to wipe it out, but I
can't. You know that-we both
know IT,"
She drew back step from him.
III you loved me all this would
not matter" she said.
IT'S because love YOU / know
il can never be-" he answered.
III I am willing TO take the
risk" she faltered.(
He shook his head: his lips were
trembling too much to speak.
She wrung her hands. "If it's
only the money. John, don't let
it stand between US. l have my
own. and it's yours-oh, so glad
ly."'
Anne. for Gods sake"
"If it's only that you are
afraid for my sake what people
will say. I tell you I don't care!
They say bitter things-cruel
things-years ago when you"
She broke off. the tragedy of it
all striking home 10 her afresh,
and for a moment neither Of them
spoke. Then the Fortune Hun
ter said hoarsely.
Which OF US do you love,
Anne? Is it me? Was II ever
me? I've longed so many times
to ask you. II knew, somehow
thinss-wouldn't be 30 hard l.
oh. I know I've no right to ask
you.'
She drew long breath and the
faintest smile trembled on her
lips.
"If you could both be here now
you and-and he" she said slow.
ly, land I had to choose, 1t would
be you-you always. Even-even
-" and her eyes fell as the color
rose slowly to her white cheeks
"even though married him."
The Fortune Hunters arms went
out to her, but fell again hopeless
". What was the good? They
had got to part. Every nerve in
his body told him that this thing
could never be. Why prolong Il?
Why not cut out his aching heart
once and for all? He turned blind.
ly to the door. II must go
/"
John" There was such a world
OF passionate reproach in her voice
that he stopped with a .stifflcd
eroan. and she went on, sobbing
now, as II her heart was broken:
"And count nothing, nothing.
I suppose! It doesn't matter that
I've offered myself to you. that
let my pride go Oh, II you ever
cared for me at all. you can't be
so cruel. Life's 80 short a few
years. and II won't matter to any.
one who YOU were. or 10 we loved
each other: but, now-oh, haven't
7 borne enough?"
The Fortune Hunter turned slow.
ly and looked at her: then he came
back to where she stood and put
his arms round her, pressing her
head to his breast.
Don't. don't! II breaks my
heart. I'm not worth a tear, not
-