Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-20

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"And you--you are wetssr than I
am" -
II an, going to change now"
But though he went straight to his
room the Fortune Hunter made no effort
to take of his wet clothes. Instead,
he took a bunch Of keys from his pocket
and unlocked the small drawer In the
dressing table. A small packet Of let
ters--the only belongings he had brought
TO Somerton-were tucked away under
some collars and handkerchief, and he
took them out with hands that were
not quite steady, sorting them Through
till he found faded photograph OF a
woman In the style Of dress worn thirty
years before.
For a long time he stood looking
eyes.
II can't have been mistaken. IT'S
impossible" he told himself over and
over again.
The gong for lunch rang through the
rouse, and he hurriedly put the photo
Tapn and the bundle Of papers back
the drawer and changed Ills clothes.
The rain had cleared of and wntery
sun was shining across the river as he
went downstairs.
i wonder II you quite realize how
much Fernie hates you?'
Anne''s words came back to him sig.
niicantly. Why had she said tint
was 1t something she had seen In the
cottage! Something abe had heard In
the tone of the cd mans voice? VI.
knew that her instinct was wonderful
Mt any rate where he was concerned
ana yet 1t had not been sufficiently
strong to penetrate the disguise Of his
lie tried hard to disguise his rest.
lessness during the afternoon. Bu,
he knew that Anne was quite we'll
aware OF It; knew that her brown eyes
tolowed his every movement.
Once or twice he made n half hearted
excuse to get away from her--he would
go and fetch the punt they had left at
Long End, he suggested, but she said nt
once that she would come with him.
For the first time in his life he
wanted to be by himself-to 60 back
to Fernie's cottage and find out, the
truth Of this sudden, new suspicion TINT
had been born In his mind that morn :
ing.
IL IL was true we'll. Gorrv
Cannon's optimistic words might vet be
realized, and his luck hold
! They found that Fernie had dried
tho punt and the cushions for them
and left it all ready.
That was decent of him." the For
tune Hunter said. "Ill Just 60 ani
thank him." But the cottage door
! was locked, and nobody answered his
repeated knocking.
Anne watched him silently; she saw
a nnl ~ eNr AI /.
face, and her heart sank
II wish the old chap had been in
the Fortune Hunter said, with 'as
backward glance at the cottage as he
stepped into the punt. 'It looks un-
gracious not TO thank him.
e.. "You thanked him this morning"
Anne said sharply. ''If there was any
thing to thank him for !"
Ahe Fortune Hunter made no answer
rs he pushed the punt out into thc
stream; his eyes were very bright
and there was sort Of suppressed ex
element about him Of which Anne wa,
painfully conscious.
He hardly spoke Gll the way home
he seemed to be lost in thought, but
Just rs they neared the moor!ng n
Cherry Lodge he drew the punt pole in
and came to sit down beside Anne.
He took her left hand. which wa
lying In her lap, and held it for u mo.
with little sorry expression in his eyes
Il should like TO give you rins
to wear in place OF the one you-yo
threw away this morning." he sal,
abruptly. "May I? IL was my moth
er's-"He waited, but she did no
speak, and he added, with q m!rthles,
sort of laugh, "You need not wear il
on---the third finger unless you wish.
He saw the painful color creep SLOWLY
into her face and felt her hand tremb {
rs she drew it away.
"You seem to forget that still hav,
one ring Of yours that l have never
dared 10 wear she said almost In u
whisper.
"a ang-ot Ininc?' he echoed ,stiGy
"Yes-you-oh, look - she broke off
pointing upward and shrinkage away
from him az II in sudden fear.
4 ragged looking black crow wa,
, lowering just above their heads, and a.
the Fortune Hunter glanced upward th'
bird circled round 80 low that they
could almost feel the rush Of wind made
by his wings. Then he cawed twice
three times--ao If in hcarse mockery
and flashed away down the river.
Good lord What an extraordinary
thing" the Fortune Hunter sal,
blankly. Then he looked at Anne
."Why, what is it?" he asked quickly
Don't you know what it menusr
she asked family. Don't you knoY
that there's an old superstition THAI I
4 CROW circles over any ones head an
caws three times sometlinS dreadful i,
going % happcn!. Oh. I've felt It a
4 ong--I'vr known IT.
He tried to laugh at her.
"Why, what nonsense. What car
happen? As II IT could make any, dif
ference! never thought you were
foolish, Anne."
= Her Ups trerubIed.
Don't laugh at me--pIeaac!" oh,
,a.d family. She spranS ashore no 500
as the boat touched the hank and RAJ
away to the house, the tears running
down her cheeks.
Tho Fortune Hunter was coming
down to dinner that night, when on
OF the meids crossed the hall TO him.
IAN express letter for you, sir
came IN hour ago, but I cculdn't fin
you anywhere.
The Fortune Hunter took st from tn
, tray she carried, and a wave of colo
went his face. The handwriting wn
Iren!o Claver'F. he' knew. and for
moment he dreaded onentns It ns h
: walked into tie study and. closed th
GCor.
lie had never sent her the rcmairdr
ot the money he had promised, and h
supposed 1t was 10 demand It that sh
had written.
g. The contents Of the letter were soplc
hing very different,
II hope You'll get this safely" sh
began abruptly, "aud hope It vii
80, dc O., warn yo,, tbink IN